The 500 Most Influential Muslims - The Royal Islamic Strategic ...

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Political
jalili, saaed
Jalili is secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and the chief Iranian nuclear
negotiator. The nuclear issue is central to both Iranian domestic politics—nuclear technology
has become somewhat of a goal for Iran—and international geopolitics, as many countries,
particularly Israel and the US, are wary of further nuclear proliferation. Jalili was brought in after
former negotiator Ali Larajani resigned. His role is pivotal in the future security of the Islamic
Republic of Iran and the success of its nuclear power program.
khatami, his excellency mohammad
Mohammad Khatami is a reformist politician who served as president of Iran from 1997 to 2005.
Although he was ineffective at bringing around many of the changes from his mandate that were
sought by Iranian society, he remains a figurehead of the reformist movement. Khatami was elected
to the first Majles al Shura and is known internationally for his proposal in 2000 promoting the
UN ‘Dialogue Among Civilizations’ initiative, a movement he hoped would counter the prevailing
sentiment that there was a ‘Clash of Civilizations’.
rafsanjani, his excellency ayatollah ali akbar hashemi
Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani is a reformer who served as president of Iran from 1989
to 1997. He currently holds the position of head of the Expediency Council, a position designed
to settle disputes between the Iranian parliament and the Council of Guardians. It is one of the
most senior positions in Iranian politics as the Expediency Council has the power to dismiss the
Supreme Leader.
IRAQ
dari, harith
Dari is the current leader of the Sunni Ulema Union, the largest association of Sunni Muslim
scholars in Iraq. He is a key figure in the movement to expel foreign troops from Iraq, and has
given religious sanction to many of the controversial tactics of insurgents, such as kidnapping,
arguing that there is historical precedent for such practices.
ISRAEL
salah, sheikh raed
Raed Salah is the head of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel. He is widely
respected in the Islamic world as a spiritual leader. From 1989 to 2001 Salah also served as the
mayor of Umm al Fahm, an Israeli-Arab city.
LEBANON
hariri, his excellency saad rafic
Saad Rafic Hariri is the prime minister designate of Lebanon. He is a Lebanese businessman and
the son of the late Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Since his father’s assassination in 2005 he has
assumed presidency of the Future Movement. He entered parliament in 2005, and remains one of
the most prominent leaders of the March 14th group.
PALESTINE
abbas, his excellency president mahmoud
Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, is the president of the Palestinian National Authority a cofounder
of Fatah, and chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Considered a moderate,
he advocated negotiations with Israel and initiated dialogue with Jewish and pacifist movements in
the 1970s. Much was expected of his presidency of the Palestinian National Authority and his lack
of ability to offer any significant progress has diluted his influence both as a political leader and
as a peacemaker. However his position ensures that he remains a central figure in global politics.
haniyah, ismail
Haniyah is a senior political leader of Hamas and one of two disputed prime ministers of the