Who is Ahmed el-Tayeb, the influential Grand Imam shaping modern Sunni Islamic thought?

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: As the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed el-Tayeb leads one of the most prestigious institutions in the Sunni world. From his roots as a Sufi scholar to his complex political history in Egypt, el-Tayeb navigates a path that balances traditional theology with modern challenges, including extremism and interfaith dialogue.

Born in 1946 in Luxor, Egypt, Ahmed el-Tayeb built an academic career centered on Islamic philosophy. After graduating from Al-Azhar University in 1969, he earned his Ph.D. in 1977 and spent time at the University of Paris. His career trajectory moved through various academic and administrative roles, including serving as Grand Mufti of Egypt between 2002 and 2003, before he was appointed Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in 2010 by President Hosni Mubarak.

El-Tayeb’s tenure has been marked by significant political and theological friction. Initially viewed as a regime loyalist, he faced intense criticism following the 2011 Egyptian Revolution for his ties to the former government. He later supported the military coup against President Mohamed Morsi. Despite these political entanglements, his theological influence remains profound. As an adherent of the Ash'ari school, he has consistently condemned groups like the Islamic State, arguing that their use of takfirism—declaring other Muslims apostates—is a flawed interpretation of Islamic texts.

In recent years, el-Tayeb has emerged as a prominent voice for interfaith cooperation. His meetings with Pope Francis, including the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity in 2019, helped inspire the UN to designate February 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity. Simultaneously, he has taken stances on social issues, asserting in 2021 that women are permitted to hold senior positions in the judiciary and travel without a male guardian, while also clarifying his views on traditional marriage laws within Islam.

His influence extends to defining the boundaries of orthodox Sunnism. At a 2016 conference in Chechnya, he explicitly categorized Ash'arites and Maturidites as the true followers of Sunni Islam, notably excluding Salafis from this definition. This stance reflects his broader effort to promote what he describes as moderate Islamic thought, a mission that has earned him international recognition, including the title of Honorary Citizen of Samarkand in 2020.

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