For Islam 3 people that were very important were
-Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)
-Prophet Isa
-Prophet Nooh
(All prophets in Islam are important these are just examples)
In the Arab Empire was
The pharaoh (although he was an enemy he had impacted on the Arabs this was in egypt)
The Elephant people (this was also in Islam)
Those are the only examples I can think of as of right now! :) good luck!