THE 500 MOST INFLUENTIAL MUSLIMS - CESD

1HIS MAJESTY KING ABDULLAHBIN ABDUL AZIZ AL SAUDKing of Saudi Arabia, Custodian of the Two Holy MosquesKing Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al Saud of theKingdom of Saudi Arabia, Custodian of the Two HolyMosques is the most influential Muslim in the world.Saudi Arabia is geopolitically important as the mostpowerful Arab nation in the region. King Abdullah alsogarners influence globally for Saudi Arabia’s internationalrole as an exporter of crude oil and refined petroleumproducts.Custodian of the Two Holy MosquesKing Abdullah has significant influence in the globalMuslim community through his custodianship of thetwo holy sites of Mecca and Medina. Mecca is the mainpilgrimage site for 1.5 billion Muslims—of which 2.4million fulfill their religious obligation annually.Country: Saudi ArabiaDate of Birth: 1 August 1924Source of Influence: Political,Administrative, LineageInfluence: King with authorityover 29 million Saudis, aprox.2 million Hajj pilgrims andover 15 million Umrah pilgrimsannuallySchool of Thought: ModerateSalafiRank: 2010:1 · 2009:1Controls World’s Largest Oil ReservesKing Abdullah reigns over a land of massive crude oil reserves—Saudi Arabia has approximately25 percent of the world’s proven oil reserves—making him a key player in the globalpetroleum industry.Controls Largest Da’wa NetworkKing Abdullah is also head of the most extensive da’wa network of missionary Muslims in theworld, promoting the Salafi brand of Islam. Salafism is historically rooted in Saudi Arabia,and owes its global spread to financial backing from the Saudi Royal Family.ReformerKing Abdullah has proven his domestic influence in Saudi Arabia through his ability to enactmultiple landmark reforms to fight corruption, balance the Saudi budget, tailor the educationsystem, address women’s and minority rights, engage in interreligious diplomacy as wellas tackle problems in the justice system. He has:Appended the Baya Council; a 38-man family council to legitimize the process of choosingsuccessors to the Saudi throne.Cleaned up corruption in the Saudi Royal Family.Increased the representation of minorities in Saudi governance, including increasedShi’a representation in the Shura Council.Given women a voice and increased their social participation.Taken educational administration out of the hands of religious leaders and gave authorityinstead to the educational establishment.Presented a $10 billion endowment for the King Abdullah University of Science andTechnology.Systematically replaced hard-line Salafi judges with moderate leaders in the Saudi courtsystem. Employed personal interventions within the justice system—in particular regardto marriages.28