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

DEVELOPMENT
BOSNIA
mahmutcehajic, his excellency prof. dr rusmir
Mahmutcehajic is the president of the International Forum Bosnia, and a former vice president of
Bosnia-Herzegovina. He has been incredibly important in efforts to heal the ethnic, religious and
social divisions that happened as a result of the Bosnian War in the mid-1990s. His projects are
some of the most successful at producing real healing between communities. He works particularly
in his hometown of Stolac, which is one of the most deeply divided towns in Bosnia.
BULGARIA
hadzhi, his eminence mustafa alish
Hadzhi is Bulgaria’s chief mufti. Bulgaria has recently been referred to as 'Istanbulgaria' because
of the importance of Turkish-Bulgarian relations. Hadzhi is important as the leader of the Muslim
community in a predominantly Christian state with a large influx of Muslims. Bulgaria’s mufti,
Mustafa Alish Hadzhi, has recently been in the news because of a decision to prevent the building
of a new mosque, and is taking the case to the EU.
FINLAND
ismail, atik
Ismail is a famous former professional footballer and a Tatar community leader in the city of
Kuopio, Finland. He regularly speaks on television to explain the indigenous brand of Islam of
his Tatar community, and debate exponents of more radical interpretations of Islam. He is well
received by the Finnish public who can identify with him.
GERMANY
rieger, abu bakr
Abu Bakr Rieger is the chairman of the European Muslims Union, which aims to be an umbrella
organization for various institutions and area entities that serve the broader Muslim community
in Europe. He is also the editor of the ‘Islamische Zeitung.’
GIBRALTAR
sasri, mohamed
Mohamed Sasri is the president of the Moroccan Workers Association and an advocate of social
justice and equality for the Muslims of Gibraltar and immigrant workers in particular. He has been
active in the fight for more rights in regards to unemployment benefits for all workers.
SPAIN
escudero, dr mansur a
Escudero is secretary general of the Islamic Commission of Spain, which is outspoken against terrorism
perpetrated in the name of Islam, and is a founding member of multiple Islamic institutions
in Spain. He gained international attention when he lobbied for permission for Muslims to pray at
the former Great Mosque at Cordoba in 2007.
TURKEY
benli, fatma
Fatma Benli is a Turkish lawyer and women’s rights advocate, specifically known for her advocacy
of Turkish women’s right to wear the hijab. Benli is also the vice president of the Women’s Rights
Association against Discrimination (AKDER). Benli has become especially influential recently due
to the continued legal battles on hijab permissibility at universities.
UNITED KINGDOM
azmi, waqar
Waqar Azmi founded the British Federation of Racial Equality Councils and is currently the
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