Belgium, Islam in

Djelloul, Ghaliya [UCL] Maréchal, Brigitte [UCL]

The presence of Muslims in Belgium since the First World War has led to the official recognition of Islam. But the internal diversity of the Muslim community leads to a competition between various religious trends (such as Salafis, Muslim Brotherhood ans various Sufi groups) and an influential interference of the principal countries of origin. Therefore, despite its establishment and institutionnalisation (through the Exécutif des Musulmans de Belgique), Islam in Belgium is today influenced by religious groups that advocate for social distinction and its political recognition. These identity politics tensions raise some living-together issues, while radicalizing mutual fears that lead to self-defense reactions of both Muslim minority and non-Muslim majority.