Mr. Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, praised the efforts of His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirming that His Eminence's distinguished journey represents a global model of religious leadership grounded in ethical values and firmly rooted moderate thought. He noted that the Grand Imam has played a pivotal role in promoting the values of moderation, dialogue, and coexistence both within the Muslim world and beyond. These remarks were made in an article authored by the Malaysian Prime Minister on the occasion of His Eminence's eightieth birthday and published in the book In the Presence of Imam Al-Tayeb (Fi Mihrab Al-Imam Al-Tayeb), which documents testimonials by prominent figures on the Grand Imam's life and his scholarly and humanitarian contributions.
Mr. Anwar Ibrahim emphasized that the Grand Imam has exemplified a model of influential religious leadership that relies not on publicity, but on knowledge, ethical conduct, and unwavering moral commitment. He pointed out that, under His Eminence's leadership, Al-Azhar has reinforced the intellectual and ethical foundations of the Islamic tradition while confronting extremist ideology through a balanced scholarly discourse rooted in education and moderation. He further explained that Al-Azhar's influence has extended to Malaysia, where generations of scholars and religious leaders educated at this esteemed institution have contributed to consolidating the concept of moderation within Malaysian society. He affirmed that Al-Azhar's scholarly tradition has had a profound impact on shaping Malaysia's balanced understanding of religion and public life.
The Malaysian Prime Minister also highlighted the Grand Imam's prominent role in advancing interfaith dialogue, citing the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by His Eminence and the late Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi in 2019, as an ethical model that promotes the values of human dignity and peaceful coexistence. He also recalled his meetings with the Grand Imam, including His Eminence's special visit to Malaysia in July 2024, noting that their discussions addressed issues related to education, moral responsibility, and the unity of the Muslim pan-nation. He added that the Grand Imam encouraged him to intensify efforts to promote the values of compassion, mutual respect, and mutual understanding among Muslims and non-Muslims, while also strengthening attention to modern sciences and advanced technologies, particularly artificial intelligence.
The Malaysian Prime Minister concluded his article by stressing that honoring the Grand Imam on this occasion is not merely a celebration of a distinguished past, but also an expression of appreciation for his continuing contributions and forward-looking vision. He noted that, despite reaching the age of eighty, His Eminence continues to play a pivotal role in shaping contemporary understanding of issues related to faith, authority, and coexistence in a world undergoing rapid transformation.