The Conservative Muslim Forum is shocked and horrified by the terrorist attacks in Brussels this morning.

Brussels is a city that many of us know and love. Indeed only last October a CMF delegation of 40 people visited the EU institutions in Brussels, with many of us passing through Maelbeek station where one of today’s bombings took place.

At the time of writing the death toll stands at over 30, with an unknown number of people seriously injured. Responsibility for these murders has been claimed by the so-called “Islamic State”, a bloodthirsty group which is not a state, and which has been denounced by the overwhelming majority of Muslims in Britain and around the world as representing a perverted interpretation of Islam. (For just one example see this Open Letter to Al-Baghdadi)

In terrible circumstances such as these, one cannot help thinking back to that sombre day, 7 July 2005, when our own capital London was attacked in the same way that Brussels has been. We thank our security services for foiling many terrorist plots since then which sought to wreak even greater carnage.

In coming days and weeks, as more becomes known, there will be time enough for analysis and policy prescriptions. Right now, our deepest condolences and our prayers go out to the citizens of Brussels.