Answering violence and hatred with a call for peace and brotherhood, the Churches of Scientology for Europe convened an interfaith memorial in Brussels on Sunday, November 15, to honor those killed in the Paris terror attacks.
Brussels, Belgium, December 2, 2015 (Newswire.com) - An interfaith memorial service honoring the victims of the November 13 terror attacks in Paris that killed 129 was convened at the Brussels branch of the Churches of Scientology for Europe Sunday, November 15, led by The Rev. Eric Roux, Director of Special Affairs of the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre of Paris and President of the Union of Churches of Scientology in France.
In his address to the congregation, Rev. Roux called for peace and a break in the cycle of revenge, recrimination and bloodshed. “All religions bear a message of peace,” he said. “The truth is that those who claim to use ‘religion’ to justify their terrorist actions are really godless criminals. Around the world, people suffer from terrorism and oppression. Our vigilance and our actions in the name of peace must never falter.”
"All religions bear a message of peace. The truth is that those who claim to use 'religion' to justify their terrorist actions are really godless criminals. Around the world, people suffer from terrorism and oppression. Our vigilance and our actions in the name of peace must never falter."
Rev. Eric Roux, President of the Union of Churches of Scientology in France
Rev. Roux was joined in the Scientology Chapel at 103 Boulevard de Waterloo in Brussels by Imam Asad Majeeb of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Brussels, and Ms. Maryam Barandi, representing FEMYSO—Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organizations.
Imam Asad Majeeb delivered a message from the world leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad:
“On behalf of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community worldwide, I express my heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the French nation, its people and government following the heinous terrorist attacks that have taken place in Paris. This brutal and inhumane attack can only be condemned in the strongest possible terms. I would also like to reiterate that all forms of terrorism and extremism are completely against the true teachings of Islam.
“The Holy Quran has said that to kill even one innocent person is akin to killing all of mankind. Thus, under no circumstances can murder ever be justified, and those who seek to justify their hateful acts in the name of Islam are serving only to defame it in the worst possible way.
“Our sympathies and prayers are with the victims of these attacks and all of those who have been left bereaved or affected in any way. May God Almighty grant patience to them all, and I hope and pray that the perpetrators of this evil act are swiftly brought to justice.”
Rev. Roux concluded the service with The Prayer for Total Freedom written by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard:
“May the author of the universe enable all men to reach an understanding of their spiritual nature. May awareness and understanding of life expand, so that all may come to know the author of the universe. And may others also reach this understanding which brings Total Freedom.
“At this time, we think of those whose liberty is threatened; of those who have suffered imprisonment for their beliefs; of those who are enslaved or martyred, and for all those who are brutalized, trapped or attacked.
“We pray that human rights will be preserved so that all people may believe and worship freely, so that freedom will once again be seen in our land. Freedom from war, and poverty, and want; freedom to be; freedom to do and freedom to have. Freedom to use and understand Man’s potential—a potential that is God-given and Godlike. And freedom to achieve that understanding and awareness that is Total Freedom.
“May God let it be so.”
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