The Chancellor of the Azhar University, Dr. Ahmad al-Tayyib, has been appointed assigned Grand Imām of the Azhar by a presidential ruling. As such, al-Tayyib has become the 48^th Grand Imām in the history of the most prominent institution in Sunnī Islam. Al-Tayyib expressed his surprise at the decision and his appreciation for President Mubārak’s trust in him. He also promised to preserve the Azhar’s moderate and leading role.