Fuelling hatred after Brussels attack: Shame on You!

In the wake of the Brussels attacks yesterday, instead of spreading peace and solidarity with the people in Brussels after their day of tragedy, some people used the event to foster hatred, fear and push political agendas.

Allison Pearson, a Telegraph columnist, tweeted:

Brussels, de facto capital of the EU, is also the jihadist capital of Europe. And the Remainers dare to say we're safer in the EU! #Brexit”

By calling Brussels the “jihadist capital” after over 30 people were murdered by terrorists, Pearson effectively turned her back one of our European neighbours in their time of need, and engage with a poisonous message to push the leave campaign.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage retweeted Pearson’s comment and Mike Hookem MEP made a statement claiming the attacks proved “free movement and lax border controls are a threat to our security.” Prime Minister David Cameron said the comments connecting the attacks in Brussels to Brexit made by UKIP were “not appropriate”. Using terrorism to boost their political agenda to leave the European Union just hours after an attack is more than inappropriate, and multiple critics have labelled the move as “shameful”.

As disturbing as using terrorism for political gains is, those spreading hatred made even nastier comments. Mail Online columnist Katie Hopkins first attacked refugees and everyone who supports them tweeting:

Every one of you who said refugees are welcome, if you said 'let them in'. You are responsible for Brussels. And you still can't see.”

And in a later tweet she discriminated against all Muslims and incited racial hatred from her followers tweeting:

Any mosques lit up in the colours of the Belgium flag? No - thought not. Just celebrations in prayer houses country-wide #ReligionOfMurder”

Islamophobia is on the rise all over the world and comments like this are disgusting generalizations that associate radical Islam with all Muslims. Discrimination spewed by the likes of Hopkins is dangerous for the global society and creates deep divides between people at a time where we all must come together.

Known for his outlandish comments Donald Trump of course had to add to the offensive statements being made after the Brussels’ attacks. Speaking with Piers Morgan on ITV’s Good Morning Britain Trump said that Muslim communities “are absolutely not reporting” terrorist activity.

Leading the Republican race to the presidential nomination in the United States Trump said:

It will get worse and worse because we are lax and we are foolish -- we can't allow these people, at this point we cannot allow these people to come into our country”

This is not the first time he has mentioned banning Muslims from entering the United States and his dangerous rhetoric along with the statements made by other Islamophobes has given rise to even more bigotry and fear.

In the aftermath of Brussels everyone should take heed of the way the people of Brussels responded, tweeting “ikwilhelpen” meaning “I want to help” for people lost during the confusion of the attacks. We should all want to help Brussels and all victims of terrorism no matter their race, religion, or affiliation with the EU. So instead of jumping to politics and trying to use this attack as an advantage, let us stand in solidarity with Brussels and stop spreading the disease of hate.

Mary Schlichte