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Khaled Mashaal
Leader of Hamas
Country: Palestine
Date of Birth: 1956
Source of Influence: Political
Influence: Leader of approximately
1000 members in military wing of
Hamas
School of Thought: Sunni, Muslim
Brotherhood
Rank: 2010:38 · 2009:37 �
Khaled Mashaal became the leader of
Hamas after the assassination of Sheikh
Ahmad Yaseen in 2004. Mashaal is the
head of Hamas’s Syrian political bureau
and is the international representative for
the Palestinian resistance to the Israeli occupation.
Fighter for Social Justice
Since becoming head of Hamas, Mashaal
has seen the organization through multiple
attempts at a roadmap to peace and a
major Israeli siege of the Gaza Strip.
Pioneer
Mashaal has been recognized for his persistence
with Hamas’s efforts—at present
leading in exile from Syria. His determination
is combined with a unique effort at diplomacy.
Mashaal has shown a willingness
to negotiate with Israel to return to the
1967 borders and grant Palestinians a right
of return, while importantly implying the
necessary existence of the State of Israel,
despite Hamas’s historic denial of that possibility.
Mashaal has been one of the most
direct, and candid leaders in dialogue and
confrontation with Israel and this has garnered
international recognition.
39
Professor Dr M Din
Syamsuddin
Chairman of the
Muhammadiyah, Indonesia
Country: Indonesia
Date of Birth: 31 August 1958
Source of Influence: Scholarly, Administrative,
Development
Influence: Over 28 million members in
the Muhammadiyah organization, 5,754
affiliate schools, and 5 Islamic universities
School of Thought: Modernist Sunni
Rank: 2010:39 · 2009:35 �
As chairman of the second largest socioreligious
organization in Indonesia, as well
as a leader of the Indonesian Ulema Council,
Din Syamsuddin influences the Muslim
world on various fronts.
Social Welfare
The Muhammadiyah is often described as
a social welfare entity. Syamsuddin is involved
with the health and social welfare
efforts of the organization. The Muhammadiyah
runs numerous medical clinics
and hospitals across the Indonesia.
Leader of a Conservative Shift
Syamsuddin is vice general chair of the
Indonesian Ulema Council. His opposition
to religious pluralism has guided his
work, taking the Muhammadiyah on a
more conservative track, with an emphasis
on ijtihad (individual interpretation of the
Qur’an) and Hadith.
Advocate of Education
Syamsuddin has recently extended scholarships
for students to study at the Muhammadiyah
universities in Indonesia.