The gathering was intitiated by the Forum of Jewish Organisations (FJO) and the Antwerp Indian Association to demonstrate solidarity with all the victims of the Mumbai events regardless their nationality, background or religion.

An important number of Indians work in the diamond industry and links between Antwerp and Mumbai are very strong. The financial capital of India is also an important centre for diamond cleaving.

“This is a show of solidarity between different nationalities and cultures,” Philip Claes, an official from the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, said.

“The terrorist attacks had a strong impact in our multicultural sector.”