President Ali featured among influential Muslim leaders in The Muslim 500

President Dr Irfaan Ali has been featured in the 2026 edition of The Muslim 500: The World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims, under the category of Political Caribbean Leaders.
According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) report on Thursday, the annual publication, produced by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre based in Amman, Jordan, highlights individuals who have made significant contributions and exerted meaningful influence within the global Muslim community.
It spans several fields, including politics, scholarship, philanthropy, social development, science, and culture.
President Ali appears on page 157 of this year’s edition.
According to the article, “A development economist by training, his administration has seen unprecedented growth due to Guyana’s emerging oil sector. He emphasises inclusive development and has promoted interfaith harmony in one of South America’s most religiously-diverse countries. Dr Ali represents a rare instance of Muslim political leadership in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
Now in its 16th year, The Muslim 500 assesses the impact of leaders who shape the socio-economic, cultural, and political lives of Muslims worldwide.
With more than 2.1 billion Muslims across the globe – over a quarter of the world’s population – the publication focuses on those whose influence extends beyond borders, whether through governance, scholarship, or humanitarian work.
This year’s edition also honours the men and women of Gaza as its Persons of the Year.
During Ramadan Village 2024, an initiative of President Ali, Guyanese responded to his call and donated over $110.8 million to support Palestinian refugees through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
On behalf of the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) and the Director of Education of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), Sheikh Moeen ul-Hack, congratulated President Ali and said: “This well-deserved and timely recognition highlights your remarkable leadership as the first Muslim President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and your steadfast commitment to inclusive development, interfaith harmony, and national transformation.”
The President was in September featured in TIME Magazine’s 2025 TIME 100 Next list, which recognises the world’s most influential rising stars.