AP Ustad, Shabana, Aamir, Owaisi, Premji, AR Rahman among world's 500 influential Muslims

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October 13, 2015

New Delhi, Oct 13: Music composer A R Rahman, Sunni cleric AP Ustad, industrialist Azim Premji, actors Shabana Azmi and Aamir Khan have made it to the list of 500 Most Influential Muslims In The World this year.

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AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi also made it to the list. Other Indians who have made it to the list include religious scholars and spiritual leaders.

Though India has world's second largest Muslim population, only 22 could enter the list of “The Muslim 500: The World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims” this year.

Mufti Muhammad Akhtar Raza Khan Qadiri Al-Azhari and Maulana Mahmood Madani are the only two Indians among the top 50.

The names of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and B S Abdur Rahman have been mentioned under Obituaries. They were in the list of world's 500 most influential Muslims last year.

The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (RISSC) in Amman, Jordan has named the 500 most influential Muslims in the world.

The report is compiled by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in Amman, Jordan, in cooperation with Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University in the United States.

The list consists of a top 50 section and the remaining 450 are divided into political, scholarly, administration of religious affairs etc.

This year's list is out and here is how the Indian Muslims have fared:

Indians in the Top 50 influential Muslims list:

1) Mufi Muhammad Akhtar Raza Khan Qaadiri Al-Azhari, leader of the Indian Barelwis and considered by his followers as the Grand Mufi of India.

2) Maulana Mahmood Madani, Leader and Executive Member of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind.

Most influential Scholars from India:

1) Allamah Zia Al-Mustafa, Islamic scholar of the Barelwi movement in India.

2) Wahiduddin Khan, co-founder of Goodword, publisher of children's books.

3) Rabey Hasani Nadvi, president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board.

4) Bahauddeen Muhammed Jamaluddeen Nadwi, founding fathers of Darul Huda Islamic University.

Most influential politicians from India:

1) Dr Mohammad Umar Farooq, chairman and founder of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference.

Most influential in terms of Administration of Religious Affairs from India:

1) Sheikh Aboobackar Ahmad, also known as AP Aboobackar Musliyar and AP Ustad, the General Secretary of the All India Muslim Scholars Association.

2) Sayyid Ibrahimul Khaleel Al-Bukhari, founder of Ma'din Islamic Academy.

3) Maulana Shakir Ali Noorie, President of Sunni Dawate Islami (a non-political religious organization).

4) MP Janab Asaduddin Owaisi, President of All India Majlis-eIttehadul Muslimeen.

Most influential preachers & spiritual guides from India:

1) H. Hazrat Allama Maulana Qamaruzzaman Azmi, founder of Al-Jame-atul-Islamia.

2) Arsad Madani, President of the 86-year old Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind.

3) Professor Sayid Ameen Mian Quadri, leader of the Indian Barelwis and a sajjada nashin, or Suf disciple, of the Barkatiya Suf tradition.

4) Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, spiritual leader of 2-5 million people living in 100 countries.

5) Sheikh Dr Taika Shuaib, head of the Arusiyya branch of the Qadiri Suf order.

Most influential in terms of Philanthropy, Charity & Development from India:

1) Azim Premji, Indian business tycoon and philanthropist who is the chairman of Wipro Limited.

2) Maulana Badruddin Ajmal Qasmi, prominent businessman in India who runs the Ajmal Group of Companies

Most influential in terms of Art and Culture from India:

1) Shabana Azmi, winner of the National Film Award for Best Actress five times.

2) Aamir Khan, UNICEF brand ambassador, promoting child nutrition.

3) Allah Rakha Rahman, composer, record producer, and musician.

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News Network
December 7,2025

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Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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News Network
December 4,2025

Mangaluru: Chaos erupted at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) after IndiGo flight 6E 5150, bound for Mumbai, was repeatedly delayed and ultimately cancelled, leaving around 100 passengers stranded overnight. The incident highlights the ongoing country-wide operational disruptions affecting the airline, largely due to the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms for crew.

The flight was initially scheduled for 9:25 PM on Tuesday but was first postponed to 11:40 PM, then midnight, before being cancelled around 3:00 AM. Passengers expressed frustration over last-minute communication and the lack of clarity, with elderly and ailing travellers particularly affected. “Though the airline arranged food, there was no proper communication, leaving us confused,” said one family member.

An IndiGo executive at MIA cited the FDTL rules, designed to prevent pilot fatigue by limiting crew working hours, as the cause of the cancellation. While alternative arrangements, including hotel stays, were offered, about 100 passengers chose to remain at the airport, creating tension. A replacement flight was arranged but also faced delays due to the same constraints, finally departing for Mumbai around 1:45 PM on Wednesday. Passengers either flew, requested refunds, or postponed their travel.

The Mangaluru delay is part of a broader crisis for IndiGo. The airline has been forced to make “calibrated schedule adjustments”—a euphemism for widespread cancellations and delays—after stricter FDTL norms came into effect on November 1.

While an IndiGo spokesperson acknowledged unavoidable flight disruptions due to technology issues, operational requirements, and the updated crew rostering rules, the DGCA has intervened, summoning senior airline officials to explain the chaos and outline corrective measures.

The ripple effect has been felt across the country, with major hubs like Bengaluru and Mumbai reporting numerous cancellations. The Mangaluru incident underscores the systemic operational strain currently confronting India’s largest carrier, leaving passengers nationwide grappling with uncertainty and delays.

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News Network
December 4,2025

Udupi: A 40-year-old NRI from Udupi has reportedly lost more than Rs 12.25 lakh in an online investment scam operated through Telegram.

According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, Leo Jerome Mendonsa, who has been working in Dubai for the past 15 years in computer accessories sales, maintains NRI accounts in Karkala and Nitte.

On November 12, 2025, Mendonsa was added to a Telegram group called Instaflow Earnings by unknown individuals. Users identified as Priya and Dipannita persuaded him to invest in “Revenue Tasks.” Initially, Mendonsa transferred Rs 1,100 multiple times and received the promised returns, encouraging him to continue.

On November 14, another user, Nishmitha Shetty, directed him to register on a website, digitvisionuoce.cc, and invest Rs 4 lakh in various shares. Over the next few days, he made multiple transfers totaling Rs 12,25,000, including Rs 50,000 via Google Pay, believing the scheme was legitimate.

After receiving the money, the alleged handlers stopped responding, and neither the invested amount nor the promised profits were returned.

The CEN police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are ongoing.

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