Grand Imam of al-Azhar

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar (Arabic: الإمام الأكبر), also known as Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar (Arabic: شيخ الأزهر الشريف),  is a respectable prestigious Sunni Islam title and a prominent official title  in Egypt, and is considered by some Muslims to be the highest authority in Sunni Islamic thought and Islamic jurisprudence and holds a great influence on followers of the theological Ash'ari and Maturidi traditions world wide. The grand imam supervises on al-Azhar Mosque and by extension Al-Azhar University and is responsible for the official religious matter aside with the grand mufti of Egypt. The current Grand Imam of Al-Azhar is Mohamed Ahmed el-Tayeb.

History of the title
The title of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar was officially established at 1961, but since the 14th century the head of Al-Azhar, Al-Azhar University, the holder of that position was granted the title of Mushrif  of Al-Azhar then later a Nazir  of Al-Azhar and in Ottoman Empire the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar. Today the holder of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar title, also carries the title of the Grand Sheikh.

Grand Imams of Al-Azhar
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