Brussels attacks: #StopIslam trending as Twitter users react to Belgian explosions

The twin explosions in Brussels have spouted the provocative hashtag #StopIslam as social media users express their anger on the terrorist attacks in the Belgian capital. People who blamed the Islam religion for the Brussels attacks started the vitriolic hashtag online, with some using the fateful incident to promote stricter borders.

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The Tuesday bomb attacks at the Zaventem International Airport and Maalbeek metro station, which killed at least 34 people and injured over 100 people, have led people to turn to Twitter to express their sympathy for the victims, solidarity with the Belgians and anger at the masterminds. There were those who quickly associated the terrorist attacks with Islam, however, blaming the religion and even refugees for the explosions.

There has been no information about the bombers as of the time of this writing. An airport staff told AFP that he heard a man shout a few words in Arabic before the explosions started.

Nevertheless, some people, like controversial British reality show personality Katie Hopkins, leapt on the chance to attack refugees, most of whom, if not all, are Muslims, and to promote Brexit, or British exit from the European Union.

Many Twitter users, however, also use the hashtag, not to promote hate, but to defend the religion.