BELGIAN POLICE ASK JEWISH COMMUNITY TO AVOID PURIM MASKS, CANCEL FESTIVITIES:

A clear set of rules for Belgian Purim celebrations were released on Wednesday, 23 March 2016, in a press release from the office of the High Commissioner of the Antwerp Police in light of the terrorist attacks that took place in Brussels the previous day. Due to heightened security concerns, police have requested that the Jewish community avoid wearing masks that cover the face in public on Purim and requested that no toy weapons be carried even by children. Additionally, the police requested that no fireworks be set off and to avoid using any device that may cause a loud banging sound. The Jewish Crisis Management Team of Antwerp urged the community to comply with these rules and declared the next three days to be days of mourning in which celebrations and public feasting are strictly forbidden. "With police and army on very high alert, all these cause confusions and are potentially dangerous," said the Crisis Management Team. (J.Post)