President-elect Prabowo Subianto has been recognized as one of the most influential Muslim figures in the world for 2025, ranking 18th out of 500 notable figures. This accolade was featured in The Muslim 500: The World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims 2025. Prabowo’s ranking surpasses other prominent global figures, including Egypt’s President Abdul Fattah Said Hussein Khalil as-Sisi.
The publication praised Prabowo’s strong nationalist leadership, focus on economic development, food security, and assertive foreign policy throughout his political career. His significant victory in the 2024 presidential election was highlighted as a key factor in his global appeal, portraying him as capable of leading Indonesia towards progress and prosperity on an international scale.
Prabowo’s military background appeals to those seeking strong governance, and his economic policies garner support from various sectors of society. As Indonesia’s Defense Minister, he has actively assisted fellow Muslims in other nations, particularly in Palestine.
In early 2024, Prabowo dispatched the Indonesian Navy’s hospital ship, KRI dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat-992, to deliver 240 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza. He also personally donated Rp 5 billion to Palestine and provided scholarships for 22 Palestinian students to study at Indonesia’s Defense University.
At the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue 2024 in Singapore, Prabowo expressed Indonesia’s willingness to deploy peacekeeping forces to conflict-ridden Gaza if requested by the UN.
As Indonesia’s incoming 8th President, Prabowo is expected to tackle the task of unifying the nation while prioritizing economic growth and social welfare. His presidency is likely to usher in changes in Indonesia’s domestic and foreign policies, potentially reshaping the country’s role in Southeast Asia and the global arena, as concluded by The Muslim 500.
