The Hindu Forum of Europe and the Hindu Forum of Belgium express deep sorrow for the loss of life and our prayers for the speedy recovery of the victims of violent attacks in Brussels earlier today. We condemn the perpetrators of this violence and urge those who may have some idea of who they may be to share that information with the authorities at the earliest opportunity. For it is only by taking such nastiness off our streets can we create an atmosphere of trust, respect and learning.

To the families of the dead and injured we send the following scriptural reading from our tradition.

For certain is death for the born, and certain is birth for the dead; therefore over the inevitable thou shouldst not grieve. – From the Bhagavad Gita-

And to the perpetrators and the living we send the following message from Hinduism

*ॐ* *सह* *नाववतु* *।*
*सह* *नौ* *भुनक्तु* *।*
*सह* *वीर्यं* *करवावहै* *।*
*तेजस्वि* *नावधीतमस्तु* *मा* *विद्विषावहै* *।*
*ॐ* *शान्तिः* *शान्तिः* *शान्तिः* *॥ *

Meaning

Aum! May He protect us both together; may He nourish us both together;
May we work conjointly with great energy,
May our study be vigorous and effective;
May we not mutually dispute (or may we not hate any).
Aum! Let there be peace in me!
Let there be peace in my environment!
Let there be peace in the forces that act on me!