EqualityX has unveiled its first Global 100 Influential Muslims list, recognising Muslim professionals whose leadership, achievements and influence are making an impact across industries, communities and wider society.
The 2026 list marks the first time EqualityX has brought its recognition programme together on a single global platform, replacing the previous regional approach covering Europe and the Americas. EqualityX, which was founded to celebrate Muslim talent and encourage more inclusive workplaces, said it received hundreds of nominations from dozens of countries for this year’s recognition.
From those nominations, 100 individuals have been selected from across professions, industries, sectors, ethnicities and cultures. The organisation said nominees were assessed on their achievements, influence and wider contribution, with supporting evidence expected to demonstrate measurable impact over the previous 12 months.
CELEBRATING MUSLIM LEADERSHIP GLOBALLY
EqualityX has recognised Muslim professionals since 2022, but the 2026 list represents its first worldwide programme. The organisation said the move is intended to ensure Muslim talent and influence are recognised regardless of geography and to highlight the breadth of Muslim achievement globally.
“The Global 100 Influential Muslims celebrates the extraordinary breadth of Muslim achievement around the world. This year’s honourees come from all walks of life – across professions, industries, sectors, ethnicities and cultures – but they are united by the impact they are making,” said Dr Zaheer Ahmad, CEO of EqualityX. “We want to celebrate that impact, but also use these stories to inspire the next generation to think bigger, aim higher and see what is possible.”
EqualityX says those selected are professionals who are creating meaningful impact within their industries and wider society, while also helping to strengthen representation and more inclusive workplace cultures.
REPRESENTATION AND VISIBILITY
The global expansion also comes amid continued discussion around representation, progression and belonging for Muslim employees in workplaces around the world. Recognition initiatives can play an important role in increasing the visibility of professionals whose achievements may otherwise receive less attention, while providing younger generations with a broader range of leadership role models.
For employers, however, representation at senior and influential levels is only one part of the picture. Creating genuinely inclusive workplaces also requires organisations to examine whether Muslim employees have equitable access to opportunity, progression, workplace networks and environments in which they feel able to belong and succeed.
The inaugural Global 100 Influential Muslims 2026 will be celebrated at an EqualityX event hosted in partnership with Morgan Stanley in London on 23 September 2026. The event will bring together honourees, leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals and allies from across different sectors.
TOP 100 GLOBAL INFLUENTIAL MUSLIMS 2026
Top 100 Global Influential Muslims by country, include:
United Kingdom
- Dr Aaliya Goyal, NHS
- Aftab Khan, Apex Associates LLP
- Ahsan Gulabkhan, Oman Air
- Aisha Hossain, SELHAYA
- Ansar Ahmed, Salesforce
- Ash Ahmad, Changing Mindsets
- Asma Nafees, NHS AGEM
- Atia Lokhat, Zubeda Welcome
- Azhar Iqbal, Equity Law Chambers
- Burhan Ali, Muslim Ski Club
- Bushra Ahmed, Various Board Advisory Roles
- Darnish Amraz MBE, Birmingham City Council
- Diana Hysenaj, Mlegal
- Dr Tanvir Alam, Asian Professionals National Alliance
- Farah Khan, AI Pertinence
- Hira Ali, Advancing Your Potential
- Karim Chowdhury, Nedbank Private Wealth
- Khadija Sulaiman FRSA, West Midlands Police
- Mahmud Nawaz, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Maryaa Bibi, Arden University
- Moawia Bin-Sufyan MBE, Governor Investments – Care After Combat
- Mohammed Asad MBE, Birmingham Central Mosque
- Mohammed Rahman, CultivIQ Ltd
- Mohammed Zafran BEM, Crimestoppers
- Monica Shafaq, ReeAliyne Ltd
- Muminah Koleoso, Freelance Creative
- Naveed Sharif, Lancashire & south Cumbria NHS FT
- Nazia Khatun, Fitness Reborn
- Ridwan Choudhury, Morgan Stanley
- Ruqaiyah Jaffery, Accenture
- Sabina Hafesji, NHS Muslim Women’s Network
- Sadia Ramzan, The Muslim Women Travel Group
- Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
- Dr Sahira Dar, BIMA
- Salma Bi BEM, Sporting Pathways CIC
- Salma Maqsood, Porter Dodson
- Sana Butt, DLA Piper
- Sara Javid, NHS England
- Shiraz Khan, MRIS Executive Education Advisory
- Shohail Shaikh, London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
- Syed Rahim, CUBE Network
- Tahreem Noor, Humanitarian and Fundraiser
- Tokeer Ahmed, Capgemini
- Yasar Ahmad, OVDLab
- Zahra Niazi, Equalities, Cohesion and Integration
United States
- Aaisha Hamid, Alliant Insurance Services
- Dr Asif Sadiq MBE, Warner Brother Discovery
- Professor Intisar Rabb, Harvard Law School
- Izaba Paras, Paras Consulting Group
- Dr Maliha Hashmi, MNH KSA
- Nadia Ahmad, Walgreens
- Nazma Khan, World Hijab Day Organisation
- Riz Ahmed, Actor
- Sarah Khan, The Communication Lab
- Shafaq Jameel, Marsh
- Sofia Haq, Muslim Women Professionals (MWP)
- Tariq Farid, BroadPeak Investment Group
- Wendy Díaz, Author and Educator
Australia
- Dr Saira Ali, University of Adelaide
- Jamal Hakim, Hakim Consulting
- Shahram Akbarzadeh, Deakin University
- Tasneem Chopra OAM, Founder – The Culture Lens
Canada
- Imran Khan, Entrepreneur
- Jahanzaib Ansari, Knockri
- Nabeela Elsayed, Nabeela Elsayed Consulting
- Samia Sami, Electric Power Engineers
Egypt
- Mahmoud Taha, Central Bank of Egypt
Germany
- Fuad Harzallah, Deen@Work
India
- Fathima Hiba, Creative & Copy
- Sajjad Jafri, Muslim Business Federation
- Shehzia Lilani, Surge Climate Talent
Indonesia
- Dr Hurriyah El Islamy, HGC Firm
Ireland
- Dr Omar Tujjar, International Society of Medical AI
Jordan
- Professor Rana Dajani, The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD)
Kenya
- Mariam Ali, Women Entrepreneurs Africa (WEA)
Malaysia
- Nor Masliza Sulaiman, CIMB Investment Bank
Netherlands
- Ahmed Larouz, Bridgizz
- Raisa Ghazi, Raisa Ghazi llc
Nigeria
- Hassan Usman, Buraq Capital
- Ismail Rufai, One17 Financial Services Limited
- Mubarak Akintola PHD, University of Ilorin
Pakistan
- Ali Ahmed, Standard Chartered Bank
- Bilal Bin Saqib MBE, Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority
- Prof. Imam Uddin, Institute of Business Management
Saudi Arabia
- Eiman Raza, EY
- Muhammad Jameel Yusha’u, Islamic Development Bank
- Muna AbuSulayman, UN Migration Agency
Singapore
- Ahmadul Hoq, Bitsmedia
- Fara Abdullah, Vokal.ai
- Imran Rahim, Gateway Law Corporation
South Africa
- Nazareen Ebrahim, Founder – Naz Consulting International
Sweden
- Ahmed Abdirahman, Järvaveckan
UAE
- Abdul Raheem Hafeez, GEMS First Point School
- Farkhanda Yasmin, UAE Government
- Salman Khalid, BNP Paribas
TOP 10 MUSLIM NETWORKS 2026.
Earlier this year, EqualityX also revealed this year’s top Muslim Networks. They include, in alphabetical order,
- Hachette UK: Muslim Employee Network
- HSBC: Islamic Society
- IQVIA: Multi Faith Network
- Morgan Stanley: Muslim Faith Forum (EMEA)
- Netflix: Muslim @ Netflix
- EY: EY Muslim Community (EYMC) / EY Muslim Network (EYMN)
- Network Rail: Multi Faith
- NHS: Muslim Women’s Network
- Salesforce: Faithforce (Interfaith ERG)
- Springer Nature: Muslim Employee Network
Click here for more information.
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