President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has entered the list of the "500 most influential Muslims in the world," The Muslim 500 newspaper reports.

The publication notes that Shavkat Mirziyoyev carried out gradual reforms, including limiting the powers of the security services, encouraging foreign trade and investment and granting greater political freedom. He sought to improve relations with neighboring countries, as well as with the United States, China and Russia.

The first place in the ranking was taken by the King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, under whose responsibility the annual Hajj is held, the press service of the Office of Muslims of Uzbekistan reports.

Earlier it was reported that on August 18, Shavkat Mirziyoyev performed umrah (small Hajj) in the main shrine of Islam - the city of Mecca, where he was awarded a special honor - he entered the Kaaba, the doors of which open only in exceptional cases for distinguished guests. Shavkat Mirziyoyev performed the tawaf rite seven times, that is, the circumambulation around the Kaaba, as well as seven walks between the Safa and Marva hills.