Show Unity Amidst the Worst Attack in Belgian History Urges Atif Fareed

unite against terrorism

The supposed to be a peaceful observance of Holy Tuesday turned into a scene of carnage and destruction when three suicide bombers detonated themselves bringing death and injury to people around them. Two of the suicide bombings were carried out at the Brussels Airport in Zaventem while the third one was carried out at the Maelbeek/Maalbeek metro station in Brussels. The three suicide bombers took with them the lives of 31 others while also causing injury to more than 300 people. The attack is considered the worst ever in Belgian History.

In this photo provided by Georgian Public Broadcaster and photographed by Ketevan Kardava, injured women are seen in Brussels Airport in Brussels, Belgium, after explosions were heard Tuesday, March 22, 2016. A developing situation left a number dead in explosions that ripped through the departure hall at Brussels airport Tuesday, police said. All flights were canceled, arriving planes were being diverted and Belgium's terror alert level was raised to maximum, officials said. (Ketevan Kardava/ Georgian Public Broadcaster via AP)Why are terrorists drawn to Belgium?

After the Paris attacks, Belgium’s importance for global terrorism has become even clearer. Its geographical location is just the first of many reasons.The reasons why Belgium is attractive to terrorists are diverse. Read More…

 

Reason of the Attacks

The Islamic State (ISIL) claimed responsibility for the deadly attacks and claim that they are in retaliation for Belgium’s military support against the Iraqi Civil War. Belgium has been steadily sending jihadists to combat ISIL in the still ongoing Iraqi civil war. Belgium has the most nationals, in relation to total population, fighting against ISIL. Belgium’s efforts against terrorists have been internationally recognized. CNN referred to Belgium as a hotbed of the jihadist ideology that the holy war should be fought against terrorism and not against anyone else. The Wall Street Journal, on the other hand, referred to the country as a jihadist-recruiting hub for those who want to fight terror.

 

unite against terror

Attacks Were to Divide Us

Atif Fareed believes that the Brussels attack was perpetrated by ISIL not just to get back at Belgium but also to create a rift between Muslims and people of other faiths. Belgium is a country where Muslims, Christians, and Hindus live in harmony and mutual respect for one another’s religion and culture. Belgium is also a place where people of various nationalities can mingle and have fun. In fact, the more than 300 victims of the terror attacks were people from more than 40 different nationalities. Fareed believes that ISIL hates every place where people of different religions can coexist and live harmoniously.

 

Honor the Victims by Staying United

Atif Fareed thinks that staying united in standing up to terrorists and denouncing acts of terror is the best way to honor the memory of those killed by the bombings. Letting the attack divide us will not only disgrace the victims, it will also mean letting the terrorists win. We should follow Belgium’s lead. We are all brothers. Our religions may be different but we are praying to the same God regardless of what we may call Him. We should sort out are differences. There is only one enemy and that enemy is terrorism.

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