SINGAPORE: Former President Halimah Yacob is included in The Muslim 500: The World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims, 2026, which was compiled by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in Jordan and published on Oct 20.
The list, now in its 17th year, defines influence as the power, whether cultural, ideological, financial, political, or otherwise, to bring about change with a substantial impact on Muslims or the Muslim world.
Mdm Halimah has been on the list every year since 2018, her first full year as President of Singapore. From 2018 to 2023, she was in the top 50, reaching her highest rank of 33rd in 2023. While she did not make the top 50 in 2024 and 2025, she is part of the 450 who received honourable mentions.
This year’s Person of the Year was given collectively to the people of Gaza. “By honouring them as The Muslim 500’s Man and Woman of the Year, we affirm that their struggle is not theirs alone, but belongs to all who believe in human dignity, freedom, and the right to live on one’s land. Their resistance—rooted in faith and love for family, community, and homeland—will remain an enduring testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a rallying call for generations to come.”
In pole position on this year’s top 50 list is the Emir of Qatar, followed by prominent scholars from Pakistan and Yemen. The King of Jordan, the Presidents of Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates are also in the top 10, as is Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is ranked tenth.
Madam Halimah
The former President of Singapore is included in the category of Social Issues.
“As President, she promoted initiatives for supporting a cohesive society, strengthening interfaith, and recognising all workers who contribute to Singapore’s growth. She has a strong international profile, regularly meeting world leaders. She entered politics in 2001 and, a decade later, was appointed Minister of Community Development, Youth and Sports, and later on Minister of Social and Family Development. She was elected Speaker of Parliament in 2013, becoming the first woman to hold the post,” her entry reads.
Singapore’s Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, the only Singaporean to be awarded a fellowship on civilisational dialogue by ICESCO, is in the same category as Mdm Halimah. The list recognises his foundation, which strongly supports educational causes, including scholarships to university students. The writings of the academic, who has been awarded the national appreciation plaque by the President of Singapore, were also mentioned.
The other Singaporeans on this year’s list are the Ambassador to Kuwait and Special Envoy of the Minister for Foreign Affairs to the Middle East, Zainul Abidin Rasheed (Scholarly); Syed Hassan bin Muhammad bin Alattas (Preachers and Spiritual Guides); Mohamed Faizal Mohamed Abdul Kadir (Philanthropy, Charity and Development); and Jackie Y Ying (Science and Technology). /TISG
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