Muslim Mirror, in partnership with the Minority Media Foundation, has unveiled its much-awaited list of the “100 Most Influential Indian Muslims of 2024.” This annual initiative honors the outstanding contributions of Indian Muslims across diverse fields, highlighting their leadership, resilience, and societal impact on a national scale.
The list serves as a counter-narrative to the often-negative portrayal of Muslims in mainstream media. By celebrating the accomplishments of Indian Muslims, Muslim Mirror seeks to showcase their vital contributions to the nation’s progress, challenging stereotypes perpetuated by politically biased media outlets.
Spanning the length and breadth of the country—from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Assam to Gujarat—the list represents achievers in politics, religion, activism, literature, entrepreneurship, sports, academia, and entertainment. Efforts were made to include individuals from various sects and walks of life, reflecting the community's rich cultural and social diversity.
The list includes politician Asaduddin Owaisi, cricketer Mohammed Shami, and spiritual leader Maulana Saad Kandhalvi. It also highlights several prominent women, such as journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani, journalist Rana Ayyub, former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, and tennis star Sania Mirza.
Jailed activists Gulfisha Fatima and Sharjeel Imam are also featured in the list of 100 Influential Muslims, with their inclusion reflecting an "accused, not convicted" approach that underscores the principles of justice.
Particular emphasis has been placed on recognizing young achievers to inspire future generations of leaders.
The selection process involved extensive consultations with grassroots representatives and experts from various fields across India. The list, presented in alphabetical order, avoids any ranking to ensure fairness.
“We strived for accuracy and inclusivity, but recognize the possibility of unintentional exclusions. Readers are welcome to suggest deserving individuals for the 2025 list,” said Syed Zubair Ahmad, founding editor of Muslim Mirror. To maintain transparency, members of the Muslim Mirror team and the Minority Media Foundation were excluded from consideration.
The “100 Most Influential Indian Muslims of 2024” is a tribute to the resilience, talent, and leadership of the Indian Muslim community. It not only celebrates their achievements but also fosters a sense of pride and inspiration, encouraging further contributions to the nation’s growth.
This evolving initiative continues to shine a light on the remarkable accomplishments of Indian Muslims, setting a foundation for even greater milestones in the future.
