Terror attack on Brussels

The mindless violence that erupted in a series of explosions in Brussels airport and a metro train station on March 22 that claimed some 35 lives has sent a shudder through Europe and the world. We are appalled at the wanton violence unleashed by the Islamic State (IS) against innocent people which has wounded hundreds. The incident has heightened Europe's inability to tackle terror, and we join voices with world leaders in the condemnation of such cowardly attacks that targeted ordinary citizens. What have attacks like this, and those that took place in Paris earlier, achieved? IS and like-minded terror outfits have done more harm to Muslims and Islam by resorting to violence that is specifically banned in Islam.

It is well that the renowned Islamic scholars have voiced their condemnation of these heinous acts. We are glad to see the Cairo-based Al-Azhar, which is a leading seat of learning in Islam, come out publicly in condemnation of these heinous crimes that violate the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah.

While security will undoubtedly be tightened across Europe to combat terrorism wherever it may exist, we hope that Muslim communities will not be subject to witch hunts. That will do more harm than good, and we hope that religious leaders of all faiths will come forward in greater numbers to preach peace and tolerance. If the terror outfit is retaliating against the actions of the West, as they claim they are, in Syria and Iraq, it should remember that two wrongs do not make a right. Nothing can justify the killing of unarmed people.