Brussels attack: Religious leaders and survivors unite to pay tribute to victims in cathedral service

Rescuers and airport personnel were also in attendance

A Brussels cathedral hosted an interfaith service on Easter Monday to remember the victims of last week’s airport and metro attacks.

Survivors, rescuers and representatives from Jewish, Muslim, Protestant, Catholic, Anglican and Evangelical communities gathered to reflect at the Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula.

“I’m here for the others mostly, I’ve been saved, so I want to be here to support the others,” said Geoffroy Lemaitre, an airport worker who was injured during the bombings.

During the service, which was presided over by Archbishop Jozef de Kesel of Mechelen-Brussels, both airport and emergency service personnel carried trays of candles and received applause from the congregation.

Over 1,100 people attended the memorial service, according to the Belga news agency.

“Being invited to a place like the Brussels cathedral is symbolic for me,” explained Kamar Takkal, a member of the Muslim community.

“It means we are all together, whatever our beliefs, whatever our messages, we are united, hand in hand, in suffering.”