Abstract
Al-Azhar, one of the first universities in the world, is traditionally considered the chief centre of Arabic literature and Islamic learning in the world. As the world’s oldest and most prestigious Sunni institution, al-Azhar has for a very long time played an important role, not only in the religious sphere, but also in different aspects of Muslim life. It has been a bastion of moderate Islam in the Sunni world; however, its influence has been waning since previous governing regimes have tried to use its authority to their advantage.