This came during a meeting between Sheikh El-Tayyeb and Estonian President Alar Karis on Wednesday in Cairo at Al-Azhar headquarters to discuss strengthening joint cooperation.

The grand iman stated that peace has become a lost dream, with contemporary global events shattering hopes for its attainment.

However, he expressed faith in people’s ability to uphold religious and ethical values, calling for the spread of brotherhood and equality principles.

The rest of the world is not immune to the impact of wars in the Middle East — in Gaza, Lebanon, and Sudan — or Ukraine, he stressed.

He emphasized that these conflicts fuel global hatred and intolerance, undermining peace.

Sheikh El-Tayyeb recognized Estonia’s stance in condemning the attacks on Gaza and supporting Palestine's full membership in the United Nations, urging the international community to take decisive actions to halt these aggressions. 

He noted how this stance underlines Estonia's commitment to humanitarian principles and international justice.

The grand imam also affirmed that Islam’s message is one of peace, a principle Al-Azhar has upheld for over a thousand years.

He explained that Al-Azhar has taught religious sciences and Arabic to Muslim students from around the world, helping them bring values of peace and fraternity back to their home countries.

He noted that Al-Azhar hosts over 60,000 international students from over 100 countries at all educational levels, from kindergarten to post-graduate studies. It also offers scholarships for Estonia’s Muslim community to study at Al-Azhar University.

For his part, President Karis expressed admiration for Al-Azhar as an esteemed Islamic institution and appreciation for the grand imam’s offer of scholarships for Estonian students.

Additionally, he highlighted Estonia’s keenness to strengthen ties with Al-Azhar, considering the scholarships a way to foster closer relations.

Karis also affirmed Estonia’s readiness to share its expertise in information technology and digital transformation with Al-Azhar's faculty and students through a protocol for academic exchange and researcher mobility.

The Estonian president expressed his hopes for ending conflicts around the world, especially the wars in Ukraine, Palestine, and Sudan, and allowing humanitarian aid to reach those in need.