Professor Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif

Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, was born on the 3rd of Safar, 1365 AH (January 6, 1946) in the village of Qurna, west of Luxor, to a distinguished and honorable family renowned for its knowledge and piety, with lineage tracing back to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He was raised in the presence of his father, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Tayeb (may Allah have mercy on him), and memorized the Quran in his youth. He mastered many scholarly texts following the traditional Azharian method. He later joined the Esna Religious Institute, then the Qena Religious Institute, and then the Department of Creed and Philosophy at the Faculty of Usul al-Din in Cairo, graduating with distinction in 1969. He was appointed as a teaching assistant at the college.
In 1971, he obtained a master's degree in the Department of Creed and Philosophy, followed by a Ph.D. in the same department in 1977. In 1977, he went on a scholarly mission to the University of Paris in France, where he stayed for six months and became fluent in French, translating from French to Arabic. He was promoted to professor in 1988 and was appointed dean of the Faculty of Islamic and Arabic Studies for Boys in Qena in 1990. He then became the dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies for Boys in Aswan in 1995.
He taught at several universities in the Islamic world, including in Riyadh, Doha, Al-Ain, and Islamabad. He was appointed dean of the Faculty of Usul al-Din at the International Islamic University in Pakistan in the academic year 1999/2000. Dr. Al-Tayeb served as the Grand Mufti of Egypt from March 2002 to September 2003. He was then appointed President of Al-Azhar University from September 2003 to March 2010. In March 2010, he became the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. He also holds leadership positions such as the Head of the Supreme Council of Al-Azhar, the Higher Council of Al-Azhar, the Religious Committee of the Egyptian Radio and Television Union, and the Board of Trustees of the Egyptian Zakat and Charity Fund, among many other memberships in various scientific and academic councils, associations, and institutions.
He has authored numerous works, including: The Essentials of Islam, Ethics and Values, Searching for Peace, The Critical Aspects of the Philosophy of Abu al-Barakat al-Baghdadi, Studies on Existence and Essence from the Book Al-Mawafiq: An Overview and Study, An Introduction to the Study of Ancient Logic, Researches in Islamic Philosophy (co-authored), and Commentary on the Theological Section of the Book of Tahdhīb al-Kalām.
Here is the English translation of the extended biography and achievements of Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar:
Many of his scholarly articles have been published in peer-reviewed academic journals, including: "The Foundations of Dialectical Theology in Al-Ashʿarī", "Heritage and Renewal: Discussions and Responses", "The Foundations of the Theory of Knowledge in Al-Ashʿarī’s Thought", and "The Concept of Motion between Islamic and Marxist Philosophy."
Among his critical editions is his work on “The Correct Transmission-based Evidence Concerning the Nature of Intellect” by Abū al-Barakāt al-Baghdādī, accompanied by a French-language introduction and published in the journal of the French Scientific Institute in Cairo.
He has also presented numerous research papers at academic conferences and seminars, including: "Reflections on the Allegation of Quranic Distortion Attributed to the Imami Shia", "The Necessity of Renewal", and "The Slandered Sheikh Mustafa Abdel Raziq."
His Translation Work:
His translations from French into Arabic include:
• The French prefaces to the Concordance of Hadith Terms.
• Osman Yahya's “Histoire et classification de l'œuvre d'Ibn Arabi”, translated into Arabic as “The Works of Ibn Arabi: Their History and Classification.”
Al-Azhar's Global Standing:
Al-Azhar holds a prestigious global position across Eastern and Western nations due to its long-established history, moderate methodology, and vital role in Islamic consciousness. It remains deeply engaged in societal and global issues, actively promoting peace, fraternity, and justice. Al-Azhar stands as one of the most significant pillars of Egypt’s soft power both nationally and internationally.
From the very beginning of his tenure as Grand Imam, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb has been committed to reviving and reinforcing Al-Azhar’s global leadership, ensuring the institution fulfills its mission of promoting moderate Islam across the world, despite facing immense regional and global challenges.
Key Initiatives and Leadership Milestones:
• He has chaired the Muslim Council of Elders since 2014, aiming to unify the Islamic Ummah in support of citizenship, coexistence, and counter-extremism efforts.
• He modernized the education of international students at Al-Azhar by establishing the Center for the Development of International Students’ Education, serving over 40,000 students from 110 countries.
• He oversaw the establishment of numerous Al-Azhar institutes across Africa.
• Under his leadership, the North African Universities Union opened its regional headquarters at Al-Azhar University.
• He convened major international conferences with high-level participation from religious, intellectual, political, and cultural elites worldwide to discuss global issues and propose solutions. Among them:
• “Islam and the West: Diversity and Integration”, attended by 13 former presidents and prime ministers from Asia and Europe.
• “Al-Azhar International Conference in Support of Jerusalem” with participants from 86 countries.
• “Freedom and Citizenship: Diversity and Integration” which saw unprecedented participation from Muslim and Christian leaders in the East.
• “Al-Azhar International Conference for the Renewal of Islamic Thought”, attended by senior religious and political figures from 46 Islamic countries.
Interfaith Dialogue and Global Outreach:
• He led major interfaith rapprochement efforts, most notably with Pope Francis of the Vatican, resulting in the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity, the most significant document in the modern history of relations between Al-Azhar and the Vatican and a milestone in global interfaith relations.
• He led numerous interfaith and East-West dialogue tours, visiting over 21 countries across 34 official visits, including: Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Chechnya, Brunei, Singapore, Nigeria, Mauritania, the UK, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, France, and the Vatican.
Notable International Visitors to Al-Azhar:
He has welcomed many world leaders to Al-Azhar, including:
• German Chancellor Angela Merkel
• Portuguese President Marcelo de Sousa
• Pope Francis of the Vatican
• French President Emmanuel Macron
• Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
• Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
• Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
• Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
• Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed
As well as the presidents of Singapore, Burkina Faso, Togo, Somalia, Lebanon, and Uruguay.
Participation in International Conferences:
He has participated in several global Islamic and interfaith gatherings in countries such as Jordan, Indonesia, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Rome, and the United States.
Expansion of Al-Azhar Alumni Organization:
Under his leadership, the World Organization for Al-Azhar Graduates significantly expanded its global reach, growing to 20 international branches in 2019, in countries including: Nigeria, Comoros, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Chad, Mali, Somalia, Cameroon, Ghana, Brunei, Sudan, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Libya, and the UK.
Additionally, Al-Azhar alumni applied to establish branches in other countries, and the organization now also has branches in 17 Egyptian provinces.
Let me know if you'd like this formatted into a professional biography or made shorter for publication.
He has also published numerous research papers in peer-reviewed academic journals, including: The Foundations of the Science of Dialectics according to Al-Ash‘ari, Heritage and Renewal: Discussions and Responses, The Fundamentals of the Theory of Knowledge according to Al-Ash‘ari, and The Concept of Motion between Islamic Philosophy and Marxist Philosophy. Among his scholarly investigations is his edition of the treatise The Sound Proofs of Transmitted Evidence Regarding the Nature of the Intellect by Abu al-Barakat al-Baghdadi, with a French introduction, published in the journal of the French Scientific Institute in Cairo. He has also presented papers at conferences and symposia, such as: Reflections on the Allegation of Quranic Distortion Attributed to the Imami Shiites, The Necessity of Renewal, and Shaykh Mustafa Abd al-Raziq: The Falsely Accused.
He has translated many works from French into Arabic, including: the French introductions to the Concordance of Hadith Terminology, and the book Histoire et classification de l'œuvre d'Ibn Arabi by Osman Yahya, translated into Arabic as The Works of Ibn Arabi: Their History and Classification.
Al-Azhar Al-Sharif holds a prestigious global status across all nations, East and West, due to its long-standing heritage, moderate approach, significant position in Islamic consciousness, and its continual engagement with societal and international issues in support of peace, fraternity, and justice. It is one of the most vital pillars of Egypt’s soft power both locally and internationally.
From the first day that His Eminence the Grand Imam, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, assumed the leadership of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, he was keen on ensuring that Al-Azhar continues to fulfill its pioneering global role and deliver its message of moderation across the world in the best possible way, especially amidst major regional and global challenges. This effort has manifested in the following ways:
• He has chaired the Muslim Council of Elders since 2014, with the aim of unifying the efforts of the Islamic Ummah to promote citizenship, coexistence, and combat extremism.
• He developed education for international students at Al-Azhar by establishing the "Center for the Development of Education for International Students," serving 40,000 students from 110 countries.
• He established numerous Al-Azhar institutes across African countries.
• During his tenure, the regional headquarters of the Union of North African Universities was inaugurated at Al-Azhar University.
• He held major global conferences that witnessed high-level international participation from religious, intellectual, political, and cultural elites around the world to discuss key global issues and propose solutions, including:
 – Al-Azhar International Symposium "Islam and the West: Diversity and Integration," with 13 former presidents and prime ministers from Asia and Europe participating;
 – "The Global Al-Azhar Conference in Support of Jerusalem," with attendees from 86 countries;
 – "The Conference on Freedom and Citizenship: Diversity and Integration," which saw the highest-level participation of Islamic and Christian leaders in the East;
 – "The Global Al-Azhar Conference for the Renewal of Islamic Thought," with the participation of prominent global political and religious leaders and representatives from ministries of religious affairs, fatwa bodies, and Islamic councils from 46 Muslim countries.
• His Eminence led interreligious human rapprochement efforts in cooperation with Pope Francis of the Vatican, and together they signed the Document on Human Fraternity, considered the most important document in the history of Al-Azhar–Vatican relations and one of the key documents in modern world history.
• He presided over many dialogue tours between East and West, with over 34 international visits to 21 countries, including: Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Chechnya, Brunei, Singapore, Nigeria, Mauritania, UK, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, Chechnya, France, and the Vatican.
• His Eminence received numerous world leaders at Al-Azhar, including: German Chancellor Angela Merkel; Portuguese President Marcelo de Sousa; His Holiness Pope Francis of the Vatican; French President Emmanuel Macron; Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa; Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas; Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman; UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed; and the presidents of Singapore, Burkina Faso, Togo, Somalia, Lebanon, and Uruguay.
• He participated in many Islamic and international conferences and meetings in Jordan, Indonesia, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Rome, and the United States.
• His Eminence expanded the global presence of the “World Organization for Al-Azhar Graduates” in Egypt and abroad. By 2019, it had grown to 20 international branches in: Nigeria, Comoros, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Chad, Mali, Somalia, Cameroon, Ghana, Brunei, Sudan, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Libya, and the UK. In addition, scholars from other countries submitted requests to establish branches of the organization in their own nations. The organization also has branches in 17 governorates within Egypt.
Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, under the leadership of its Grand Imam, has always been keen to preserve the moderation of Islam, which extremists on both ends of the spectrum have tried to undermine—either by distorting Islam through their misguided understanding of its teachings and rulings (terrorism) or by spreading a culture of fear of Islam (Islamophobia). The Grand Imam has had a clear stance on this matter, driven by a sense of responsibility and based on the principle of respecting shared human values that transcend religion, language, or gender. He has taken effective steps in this regard, including:
• Establishing the “Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism” in twelve languages to serve as Al-Azhar’s watchful eye on the world.
• Establishing the “Al-Azhar Global Center for Electronic Fatwas” in Arabic and several other languages, including English, French, and German, to eliminate fatwa chaos and provide timely, conscious responses to deviant and extremist fatwas.
• Establishing the “Al-Azhar Translation Center” to translate books that clarify the true image of Islam into eleven languages and send them to foreign embassies and international organizations in Egypt and abroad.
• Establishing the “Al-Azhar Center for Interreligious Dialogue” to be a new initiative promoting intellectual, religious, and civilizational dialogue with followers of other religions and cultures, affirming that dialogue and open communication are the only path to understanding and peace.
• Establishing the “Bayan Unit” under the Al-Azhar Global Center for Electronic Fatwas to deconstruct distorted ideas about Islamic teachings and confront non-religious ideologies.
• Dispatching “International Peace Convoys” to many countries in cooperation with the Muslim Council of Elders to promote peace, tolerance, and coexistence.
• Sending “Al-Azhar missions” to more than 80 countries to spread enlightened, moderate Islamic knowledge.
• Launching the “East-West Dialogue Project” as a core initiative to promote pluralism and integration between East and West, including events like the “First Forum for Muslim and Christian Youth,” attended by fifty young people from around the world.
• Establishing the “Al-Azhar Academy for Training Imams, Preachers, and Muftis—Egyptian and International” to promote Islamic moderation globally through these ambassadors of Al-Azhar.
• Updating Al-Azhar’s curricula to align with the spirit of the times, balancing textual authenticity with contemporary application, by creating the “Supreme Committee for Education Reform” and the “Committee for Curriculum Development,” comprised of scholars and educational experts.
• Reviving the role of the “Council of Senior Scholars” in renewing religious discourse and preserving Islamic principles on various societal and cultural issues through research, publications, and youth intellectual forums.
• Establishing the “Al-Azhar Global Center for Monitoring and Electronic Fatwas” to keep pace with contemporary developments and renew the religious perspective on emerging jurisprudential issues.
• Establishing the “Al-Azhar Center for Heritage and Renewal,” a specialized center to study Islamic jurisprudence issues and provide renewed religious perspectives, preserving the authenticity of texts while keeping pace with contemporary realities.
• Developing the “Al-Azhari Riwaq” programs at Al-Azhar Mosque and its branches across Egypt to provide educational and preaching services to Egyptians and foreigners in English, French, and German, in accordance with Al-Azhar’s moderate and enlightened approach.
• Launching the “Scientific Authorship Project” under the Al-Azhar Global Center for Electronic Fatwas, managed by a high-level committee, to keep pace with contemporary developments, especially in the field of fatwa production.
• Establishing the “Development and Investment Unit” under the Al-Azhar Global Center for Electronic Fatwas to provide specialized economic fatwas that reflect modern realities and serve people’s interests in finance and business.
• Establishing the “Egyptian Family House” to preserve national unity among Muslims and Christians in Egypt and affirm common values and shared human principles between religions, cultures, and civilizations.
• Collaborating with all state institutions to implement joint preaching, awareness, and value-building programs, and to confront negative societal phenomena.
• Strengthening the role of “Al-Azhar’s Reconciliation Committee” tasked with resolving disputes among citizens, prioritizing national interest, preserving lives, honor, and property, and eliminating inherited tribal conflicts through coordination with relevant state institutions.
• Empowering Egyptian women to play influential societal and religious roles, including the establishment of the “Women’s Fatwa Department” at the Al-Azhar Global Center for Electronic Fatwas, staffed by elite female muftis who respond to women's religious inquiries in Egypt and around the world. Female preachers and muftis affiliated with the Islamic Research Academy are also deployed across Egypt for effective engagement with Egyptian women.
• Launching the “Family and Community Awareness Program” under the Al-Azhar Global Center for Electronic Fatwas to develop family communication skills, prepare couples for marriage, and address negative societal phenomena, particularly among youth.
• Establishing the “Reunion Unit” under the Al-Azhar Global Center for Electronic Fatwas to reduce the spread of divorce. This unit uses field intervention to mend family disputes and protect children from the dangers of family breakdown.
• Establishing the “With Kindness” Unit under the Al-Azhar Global Center for Electronic Fatwas to support safe divorce culture when marital life becomes impossible. The unit provides educational and training programs that outline life after separation and promote respectful interaction to ensure psychological stability for children.
• The Grand Imam has consistently supported children's rights in his international engagements, including participating in the Vatican’s interfaith conference titled “Promoting the Dignity of the Child.”
• Launching electronic awareness campaigns to combat violence against children, such as the “Jannah” campaign and the “She Is Mercy” campaign.
• Establishing the “Psychological Support Unit” under the Al-Azhar Global Center for Electronic Fatwas to provide constructive communication with youth, help them address their problems, and launching the “You Are Precious to Us” initiative to listen to youth and help them overcome life’s challenges.
Al-Azhar Al-Sharif remains one of the most important pillars of thought and culture in Egypt and the Islamic world for over a thousand years, despite rapid intellectual and cultural developments. The tenure of the Grand Imam at the helm of Al-Azhar is a clear testament to this, as evidenced by:
• Al-Azhar’s annual participation with its own pavilion at the Cairo International Book Fair to promote values, disseminate culture, and preserve Egyptian identity. The pavilion includes Al-Azhar’s publications, periodicals, academic and literary journals, interactive cultural seminars and discussions, a panoramic display of Al-Azhar’s memory, theatrical performances in Arabic and English, multilingual religious chants and invocations, poetry nights, and workshops on drawing and Arabic calligraphy.
Media Contributions of the Grand Imam
Particularly during Ramadan programs, His Eminence addressed numerous religious, cultural, and educational issues that support societal peace, promote virtuous morals, and correct misconceptions.
• Expansion of local Fatwa committees affiliated with the Islamic Research Academy across Egypt, to facilitate access for the public seeking religious guidance and to promote enlightened religious awareness.
• Establishment of a Department for Monitoring Religious Content in Media under the Al-Azhar Global Center for Electronic Fatwa. This department is tasked with monitoring deviant and extremist fatwas, correcting misconceptions, and preparing religious and cultural responses to current issues.
• Organization of religious and cultural competitions to raise religious awareness, encourage reading, and offer valuable prizes to the winners.
• Launch of various educational projects, including those by the Al-Azhar Global Center for Electronic Fatwa:
• "Book Story" project, introducing key books in the Arabic library and their diverse, rich authorship.
• "Role Model" project, highlighting influential figures from Egypt and the world, showcasing their success and excellence as exemplary models for youth and future generations.
Humanitarian Role of Al-Azhar
Under the leadership of His Eminence the Grand Imam, Al-Azhar performs a noble humanitarian mission in Egypt and globally, giving special care to the weak, the sick, and the oppressed—offering them support, solace, and comfort. Examples include:
• Al-Azhar and the Grand Imam’s continued concern for the conditions of Muslims around the world, supporting the oppressed, and denouncing acts of racism against them.
• Dispatch of medical and relief convoys, both local and international, including elite professors from Al-Azhar University’s Faculty of Medicine in various specialties, to perform surgeries and essential medical checkups to alleviate the suffering of those in need.
• Personal interventions by His Eminence to support individual humanitarian cases, such as covering travel expenses for some international students, financing education for underprivileged children, and assisting outstanding students from low-income families.
• Donating the full value of the Human Fraternity Award to help the needy and to settle debts of indebted men and women.
• Doubling the monthly financial aid for eligible beneficiaries of the "Egyptian Zakat and Charity House" — one of the Grand Imam’s pioneering initiatives.
• Al-Azhar’s cooperation with other Egyptian state institutions in facing the COVID-19 pandemic, including a donation of 5 million Egyptian pounds to the "Tahya Misr" (Long Live Egypt) Fund.
• Sponsorship by the Grand Imam of the education of children of doctors who died while serving on the frontlines during the COVID-19 outbreak.
These are but a few examples of the Grand Imam’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Al-Azhar’s role across scientific, cultural, social, and humanitarian domains.
Honors and Awards
• Awarded the "Islamic Personality Award" received on behalf of Al-Azhar University from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, in 2003.
• Granted the Order of Independence, First Class and a Certificate of Membership in the Royal Aal al-Bayt Academy for Islamic Thought by King Abdullah II of Jordan in 2005, recognizing his promotion of Islam’s moderation during the International Islamic Conference held in Jordan.
• Received the Dubai International Holy Quran Award for Islamic Personality of the Year in 2013.
• Awarded the "Cultural Personality of the Year" by the Sheikh Zayed Book Award in 2013.
• Chosen as "Personality of the Year" by Kuwait in 2016, coinciding with Kuwait’s designation as the Islamic Cultural Capital.
• In 2016, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Amir of Kuwait, awarded the Grand Imam the Order of Kuwait, Sash of the Highest Class for his remarkable efforts in promoting Islamic moderation and defending Muslims worldwide.
• Honored with the "Golden Register Medal" from the University of Bologna, Italy, in 2018—Europe’s oldest and most prestigious university—which praised him as an open-minded and moderate scholar dedicated to confronting extremism, hatred, and exclusion, and to clarifying the true teachings of religions grounded in tolerance, dialogue, and acceptance of others.
• Conferred six honorary doctorates from:
• Eurasia National University (Kazakhstan)
• Uzbekistan Islamic Academy
• Prince of Songkla University (Thailand)
• Maulana Malik Ibrahim Islamic University (Indonesia)
• University of Malaya (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
• Beni Suef University (Egypt) in Social Sciences
• Named "First Islamic Personality" by Malaysia in 2020 in recognition of his contributions to the Muslim Ummah.
Sources:
Al-Azhar Official Website