There are over 1.6 billion Muslims in the world, and they make up around 23% of the world population. The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center has compiled their third annual list of the 500 most influential people out of this enormous population.
Among the company of royalty and multi-billionaires, Mos Def (now going by Yasiin Bey) has made this year's list of the most influential Muslims in the world. Here's how his entry reads:
Mos Def (born Dante Terrell Smith) is a hip-hop artist who has recently become more popular for his acting career where he received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. He is noted for his stance against the misinterpretation of the Qur’an.
The only other two Americans to make the list under the category of "Celebrities & Sports Stars" are Muhammed Ali and Kareem Abdul-Jabar.
Read the entire list here.
[Muslim500 viaTheNarcicyst]
Leila Galoul December 14th, 2011 at 05:01 PM
Really I'm shocked a man who does not pay his child support. A Muslim who marries different women in different states & countries introduces them to Islam & says its his right to have more then one wife. Then dumps the old one for the new one! I'm just saying as a Muslim re-vert I want to vomit at this news. Who did the survey and was the Islamic Thelogian to discuss this! The state of Islam or should I say hislam. Sisters dont believe they hype Ameen
Leila Galoul December 14th, 2011 at 05:02 PM
Really this is sick. That is all I have to say has any body asked his baby mommies if he's a good Muslim ?
chill_gg December 14th, 2011 at 06:36 PM
relax leila, u can say the same shit any other person in the planet doent matter about religion, its about being a good person despite the religion
Costenya December 14th, 2011 at 07:23 PM
Wow it's unfortunate that the writer, reporter feels that Dante Smith-Mos Def-Yasiin Bey can even be associated with the likes of legendary Muhammad Ali or Kareem Abdul Jabaar! Yes, Chill_gg, it is about being a good person with morals despite the religion. To me a good man would never sleep around have babies only days, or a month apart & then be so selfish to not even make time fir his own children! A good person would put his children first, despit his many islamic or civil marital affairs & not have his kids taken care of by other people. A good Muslim man makes sure that all wives & children are wellcared for & want for nothing, otherwise they stop procreating in ever state they do a show in or visit. Islam or Hislam unfortunately is a crutch for these new age Muslim brothers. They need to retread the Quran & discuss with their Imam. Inshallah
Leila Galoul December 14th, 2011 at 07:37 PM
Inshallah sis Islam is about Love like most religions we have all lost faith. Simple kindness, knowledge & understanding in sha Allah
Leila Galoul December 14th, 2011 at 07:33 PM
Do you know him personally to judge. And here the discussion it about Islam . Please don't use suck language
Blah blah December 14th, 2011 at 08:58 PM
There are other Americans on the list beyond the celebrity section. In fact one very influential white californian convert makes the top 50, sheikh hamza yusef. Get your facts straight.
Blah blah December 14th, 2011 at 09:13 PM
...and dr. nasr is another who cracked the top 50. I imagine there are a number more within the 500. I know this kind of stuff shouldn't bother me considering the source but it's so sloppy that I feel it needs to be highlighted. The writer didn't even look through the list as nationality is stated clearly. It's unfortunate because it only enhances the notion that magazines like Complex are incapable of meeting even the basic criteria of reporting.
Ajdin December 14th, 2011 at 09:14 PM
I think the key word in the title is "influential"
Blah blah December 14th, 2011 at 09:41 PM
So influential is only making movies and playing sports?
Yasin Khalid December 15th, 2011 at 09:06 AM
Im a Muslim and i think this is a joke for golden globe to start make nominations for the best Muslim it ain’t right are U serious What Makes Him the most Influential Muslim give me five reasons why he is