The 2017 edition of 'The Muslim 500', the publication chronicling 500 most influential Muslim personalities in the world, has listed President Muhammadu Buhari, Emir of Kano, Alhaji Mohammad Sanusi, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and many others as 500 Most Influential Muslims in World in 2017.


President Buhari was listed as number 17th in the publication while Sultan of Sokoto and President of the NSCIA, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar occupies the 22nd position.

National Missioner and Chief Imam, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdulrahman Ahmad was the new entrant in the list.

His name was listed alongside the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Mohammad Sanusi, the Secretary General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede and former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola who had earlier made the list.

Many other renowned African clerics including Khalifa Sheikh Mohammad (Kenya), Sheikh Muhammad Aboulai Cheba (Mozambique) and Mufti Ismaila Musa Menk of Zimbabwe also made the list.

They were all recognized by their contributions to their various communities through the promotion of religious understanding and engendering harmony among adherents of Islam and people of other faiths.

The publication specifically acknowledged how Imam Ahmad, as the National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen, a 93-year old Islamic Society, has promoted spiritual development of the Muslim Ummah.