Monday, December 2, 2013

Influencing Muslims: The 500 Most Influential Muslims

 The Grand Sheikh of Al Azhar university in Cairo, Ahmad al Tayyeb, has been named the most influential Muslim in the world, according to a new survey.

2 Dec 2013 07:00 Africa/Lagos


 Influencing Muslims: The 500 Most Influential Muslims

 AMMAN, Jordan, December 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Latest annual release of 'The Muslim 500' highlights those world's most influential Muslims and highlight changes going on in the Muslim world.


2012 was the widely considered to be the high mark in the history of Islamists movements. The Muslim Brotherhood parties won both the elections in Tunisia and Egypt, Erdogan had easily won a reelection in Turkey, the Syrian government seemed to be at the heels of a collapse, mainly at the hands of Brotherhood-led rebels and the Moroccan parliamentary elections were easily won by the primary Islamists party.
     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131202/655254 )


Within one year all that has changed.
Both Islamist-lead parties in Egypt and Tunisia have been replaced, Prime Minister Erdogan faced massive protests in Turkey, and even the embattled Assad has made a military comeback and now seems closer to winning the civil war. In Bangladesh the International Tribunal Court has found many top leaders of the Islamist Jamaat i-Islami party guilty of war crimes for their roles in the 1973 civil war. In Bangladesh and Egypt the Islamist parties have been banned in some form. All over the world Islamists movements are taking a huge hit.


What a difference a year makes.
Covering these changes, and much more, is 'The Muslim 500', an annual publication of the five-hundred most influential Muslims in the world. The 2013/14 issue, edited once again by Professor Emeritus S. Abdallah Schleifer of the American University in Cairo, has just been released and is available for free download at www.TheMuslim500.com.


Decline of the Islamists
While the 2012 edition highlighted the ascent of the Muslim Brotherhood with many of their leaders shooting up the list, the latest edition records its fall. Dropped from the top of the list are the following Egyptian leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood: Dr Mohammed Badie, President Morsi, Khairat Al-Shater and the scholar Sheikh Al-Qaradawi. Also demoted was the Qatar emir Sheikh Hamad Al-Thani, a significant supporter of the Brotherhood who abdicated the throne, and Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, a vocal supporter of the MB who dropped from second to sixth.


New #1 at the Top
At the top of the list this year is Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, head of Al-Azhar, the world's largest and most revered Sunni educational institute with nearly 2 million students directly under its patronage and hundreds of schools and universities all over the world under its influence. His position essentially makes him the guardian of traditional Sunni orthodoxy. This pick marks the first time in the five years of publication that the powerful King Abdullah Al-Saud didn't make the #1 mark (he's now listed as #2). Sheikh Al-Tayyeb's leadership of this massive institute has kept him in the top 10 previously but this year Al-Azhar faced some of the biggest challenges ever to the orthodox nature of the 1,036 year-old university, considered by most to be the world's oldest continuously-operating university. Al-Tayyeb's astute decision making over the past couple of years have preserved the traditional approach of Al-Azhar which faced threats from Islamists and Salafis in the tumultuous years that have followed Mubarak's fall. His public support of General Al-Sisi's coup also gave it a strong religious grounding that was necessary for it to achieve the legitimacy needed to prevent a civil war, effectively making him a "king-maker" and cementing his place at the top of the list.


New additions
Amongst the list of new additions to the list are Malala Yousufzai, the teenage advocate for women's education; President Hasan Rouhani, the new president of Iran; Nawaz Sharif, the new Prime Minister of Pakistan; Dr Bassem Yousef, the "Jon Stewart of the Middle East"; Habib Lutfi Yahya, a popular Indonesian preacher; Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, the leader of a growing Shia movement in Nigeria; Nouman Ali Khan, the popular American preacher, and dozens more.


Changes
The 2013/14 edition also added a new section; 'Major Events' that provides a timeline of the major events that have taken place over the past year. They also announced that publishers from Turkey and Indonesia will be translating and publishing this issue of The Muslim 500, making it accessible to a large number of non-English speakers.


How Influence is Measured
Determining influence can be quite difficult. Aftab Ahmed, Editor-at-large of the publication states that it "is of course the most challenging aspect of the publication, and the one where opinions diverge the most. Influence can sometimes be gauged on a quantitative basis, the number of people influenced, the number of books written, the amount of sales etc., but more often it is related to the qualitative and lasting effect of that influence." In fact the publication differs quite a bit from other annual lists in that the achievements of a lifetime are given more weight than achievements within the current year. This means that the list of names changes gradually, rather than dramatically, year-on-year.


Criticisms
Each year the publication generates a ton of both praise and criticism, some of which comes simply misunderstanding the book's purpose. Some have mistakenly understood that the list considers piety as a main criteria or that the publication supports each individual. However Ahmed noted that "impact can be either positive or negative, depending on one's point of view of course. The selection of people for this publication in no way means that we endorse their views; rather we are simply trying to measure their influence. The influence can be of a religious scholar directly addressing Muslims and influencing their beliefs, ideas and behaviour, or it can be of a ruler shaping the socio-economic factors within which people live their lives, or of artists shaping popular culture."


Another critique of the publication is that the top of the list is dominated by political and religious scholars. Ahmed responded to the critique by noting the tremendous impact heads of states have in many Muslim countries, saying "their dominant and lasting influence cannot be denied, especially the rulers, who in many cases also appoint religious scholars to their respective positions."


This doesn't discount the significant amount of influence from other sectors of society. The publication selects Muslim individuals from a range of categories of influence, thirteen in total: Scholarly, Political, Administration of Religious Affairs, Preachers and Spiritual Guides, Philanthropy/Charity and Development, Social Issues, Business, Science and Technology, Arts and Culture, Qur'an Reciters, Media, Celebrities and Sports Stars and Extremists.


About The Muslim 500
This publication sets out to ascertain the influence some Muslims have on the Muslim community, or on behalf of the community. Influence is: any person who has the power (be it cultural, ideological, financial, political or otherwise) to make a change that will have a significant impact on the Muslim world (there are 1.7 billion Muslims in the world today, making up approximately 23% of the world's population, or over one-fifth of mankind). Over the past few years The Muslim 500 has been covered by major international news media outlets such as the Huffington Post, NPR, the Guardian, The Washington Post, Foreign Policy, Reuters, and more. It is published each year by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre based out of Amman, Jordan.


Press Contacts
Besim Bruncaj,
Outreach Manager for TheMuslim500.com
Email: info@rissc.jo

Related Links
http://www.TheMuslim500.com
http://www.rissc.jo

CONTACT: +962-(0)65344672


Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
2 Dec 2013
14:48 Frost & Sullivan: Growth of Beverage Production in Sub-Saharan Africa Stokes Demand for ACS
13:39 Frost & Sullivan: Growth of Beverage Production in Sub-Saharan Africa Stokes Demand for ACS
13:03 L'opérateur nigérian PPC choisit le satellite EUTELSAT 10A pour accroître ses ressources en bande C au service des secteurs du pétrole et du gaz
13:00 PPC of Nigeria Selects EUTELSAT 10A Satellite to Boost C-band Resources for the Oil and Gas Sector
07:00 Influencing Muslims: The 500 Most Influential Muslims Influencing Muslims: The 500 Most Influential Muslims
1 Dec 2013
14:00 Elton John AIDS Foundation and Mylan Give $1 Million to Nigeria for the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV
30 Nov 2013
00:49 UN AGENCY WELCOMES SELECTION OF TWO FEMALE NEGOTIATORS FOR COLOMBIA'S PEACE TALKS
29 Nov 2013
20:18 Homosexualité et religion en Afrique subsaharienne
03:12 Oando Energy Resources provides an update on the acquisition of ConocoPhillips Nigerian business and amends loan agreement with Oando Plc
28 Nov 2013
00:31 AfDB Board commits US $113 million to Regional Rusumo Falls Hydropower Project
27 Nov 2013
16:51 Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc.(1) Announces Performance Data And Portfolio Composition
10:52 E-learning : LA BAD et l'Université virtuelle africaine misent sur l'enseignement en ligne
06:43 Nigeria and UK Sign Energy Pathways Calculator Agreement
00:49 AfDB Launches the 2013 African Economic Outlook in Khartoum, Sudan
26 Nov 2013
17:16 ICIS Reports that Asian LNG Prices Surge Amid Fierce Winter Competition
14:49 Trend Analysis Scan: Synovus Financial, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Facebook Inc, J.C. Penney Company, Citigroup
13:00 Bristow Group To Present At The Cowen And Company Third Annual Ultimate Energy Conference
11:59 Lord West Speaks on Snowden at the Security in Challenging Environments Week
06:35 Lincoln University Alumni Group Seeks to Bring Jobs And Tourism to Chester County!


submit to reddit

Sunday, December 1, 2013

South Korean Feature Film Shot On Smartphone To Hit Theaters

When Park Chan-wook showcased 'Night Fishing,' the Berlinale-winning short, shot with a smartphone in 2011, the South Korean filmmaker realized Spike Lee 's 2008 prediction that "within five years, new movies will be ..


 
 
submit to reddit

Thursday, November 28, 2013

BIAFRA: The Untold Story in Pictures


(wrong original caption) Major-General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi head of Nigeria's new Federal Military Government and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, in Lagos, Nigeria, Jan. 25, 1966.


1000_demonstrators_protest at 48th Street and Park Avenue in New York, Aug. 18, 1968. The marchers came from an interfaith service at St. Thomas Episcopal Church at 53rd St. and F street


A Biafran doctor hands out cups containing the daily ration of powdered milk to a line of children at a refugee camp in Anwa, Biafra, Aug. 5, 1968


A federal Nigerian soldier holding an anti-tank bazooka is seen covering the end of the Aba-Umuahia road where Biafran troops hold positions, Sept. 21, 1968.


Original Caption: An Ibo soldier captured by Nigerian troops near Owerri in Biafra throws up his hands in anguish as his captors tell him he will die as a traitor, Sept. 1968.

Biafra Declaration 30th may 1967


Biafran women and children outside White House in an effort to see first lady Lady Bird Johnson Oct 5 1968 about starving countrymen back home in war-torn Biafra


Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu at Nigerian-Biafran peace talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where the Emperor Haile Selassie is chairman of the committte Aug 5 1968


Company of Biafran soldiers leave their positions to advance on a Nigerian position 100 yards away during the Aba offensive, Aug. 1968.


Federal Nigerian police push back crowds of demonstrators outside the French Embassy in Lagos, Nigeria, Sept. 16, 1968 - They were demonstrating against French assistance to Biafra


John Lennon & Yoko Ono displaying letter from Lennon to British PM Harold Wilson, Nov. 25, 1969. The letter explains John Lennon's reasons for returning his Order of the British Empire, OBE medal - British support of America in Vietnam & involvement/support of Nigeria against Biafra


Jubilant Nigerians in the capital city of Lagos cheer as they read of the surrender of the rebel Biafran forces, Jan. 12, 1970.


Major General Yakubu Gowon at Dodan barracks, stands before a map of Nigeria as he tells reporters at a press conference that the war will be over in 4-8 weeks - Sept 13 1968


New head of state Lt. Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu in Enugu shortly after the declaration of independence and formation of the new state of Biafra, June 10 1967 takes the oath of office.


Wounded soldier attended by Igbo medic Biafra Nigeria 1968


9 yr old Igbo albino clutching an empty corned beef tin Biafra, Nigeria. April 1968
Why has there been an outcry against brutalities committed in Rwanda, Darfur, Liberia, South Africa, etc....and yet no one has been held accountable for the atrocities deliberately committed against these innocent children?

A young mother breast feeds her five-month-old baby boy while holding her starving four-year-old daughter, near Anwa, Biafra, Aug. 5, 1968.The daughter died a few hours later


Belgian Mercenary Marc Goosens Killed during a Nigerian attack on Onitsa, Biafra Nigeria Nov 1968


Catholic Mission Food Distribution Biafra Nigeria April 1968
It breaks my heart to recall the huge sacrifices that these young men made for a cause that they believed in. The lame leading the blind.


Cinematographer Raymond Depardon Biafra, Nigeria August 1968 by Gilles Caron


Igbo officer addressing one of his dead soldiers Biafra Nigeria April 1968
When you look at these photos you will realize that the Biafra story is yet to be fully told


Igbo Soldier Biafra Nigeria Nov 1968 by Gilles Caron
He is probably a teenager or in his early 20s. How greed and raw wickedness deprived so many of their youthful innocence.

Igbo 'soldier' carrying a wounded comrade Biafra Nigeria April 1968
These are boys...and yet when we talk about African child soldiers no one ever seems to refer to the first...Biafran boys!

Igbo Soldiers, Biafra Nigeria April 1968


Igbo Soldiers, Biafra Nigeria April 1968


Igbo Soldiers retreating, Biafra, Nigeria April 1968


Igbo Soldiers, Biafra Nigeria April 1968


Igbo Victim of the civil war, Biafra, Nigeria, July 1968


Makeshift Ambulance on the frontline Biafra Nigeria April 1968
 

Sixteen-year-old Ibo boy, Biafra, Nigeria, 1968
 

Starving Igbos, Biafra, Nigeria July 1968



Wife of a Nigerian Officer burned alive Biafra Nigeria April 1968


The Biafran Cabinet at a Church service, on the extreme right is the late Sir Louis Mbanefo- former Supreme Court Judge and Judge of the World Court


1968 - A Biafran soldier in the bush on alert before the invasion of Abagana


1969, at parade to celebrate the Second Independence Anniversary of Biafra; General Effiong is fourth from left; General Ojukwu, Head of State, is fifth from left


1969, Major General Philip Efiong returning from a visit to a refugee camp in Nto Edino in present-day Akwa Ibom State

August 29, 1968 - Folk singer Joan Baez and rock singer Jimi Hendrix chat between acts at a Biafran Relief Benefit show at a place in Manhattan called Steve Paul's Scene.


Biafran child soldier said to be about 13, and one of the Onumonus, and former French Legionnaire Rolf Steiner awaiting orders


End of the Nigerian civil war. Major-General Gowon (left) shakes hands with Lt-Colonel Phillip Effiong (right).


End of the War; In the true spirit of African reconciliation, kola nut is shared; General Efiong, extreme right, takes a piece


Owerri, Biafra -Lt. Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu, leader of secessionist Biafra, announces introduction of new currency and postage stamps, officially issued on January 29th 1968


Nigerian Troops firing artillery gun in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, during the Nigerian Civil War. Col Benjamin Adekunle is seen here with left hand on the artillery gun.
Biafra The will for Independence

Biafran soldiers at the frontline during the Nigerian Civil War

From FFSA
Federation of the Free States of Africa
Contact 
Secretary General
Mangovo Ngoyo

Email: africa.federation@gmail.com 
www.africafederation.net

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ON THE TRUE STORY OF BIAFRA.



 
From the legendary author of Things Fall Apart—a long-awaited memoir of coming of age in a fragile new nation, and its destruction in a tragic civil war

For more than forty years, Chinua Achebe has maintained a considered silence on the events of the Nigerian civil war, also known as the Biafran War, of 1967–1970, addressing them only obliquely through his poetry. Now, decades in the making, comes a towering account of one of modern Africa’s most disastrous events, from a writer whose words and courage have left an enduring stamp on world literature. A marriage of history and memoir, vivid firsthand observation and decades of research and reflection, There Was a Country is a work whose wisdom and compassion remind us of Chinua Achebe’s place as one of the great literary and moral voices of our age.



 
submit to reddit