More than a dozen prominent nationals who head up Qatar’s sports, finance and culture hubs have been ranked in the 100 Most Powerful Arabs 2015 list by Gulf Business.

Seven of the 15 Qataris in the index made it to the top 50, including familiar faces Hassan Al Thawadi, secretary general of Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organizing committee (11th); Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways (21st); and Sheikha Al Mayassa Al Thani (29th), chairperson of Qatar Museums.

Al Thani’s mother and chairperson of Qatar Foundation, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, follows close behind at 34th.

To arrive at the list, GB ranked business people of Arab descent according to various spheres of influence, including financial capital, human capital, expansion plans and personal fame levels.

Politicians and royalty were excluded unless they had an “unassailably strong leaning towards corporate activity,” such as Qatar’s Minister of Energy & Industry, Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada (27th).

Qatar list

This appears to be the first time so many nationals from Qatar have made it to the list, which has ranked Saudi Arabia’s Prince Alwaleed bin Talal as the most powerful Arab in the world for the fourth year running.

Given Saudi Arabia’s size, the index stated that it wasn’t surprising that most of the entrants on the list originate from the kingdom (about 28 percent).

Notably, however, the UAE came second with 25 percent, and Qatar third, at 15 percent.

Here’s the full list of Qataris:

Thoughts?