Born in Egypt · Nationality Egyptian — Religion / Sunni Islam / Al-Azhar

Ahmed el-Tayeb

Also known as: Ahmad al-Tayyib, Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, أحمد الطيب, Ahmad Muhammad Ahmad al-Tayyib

Egyptian theologian born in 1946; Grand Imam of Al-Azhar since March 2010.

Ahmed el-Tayeb has led Al-Azhar since 2010. His former connection to Hosni Mubarak’s ruling party, his support for Mohamed Morsi’s removal and his positions on family law have been contested. He has also promoted interfaith dialogue and signed the 2019 Human Fraternity document with Pope Francis.

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Profile No. 6098 · Updated on 8 November 2026

2Documented controversies

4Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

July 2025

2025: deletion of an Al-Azhar statement on famine in Gaza

No legal proceedings

An Al-Azhar social-media statement calling for action over famine in Gaza was deleted, prompting criticism. Al Manassa attributed the deletion, citing an anonymous source close to the imam, to pressure from senior Egyptian officials. El-Tayeb’s personal involvement and the full circumstances were not independently established.

State of the evidence: Deletion documented; motive and personal role rely on an anonymous source.
Legal status — source text: No documented personal court proceedings; political or religious controversy.
Attribution: Institutional leadership during removal of a public appeal; direct involvement unproven.

Sources · 1

[1]
Al ManassaAl-Azhar deletes Gaza famine statement after ‘senior official’ call, source says23 July 2025Investigative journalismHigh reliability

Last verified: 8 November 2026

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3 July–August 2013

2013: endorsement of Mohamed Morsi’s removal

No legal proceedings

On 3 July 2013, el-Tayeb appeared beside Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as the military announced the removal of elected President Mohamed Morsi. Morsi supporters viewed this as religious endorsement of military intervention; el-Tayeb said he had chosen between two harmful alternatives. He subsequently condemned protest deaths and called for an investigation.

State of the evidence: Public appearance and statements documented by Reuters and Carnegie research.
Legal status — source text: No documented personal court proceedings; political or religious controversy.
Attribution: Political support for the military-led transition, criticised by some Egyptians.

Sources · 3

[1]
Carnegie Endowment for International PeaceEgypt’s al-Azhar Steps ForwardInvestigative journalismHigh reliability
[2]
Reuters / La TribuneL’université Al Azhar, enjeu politique en Egypte20 December 2013News agencyHigh reliability
[3]
AFP / Hürriyet Daily NewsAl-Azhar Sunni authority condemns Egypt deaths, urges probe27 July 2013News agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 8 November 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
Line width: number of documented references
Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (1)

Mohamed Morsi1 documented reference
- 2013: endorsement of Mohamed Morsi’s removal Source ↗

III. Has something changed?

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Controversia profile, updated 8 November 2026. Latest version: https://controversia.info/en/fiche/ahmed-el-tayeb