THE 500 MOST INFLUENTIAL MUSLIMS - CESD

46His Excellency Mir-Hossein MousaviIranian Opposition LeaderCountry: IranDate of Birth: 2 March 1942Source of Influence: Political, AdministrativeInfluence: Foremost opposition figurein Iran and leader of the Green MovementSchool of Thought: Twelver Shi’aRank: 2010:46Mir-Hossein Moussavi is an Iranian politicalfigure who held positions such as PrimeMinister and Minister of Foreign Affairs inthe 1980s before he ran as a primary oppositionleader in the 2009 Iranian presidentialelections.Political ReformistThe heart of Moussavi’s influence in Iranlies in the political reform platform he advocatedin his bid for the presidential electionin June 2009. He gained popularityfor promising less restrictions on the flowof information in Iran, as well as revisinglaws that he saw as restrictive for women.In his foreign policy platform, Moussaviadvocated boosting Iranian national interestsby reducing tension with Westernnations.Leader of the Green Movement‘Where is my Vote?’ became the sloganof the Green Movement that gained momentumin the aftermath of Mousavvi’sloss in the presidential campaign. Millionsof protesters went out to the streetsto call for a recount and ignited a violentconfrontation with the basij forces—underthe Revolutionary Guard. Mousavvi hassince headed Green Path, an NGO whichdemands the implementation of the constitutionand political reform in Iran.47His Holiness DrSyedna MohammadBurhannuddin SahebThe 52nd Da‘i l-Mutlaq of theDawoodi BohrasCountry: IndiaDate of Birth: 6 March 1915Source of Influence: AdministrativeInfluence: 1 million Dawoodi Bohras inthe worldSchool of Thought: Traditional IsmailiShi’a, Dawoodi BohraRank: 2010:47 · 2009:45 Mohammad Burhanuddin Saheb is theleader of the Dawoodi Bohra community,which stems from the Ismaili Shi’a sectof Islam. As leader of the Bohras, he hasbeen influential in the fields of educationand the development of community institutionsin Mumbai, India and across theglobe.Absolute M issionaryMohammad Burhanuddin Saheb was appointedDa’i of the Dawoodi Bohras by hisfather who was the previous Da’i l-Mutlaq,or absolute missionary. BurhanuddinSaheb succeeded his father at the age of53. The Dawoodis are the main branch ofthe Bohras, a Musta’li subsect of Isma’iliShi’a Islam. The subsect is based in India;although the Dawoodi Bohra school ofthought originates from Yemen.Community DevelopmentMohammad Burhanuddin Saheb has beenwidely recognized by governmental andnon-governmental organizations for promotingpeace in the world. He is noted forthe construction of numerous mosques,mausoleums, and community structuresfor the Dawoodi Bohras in various parts ofthe world and particularly in Yemen.88