THE 500 MOST INFLUENTIAL MUSLIMS - CESD

ScholarlyAsiaAZERBAIJANibrahimoglu, ilgarIbrahimoglu is a charismatic young Islamic scholar and human rights activist who is the headof a pro-Iranian Shi’a congregation in Baku and Azerbaijan’s Center for Freedom of Conscienceand Worship. Ibrahimoglu received his religious education in Qom, Iran, but also studied humanrights in Poland. This combination of Islamic and secular education is attractive for a populationthat was only recently part of the Soviet Union.pashazade, sheikh ul islam haji allahshukur hummatPashazade is not only the grand mufti of Azerbaijan, but also the mufti by election of the wholeCaucasus region. Pashazade is also the world’s only Sunni-Shi’a grand mufti, giving each groupfatwas according to their relevant madhab, reflecting Azerbaijan’s Sunni-Shi’a mix.BRUNEIbin juned, his eminence dr ustaz haji awang abd azizBin Juned is the state mufti of Brunei and a well-respected scholar that advises the government andthe royal family on matters of faith.INDIAengineer, asghar aliEngineer is a Dawoodi Bohra Ismaili. He is the leader of the progressive Dawoodi Bohra movementand a prominent Islamic scholar who is famous for his take on Islam and contemporary issues.Engineer has written many books and published articles in many international journals. He is thefounding chairman of the Asian Muslim Action Network, and of the Institute of Islamic Studies,and the Center for the Study of Society and Secularism.qaudri, professor sayid ameen mian [2009:44]Professor Sayid Ameen Mian Qaudri is leader of the Indian Barelwis and a sajjada nashin, or Sufidisciple of the Barkatiya Sufi tradition which stems from the Qadiriyyah tradition of eminent Sufimaster, ‘Abd al Qadir al Jilani (1077-1166 CE). Qaudri is also a professor of Urdu language at India’sesteemed Aligarh Muslim University.sadiq, maulana kalbe [new]Sadiq is a well-known scholar of Shi’a Islam. His aim is to break down the existing barriers betweenHindus and Muslims in India. Currently, Sadiq is also the vice president of the All India MuslimPersonal Law Board, focused on sharia law in India.INDONESIAbaswedan, anies [new]Baswedan was named one of the World’s 100 Public Intellectuals in 2008 by Foreign PolicyMagazine, as well as Young Global Leader 2009 by the World Economic Forum. Baswedan is theyoungest university rector in Indonesia. In 2007, he was selected as rector of Paramadina Universitywhich was founded by the prominent Muslim scholar, Nurcholis Madjid. Besides his role as apolitical analyst in Indonesian media, Baswedan has frequently joined international seminars andwritten papers for scientific journals, especially in the United States. He is also the research directorat The Indonesian Institute Center for Public Policy Analysis in Jakarta.gymnastiar, abdullah ‘aa gym’ [2009:48]Abdullah Gymnastiar, more commonly known as Aa Gym (Elder Brother), is Indonesia’s mostpopular preacher. With his style of modern, youthful, enjoyable preaching he has built a substantialfollowing and a media empire. He maintains a regular audience of over 80 million Indonesianswith an approval rating of close to 90 percent. Gymnastiar is both preacher and performer; heis an attractive and charismatic young man, he makes jokes, tells stories and then sings nasheed(religious songs) accompanied by lights, dry ice, and a band.101