the 500 most influential muslims - The Royal Islamic Strategic ...

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SHEIKH AHMAD TIJANI ALI CISSE
Leader of the Tijaniyya Sufi Order
Sheikh Ahmad Tijani Ali Cisse is the spiritual leader of the
Tijaniyya Sufi order. The Tijaniyya is the largest Sufi order
in Western Africa, and its leader commands a following of
close to 100 million people, who see him as their guide to
the true Islam.
Leader of Tijani Muslims
Cisse is based in Senegal, however Tijani Muslims are located
throughout Western Africa and further afield. As an
order, Tijanis give allegiance to their sheikh giving him
significant influence as a leader. Cisse is installed as Imam of the Grand Mosque in Medina
Baye, which is one of Western Africa's key positions of Islamic leadership.
Descendant of Ibrahim Al Tijani, Leader of the Fayda Tijaniyya (Spiritual Flood)
The Tijaniyya is a Sufi order founded by Ahmad al Tijani Hasani, an Algerian, in the late
18th century. As the spiritual leader of the Tijaniyya, Cisse is considered to be the bearer of a
spiritual inspiration called the Fayda Tijaniyya, giving him authority to carry on the teachings
of Ahmad al Tijani Hasani. Because of this position, some Tijani Muslims refer to him as the
reviver of the sunna.
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SHEIKH AL HABIB UMAR BIN HAFIZ
Director of Dar Al Mustafa, Tarim, Yemen
Sheikh al Habib Umar bin Hafiz is well known for his
prophetic lineage and status as one of the most influential
Sufi scholars alive today. His influence through scholarship
and preaching is vast in Indonesia and East Africa. He is
also incredibly influential through his leadership of the
Ba'Alawi movement.
Cultivator of Scholarship
Habib Umar founded and runs Dar al Mustafa, a center
for traditional Islamic scholarship that currently hosts an
array of international students, in Tarim, Yemen. He has
joined the ranks of the world's leading Muslim academics
Country: Senegal
Date of Birth: 1955
Source of Influence: Lineage,
Scholarly
Influence: Spiritual leader
of around 100 million Tijani
Muslims
School of Thought: Traditional
Sunni, Sufi, Tijani
Country: Yemen
Date of Birth: Not Available
Source of Influence: Scholarly,
Lineage
Influence: Runs one of the
foremost centers for Islamic
education in the world
School of Thought: Traditional
Sunni, Shafi'i
and scholars as a signatory of 'A Common Word Between Us and You', a document that builds
bridges between the Muslim and Christian community. He has also spoken at Cambridge
University on the need for such a dialogue.
Humanitarian
In July 2008, Habib Umar partnered with Muslim Aid Australia as founder of Yemen-based
NGO Al Rafah Charitable Society to address issues of poverty and hunger and lack of sufficient
health care that affect areas of Tarim.
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