Presidential hopeful Mohamed ElBaradei has met with Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayeb on Monday. During the meeting ElBaradei described Al-Azhar as the pioneer of moderate Islam and expressed his hope that it would continue supporting this stand worldwide. ElBaradei said he supported El-Tayeb's initiative to reform Al-Azhar so that it regains its role as a source of enlightenment, locally and regionally. He said that electing the Grand Imam and splitting Al-Azhar from the state has become a pressing concern.