'Star Trek' star George Takei has spoken of the power of love and compassion in the face of darkness and terror following Friday's terror attacks in Paris which left at least 127 people dead.
The actor, who played Hikaru Sulu in the original television series, wrote about the challenge facing immigrants and refugees, who may now be perceived as "the enemy" by the people of France.
The short missive was posted to Takei's Facebook page and has since been shared over 65,000 times.
Contrasting the violence in Paris to the attack on Pearl Harbour, Takei suggests that just as Japanese Americans faced difficulty in 1940s America, it is important that France - and other western countries - do not "categorise and dehumanise" groups in the coming months.
"Tonight, hold your loved ones, and pray or wish for peace, not only from guns and bombs, but from hatred and fear," he wrote.
In developments on Saturday, it was reported that one of the perpetrators of the simultaneous bomb and gun attacks may have been a Syrian who recently travelled the route taken by refugees to reach Europe.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR:
- 129 dead, French prosecutor says, with 352 injured, 99 critically
- Locations targeted in suicide bombings and shootings
- 89 slain at Bataclan concert theatre after hostage situation
- Restaurants, football stadium attacked in night of horror
- Police leave cancelled and around 1,500 soldiers mobilised
- French border controls increased, state of emergency declared
- Seven extremists in three teams carried out attacks, all killed
- Manhunt under way for accomplices, arrests made in Brussels after police raids
- David Cameron chairs meeting of Government Cobra committee
SEE ALSO:
- Paris Attacks: At Least 127 Dead After Shootings, Suicide Attacks And Hostage Situation In Capital
- Paris Theatre Attack: At Least 100 Dead At Bataclan, Officers Describe Scene Inside Theatre As 'Carnage'
- The Moment An Explosion Rocked A Football Match In Paris
- Paris Attacks Prompt #TerrorismHasNoReligion Twitter Hashtag
- Paris Attacks: David Cameron To Chair Emegency Cobra Meeting As UK Threat Level Remains 'Severe'
- Rob Lowe Faces Backlash Over 'Borders' Tweets Following Paris Terrorist Attacks