The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (RISSC) has published the ranking of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world for 2027. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took the 40th place in it. This is the highest result among Central Asian states.
The authors of the ranking drew attention to the President's activities regarding the reforms of «New Uzbekistan», including the liberalization of the economy and the currency market, the abandonment of forced labor in cotton fields, and the improvement of relations with neighboring countries.
The report also notes the work on preserving and promoting Islamic heritage, repairing mosques, historical monuments and shrines, developing research centers named after Imam Bukhari, Imam Tirmidhi and Imam Maturidi, as well as the establishment of the Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent.
In the top 50 of the ranking, individuals are shown with specific positions. The subsequent participants are categorized by their areas of activity.
From Central Asia, the Mufti of Tajikistan Saidmukarram Abduqodirzoda, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and singer Dimash Qudaibergen also secured places in the list. Representatives of Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan were not included in the ranking.
For the first time in the ranking, five people shared the first place. This decision is linked to the «Mecca Joint Defense Pact». The report notes that this document was signed on August 7, 2026, in Riyadh between the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan.
The first place was awarded to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff of the country Asim Munir, and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The top 50 of the ranking also included New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
