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| Ahmed el-Tayyeb | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ahmed el-Tayyeb |
| Native name | أحمد الطيب |
| Birth date | 1946 |
| Birth place | Kurna, Luxor, Egypt |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
| Occupation | Islamic scholar, Grand Imam of al-Azhar |
| Alma mater | Al-Azhar University, Cairo University |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
Ahmed el-Tayyeb is an Egyptian Sunni scholar who has served as the Grand Imam of al-Azhar and Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar since 2010, and as Grand Mufti of Egypt-level figure in religious affairs. He is known for leadership at Al-Azhar University, engagement with international religious figures, and involvement in debates over Islamic law and interfaith dialogue. His tenure has intersected with Egyptian politics under presidents including Hosni Mubarak, Mohamed Morsi, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and with global institutions such as the United Nations and the European Union.
Born in 1946 in Kurna in the Luxor Governorate, he pursued traditional Islamic studies at Al-Azhar University before obtaining higher degrees from Cairo University. He studied under prominent scholars associated with institutions like the Al-Azhar Mosque and engaged with curricula influenced by classical texts such as works attributed to Al-Ghazali, Ibn Taymiyya, and Ibn Khaldun. During his formative years he encountered intellectual currents tied to figures including Muhammad Abduh, Rashid Rida, and contemporaries from seminaries in Cairo and Alexandria.
El-Tayyeb rose through ranks at Al-Azhar University serving as professor, department head, and later as rector, participating in administrative meetings with bodies like the Ministry of Awqaf and advisory councils linked to the Council of Senior Scholars. He was appointed Grand Imam of al-Azhar in 2010, succeeding predecessors connected to the al-Azhar scholarly tradition and interacting with religious authorities such as the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Holy See, and leaders from Sunni schools of jurisprudence and Shia Islam figures. His institutional roles have included mediating disputes among clerical networks, overseeing curriculum reforms at Al-Azhar University, and chairing conferences in partnership with organizations like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League.
His scholarly output focuses on Islamic jurisprudence and Aqidah with works that reference legal schools represented by jurists such as Al-Shafi'i, Malik ibn Anas, Abu Hanifa, and Ahmad ibn Hanbal. He has lectured on classical texts and modern issues, engaging with debates featured in venues like the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, and academic journals tied to Al-Azhar University and Cairo University. El-Tayyeb has promoted positions on matters involving Islamic finance touched on by scholars from institutions such as the Islamic Development Bank and theological discussions paralleled by scholars in Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey. His writings and speeches often cite precedents from jurists associated with historical centers like Baghdad, Córdoba, and Damascus.
As Grand Imam, he presides over ceremonies at the Al-Azhar Mosque and convenes assemblies involving representatives from institutions including the Egyptian Parliament, the Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt, and international delegations from the United States Department of State and the European Parliament. He has issued statements on religious guidance, interacted with figures such as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, the Dalai Lama-adjacent interlocutors, and leaders of the World Council of Churches. Administratively, he has overseen reforms affecting departments within Al-Azhar University, coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education (Egypt), and cooperation with non-governmental organizations like UNESCO on heritage and dialogue initiatives.
El-Tayyeb has been an interlocutor in state and diplomatic affairs, meeting heads of state including Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Mohamed Morsi, Hosni Mubarak, and foreign leaders from France, United Kingdom, United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey. He has participated in interfaith summits attended by representatives from the Vatican, the Anglican Communion, and Jewish organizations such as the American Jewish Committee and the World Jewish Congress. His engagement includes partnerships with international institutions like the UNESCO, the United Nations's offices on religion-related initiatives, and think tanks such as the Brookings Institution, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and the United States Institute of Peace.
El-Tayyeb's tenure has provoked debate involving civil society groups like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, political movements such as the Muslim Brotherhood, and secular intellectuals from Ain Shams University and Helwan University. Critics have addressed his positions on political transitions during the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, his relations with successive Egyptian administrations, and responses to issues raised by minority communities including the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria and activists from Niqab-related debates. He has also faced scrutiny from international commentators in outlets connected to institutions like Al Jazeera, BBC, and The New York Times over decisions involving clerical appointments and statements on contemporary legal matters.
El-Tayyeb has received recognitions from academic and religious bodies including honorary degrees from universities such as Al-Azhar University affiliates, invitations to speak at institutions like Oxford University, Harvard University, and Georgetown University, and awards from organizations linked to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and interfaith groups. His legacy includes influence on curricula at Al-Azhar University, contributions to interreligious dialogue involving the Vatican and global Islamic networks, and a contested imprint on the relationship between religious institutions and state authorities in modern Egypt.
Category:Egyptian scholars Category:Al-Azhar