sits at the helm of the Sunni world's most prestigious centre of orthodoxy, Al-Azhar. This moderate, enlightened, French-educated scholar is the guardian of the historical religious institution which for centuries has played a pivotal role in unifying Muslims around the world under the banner of peace and tolerance. Al-Tayeb — who was appointed during the rule of Hosni Mubarak — has repeatedly emphasised that Al-Azhar has been an independent institution and shall so remain, no matter what the political or religious affiliation of the governing regime might be. Al-Azhar, he said, shall not be dragged into petty political power games.
