Sunni Islam’s leading seat of learning, Al-Azhar, said Tuesday’s attacks in Brussels “violate the tolerant teachings of Islam,” and urged the international community to confront the “epidemic” of terrorism.

“Al-Azhar strongly condemns these terrorist attacks. These heinous crimes violate the tolerant teachings of Islam,” the Cairo-based Al-Azhar said in a statement.

“If the international community does not unite to confront this epidemic, the corrupt will not stop from committing heinous crimes against the innocent.”