the top 50 fit into six broad categories: 12 are political leaders (kings, generals, presidents), four are spiritual leaders (sufi shaykhs), 14 are national or international religious authorities, three are "preachers", six are high-level scholars, 11 are leaders of movements or organizations. in total 72 americans are among the 500 most influential muslims, a disproportionately strong showing, but only one among the top 50, sheikh hamza yusuf hanson of zaytuna institute listed at number 38.