THE 500 MOST INFLUENTIAL MUSLIMS - CESD

Politicaljalili, saaedJalili is secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and the chief Iranian nuclearnegotiator. The nuclear issue is central to both Iranian domestic politics—nuclear technologyhas 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 afterformer negotiator Ali Larajani resigned. His role is pivotal in the future security of the IslamicRepublic of Iran and the success of its nuclear power program.khatami, his excellency mohammadMohammad 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 weresought by Iranian society, he remains a figurehead of the reformist movement. Khatami was electedto the first Majles al Shura and is known internationally for his proposal in 2000 promoting theUN ‘Dialogue Among Civilizations’ initiative, a movement he hoped would counter the prevailingsentiment that there was a ‘Clash of Civilizations’.rafsanjani, his excellency ayatollah ali akbar hashemiAyatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani is a reformer who served as president of Iran from 1989to 1997. He currently holds the position of head of the Expediency Council, a position designedto settle disputes between the Iranian parliament and the Council of Guardians. It is one of themost senior positions in Iranian politics as the Expediency Council has the power to dismiss theSupreme Leader.IRAQdari, harithDari is the current leader of the Sunni Ulema Union, the largest association of Sunni Muslimscholars in Iraq. He is a key figure in the movement to expel foreign troops from Iraq, and hasgiven religious sanction to many of the controversial tactics of insurgents, such as kidnapping,arguing that there is historical precedent for such practices.ISRAELsalah, sheikh raedRaed Salah is the head of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel. He is widelyrespected in the Islamic world as a spiritual leader. From 1989 to 2001 Salah also served as themayor of Umm al Fahm, an Israeli-Arab city.LEBANONhariri, his excellency saad raficSaad Rafic Hariri is the prime minister designate of Lebanon. He is a Lebanese businessman andthe son of the late Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Since his father’s assassination in 2005 he hasassumed presidency of the Future Movement. He entered parliament in 2005, and remains one ofthe most prominent leaders of the March 14th group.PALESTINEabbas, his excellency president mahmoudAbbas, also known as Abu Mazen, is the president of the Palestinian National Authority a cofounderof Fatah, and chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Considered a moderate,he advocated negotiations with Israel and initiated dialogue with Jewish and pacifist movements inthe 1970s. Much was expected of his presidency of the Palestinian National Authority and his lackof ability to offer any significant progress has diluted his influence both as a political leader andas a peacemaker. However his position ensures that he remains a central figure in global politics.haniyah, ismailHaniyah is a senior political leader of Hamas and one of two disputed prime ministers of the108