Islamophobia and anti-Semitism widespread amongst young Flemes and Flemish Muslims

08.02.2013 Sud Info A recent study conducted by the Flemish daily De Morgan in Antwerp and Ghent revealed a high level of Islamophobia and xenophobia amongst young Flames. Accordingly, one in three Flames has a completely negative view on Muslims and almost every fifth participant is correspondingly convinced that many Muslims are criminals. Almost one…

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Belgium moves to ban burqas worn in public

“There is all-party public support for this,” says Leen Dierick, a conservative member of the Belgian parliament’s Interior Affairs committee that unanimously backed the proposed ban March 31. The initiative is expected become law in July and would apply to all public places, including streets. Until now, it has been up to city governments in…

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Headscarf ban in Flemish public schools suspended

The Flemish school board introduced a ban in September 2009 in the region’s Dutch-language public schools, along with a prohibition on the wearing of all religious symbols for pupils and teachers. Responding to a complaint by a Muslim student at a school in the northern town of Antwerp, Belgium’s state council — the highest authority…

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Flanders government set to review official recognition of additional mosques

There are currently seven recognized mosques and 17 mosques in the running for recognition in Flanders, according to a response given by Marino Keulen, Flemish Minster for Home Affairs, Urban Policy, Housing, and Civic Integration. Officially recognized mosques can be financed by the provinces, have a right to Flemish subsidies for renovations, and a salary…

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Nearly half of Flemish voters have a highly negative opinion of Islam according to ISPO study

According to a study by the ISPO (Institute for Social and Political Opinion Research), close to half of Flemish voters have a negative image of Islam and Muslims. 46 percent believe that Islam has nothing to contribute to European Culture, and 47 percent think that Islamic values are a threat to Europe, while 37 percent…

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