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A Belgium Sikh woman has won over many on social media for offering the help of her community to all those injured in the horrific attacks in Belgium.

Dr Japjeet Kaur's thoughts on the atrocities in Belgium by so-called Islamic State has been shared thousands of times.

Using the Sikh mantra Without Fear and Without Hate, she has penned a rallying cry to fight back against evil religous fanaticism.

 


She says: "As a Belgian Sikh, I want to reach out to the grieving masses and say that we should all try not to give in to the fear and anger that these terrorists want to create within us.

"In the spirit of this, we invite all of you to come and visit a Gurdwara in Belgium, have a meal with us and share in our hospitality. Instead of Hate and Fear, let’s unite and break bread together."

At least 31 people were killed and 260 injured in explosions at Brussels airport and a metro station in the country's darkest day since World War 2.

 

Fear is gripping the small, once peaceful country which has recently become known as the "jihadi capital of Europe".

Its capital is in lockdown and citizens have been told to stay away from large crowds because authorities fear another bloodbath.

But amid this tense atmosphere the Sikh community in Belgium is understandably feeling vulnerable.

 

Japjeet says: "The Sikh community I am part of look very different to most people in the West, especially as we have turbans.

"Sikh men also have full beards.

"To some who may not have seen a Sikh before we look strange and they may associate this look with terrorism.

"But there are many Sikhs in Belgium and we have many Sikh temples here in Liege, in Vilvoorde (in Brussels), in Ghent, in Sint-Truiden, in Alken and in Borgloon.

"Many Sikhs came to Europe in WW1/WW2 and fought against tyranny and oppression.

"There are many Sikh names at the memorial in Neuve Chapele and also at Ypres."

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