Belgian Government Cancels Lease of Islamic Centre in Brussels

Brussels, MINA – Belgian minister of Justice Koen Geens announced Friday that the government has agreed to cancel the long-term lease with the Islamic and Cultural Center of Brussels which is run by the Makkah-based World Muslim League (WML).

The Centre also houses a mosque which is called the “Great Mosque” as it is considered to be the biggest mosque in the Belgian capital.

The Council of Ministers also decided, on the proposal of the Minister of Justice, to introduce plurality and transparency in the Great Mosque, KUNA reported, citing Geens in a statement.

“From now on, the mosque should build a sustainable relationship with the Belgian government with respect for the laws and traditions of our country, with a tolerant vision of Islam being propagated,” he said.

Geens said the mosque must also now seek official recognition from the Belgian government.

He noted that today’s decision follows recommendations of the parliamentary inquiry commission on terrorist attacks in Brussels in March 2016 concerning the Great Mosque and on the fight against radicalism in the country.

He said that the Islamic Centre building – located close to the EU headquarters – will now be run by a not-for-profit organisation made up of representatives of local Muslims and of the Belgian Muslims’ Executive, the official body of Muslims in the country.

“The Islamic community of our country is given the responsibility to develop their own future,” said the Belgian minister.

In addition to the mosque, the complex will also accommodate the administration of the Executive of the Muslims and leave room for the start of an Imam training centre or a centre that exhibits the achievements of Islamic civilization, as long as one of the two initiatives is developed from the Islamic community itself, he added.

The transition to the new administration will be completed within a year.
(T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)