Navbel, a Belgian-Kurdish community organisation, has branded the Antwerp stabbing attack “an act of terror against Kurds”.

In a statement, the group said: “We expect the Belgian police and judiciary to view and treat this act as such.

“This is no different from jihadists who specifically attack civilians in the streets, at Christmas markets, or other public places.

“The fact the victims are Kurds should not lead the Belgian authorities to characterise this act differently.

“They must not conceal this.

“The Belgian government must acknowledge that Kurds, even in Antwerp, are victims of hate speech and racist and jihadist-inspired violence.”

The organisation said a further demonstration had been planned for January 23 in Antwerp, but this has now been cancelled out of respect for the victims.