Doha, Qatar: The 2026 edition of 'The Muslim 500: The World's 500 Most Influential Muslims' published by Jordan's Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre has recognised Executive Director at Qatar Foundation's Al-Mujadilah Center and Mosque for Women and Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at Georgetown University in Qatar, Dr. Sohaira Siddiqui as one of the leading voices influencing the global Muslim community.

Published annually, 'The Muslim 500' honours individuals shaping the global Muslim community across diverse fields such as politics, religion, education, science, technology, culture, and social life.

In the 2026 edition, Dr. Siddiqui has been recognised in the Social Issues category which celebrates those driving meaningful change through social impact, advocacy, and human rights.

She appears alongside distinguished women, including South Africa's former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor, and the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed.

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On this occasion, Dr. Sohaira Siddiqui said,“I am deeply honored to be included among The Muslim 500 alongside so many remarkable men and women whose work continues to uplift and transform our communities. This recognition is a testament not only to my personal journey but to the vision and commitment of everyone at Al-Mujadilah. Our work is driven by the belief that women's spaces of faith, learning, and leadership are essential to the flourishing of the Muslim Ummah. I hope this honor shines a light on the vital role women play in shaping the intellectual and spiritual life of our communities.”

The 2026 edition of 'The Muslim 500' highlights Dr. Siddiqui's leadership as the founding Executive Director of Al-Mujadilah - the first purpose-built mosque and centre dedicated exclusively to Muslim women, as well as her seminal academic contributions to Islamic legal theory and political thought.

Recently, Dr. Siddiqui published her latest book, 'Islamic Law on Trial: Contesting Colonial Power in British India', which challenges long-standing assumptions about the effects of colonialism on Islamic law and tradition. Her broader scholarship explores issues of gender, authority, and participation in Muslim societies, with a particular focus on law under colonial rule and its implications today.

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