Less than 10 hours ago, a number of explosions tore through both an airport and a subway station in Brussels, Belgium, which is home to the headquarters of the European Union.

This comes only four days after the arrest of Salah Abdeslam, a suspected terrorist believed to have been one of the masterminds behind carrying out last year's terror attacks on Paris.

While the story is still unfolding, so far it has been confirmed that:

- At least 30 individuals have been killed
- There are more than 230 others injured
- Brussels has raised its national security threat level to 4, or "serious and imminent attack"
- Security heightened in New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.
- Belgian authorities fear that some suspects may still be at large
- And ISIS has since claimed responsibility for the attack

Though this depraved act of terrorism has managed to incite fear throughout the world, it's absolutely vital that, at this point in time, we, as human beings, stand in solidarity with both the people of Brussels as well as our Muslim brothers and sisters. Right now, a lot of people are scared - terrified even. They fear they'll become the next victims of a terrorist attack and politicians, such as Donald Trump, are already confirming those fears by way of fearmongering.

Unfortunately, it's more than likely that today's events will ignite a new wave of Islamophobia throughout the western world but it's essential to move forward in unity. When horrific events like this take place, it's easy to succumb to the "us vs. them" mindset. It happened after 9/11 and it happened again after last year's attacks on Paris and San Bernardino. However, we, as a society, have simply stood by and watched as the rate of suspected hate crimes against Muslims has tripled since last year.

We've silently observed our Muslim neighbors, who are also fellow Americans, become the targets of threats, harassment, and vandalism. And with today's attack on Brussels, I guarantee that more of the same is coming. So with a heavy heart that's still filled with hope for the future, I beg you to remind yourselves that the individuals who carried out today's bombings, the cowards who could not stand to live in a world rich with diversity, were not a reflection of Islam as a whole.

They were not your neighbors.

They were not your friends, family members, or coworkers.

Those individuals were cowards who exploited their religion in order to spread their hateful beliefs and they did not represent the everyday Muslim. All religions, including Catholicism, Judaism, and Islam, are built upon foundations that preach peace, love, and tolerance. Throughout history, each of those religions has spawned extremists who have misinterpreted their messages and used them in order to promote both violence and hatred.

But extremists are the exception, not the rule.

So please, be compassionate and support your Muslim neighbors, even if you are shaken up by the violence that took place today. Instead of viewing them with an air of suspicion, make sure they understand that they're valued members of society and then treat them as such.

Remember, as the saying goes, "United we stand, divided we fall."