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 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Educational institutions in Mangaluru that rely on the popular Mangala Stadium for their annual sports events are bracing for an inconvenience as the city's key sporting venue is set to close its gates for a significant upgrade. The stadium is expected to be unavailable for approximately two months starting from January 15, 2026.

The closure is necessitated by a proposed overhaul of the stadium's facilities, with a special focus on upgrading the synthetic track. Pradeep Dsouza, Assistant Director of the District of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Dakshina Kannada, confirmed the development.

"Experts have visited the stadium, conducted a thorough inspection, and have given the go-ahead for a complete makeover," Dsouza stated. "Funds have been allocated for the project, and we are currently awaiting the final green signal from state officials to commence the work. We anticipate that the work will likely begin in the second week of January. Consequently, we have stopped renting out the stadium to colleges and other organizations in preparation for the upgrade."

The timing presents a logistical challenge for colleges, as many schools have already concluded their sports meets.

"Colleges will now be organizing their events and will need to find alternative locations to host their sports meets," Dsouza added. He suggested a few potential venues, including the Dakshina Kannada police ground, University College grounds, Panambur grounds, Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, and the Mangalore University sports grounds in Konaje.

However, many institutions note that finding a comparable venue will be difficult. While the DK police ground and University College grounds are closer to the city center, they do not possess the extensive facilities and infrastructure offered by Mangala Stadium.

Dr. P Dayananda Pai - P Satisha Govt First Grade College, Carstreet, is one such institution dependent on the stadium. Principal Jayakar Bhandary expressed hope for a swift completion of the work. "We expect the work to be completed at the earliest. If not, we will be forced to look for other venues to host the sports day for our students," Bhandary said, highlighting the pressing need for the city's main sporting facility.

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News Network
December 1,2025

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Udupi, Dec 1: A horrific case of alleged rape has unfolded in Udupi, where a worker from a Hindutva organisation, previously arrested and released on bail for harassing a young woman, is now accused of waylaying and sexually assaulting her.

The arrested individual has been identified as Pradeep Poojary (26), a member of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike's Nairkode unit in Perdur.

Poojary had allegedly been relentlessly harassing the young woman, pressuring her to marry him. When she bravely stood up to him and refused his demands, she filed a formal complaint at the Hiriyadka police station. He was subsequently arrested in that initial harassment case but was later granted bail.

According to police reports, driven by the same malicious grudge, Poojary allegedly intercepted the woman again on November 29. While she was walking through a deserted area, the accused is claimed to have threatened her by grabbing her neck. When she again refused to marry him, he allegedly proceeded to rape her.

The survivor immediately informed her family about the traumatic assault. Following this, her parents lodged a complaint at the Udupi women’s police station.

Police arrested Poojary again and produced him before the court. He has since been remanded to judicial custody.

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