President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, has been included in The Muslim 500: The World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims 2026, an annual publication issued by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center (RISSC) in Jordan. In its latest edition, RISSC places Prabowo at rank 15, making him one of the most influential Muslim leaders in the world.
Prabowo’s name appears among the top 50 figures, a list largely dominated by scholars and heads of state. In its report, RISSC describes Prabowo as a nationalist figure who emphasizes economic development, food security, and a firm foreign policy stance.
The institution also notes that Indonesia’s policy direction under Prabowo’s leadership has the potential to shape political dynamics in Southeast Asia and even at the global level.
What Is The Muslim 500?
The Muslim 500 was first published in 2009 and has since become an annual publication that maps out 500 influential Muslims around the world. RISSC compiles this list based on a person’s level of impact—whether positive or negative—across religious, social, political, cultural, economic, scientific, and technological spheres.
Selection is conducted through social metrics, public opinion, and expert assessment. RISSC also categorizes the listed figures into 13 groups, including scholars or ulama, politicians and heads of state, religious officials, preachers, humanitarian or philanthropic figures, scientists and academics, artists, Qur’an reciters, media figures, influencers, and even extremist groups.
The individuals featured come from various regions across all continents, reflecting a wide diversity of backgrounds and fields of contribution.
Prabowo Among the Ranks of Global Leaders
Prabowo’s position at rank 15 places him alongside several key leaders in the Muslim world. The list also features Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani (Emir of Qatar), King Abdullah II of Jordan, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (President of Türkiye), and Anwar Ibrahim (Prime Minister of Malaysia).
The publication also includes prominent scholars such as Sheikh Muhammad Taqi Usmani of Pakistan and Sheikh Salman Al-Ouda of Saudi Arabia.
RISSC writes that “as a new president, Prabowo faces a major task: uniting a diverse nation while fulfilling promises of economic growth and improved welfare.” This assessment appears alongside observations on Indonesia’s economic direction and foreign policy, which are seen as opening a new chapter for Indonesia’s role in the region.
In the same report, RISSC also notes several controversies from Prabowo’s military service, including the Timor-Leste tragedy and the 1998 activist abductions, while stating that Prabowo has denied all allegations.
Indonesia’s Foreign Policy Stance Under Prabowo
Throughout his first year in office, Prabowo has consistently emphasized Indonesia’s position on the Palestinian issue. The government has repeatedly condemned Israel’s actions and supported South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Indonesia also submitted an official legal opinion reinforcing the arguments presented in the case.
Indonesia’s support for Palestine has also been evident in various global forums. At the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025, Prabowo declared Indonesia’s readiness to deploy peacekeeping forces to Gaza.
Additionally, Indonesia joined a conference initiated by France and Saudi Arabia to advance the implementation of the two-state solution. The conference’s declaration was eventually adopted by the UN with the support of 142 countries.
