Muslims in Flanders react to Dutch ‘Fitna’ film

Reactions of Belgian Muslims across Flanders concerning the _Fitna’ film are mixed in the intensity of their criticism and concern. Farid El Machaoud of the League of Muslims in Belgium said: I feel slightly offended by certain scenes and among other things, the fact that certain verses from the Koran were taken out of context….

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Foreigners comprise seven percent of entrepreneurs

About 7% of entrepreneurs in Belgium are not citizens of the country. In Brussels, the figure jumps to 27%, and in Antwerp, the figure stands at about 15%, making the city the most attractive to immigrant entrepreneurs in Flanders. This data comes from the Unizo organization, with data available from the national service for social…

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Immigrant unemployment statistics among immigrants in Flanders

The number of immigrants among the unemployment numbers has gone up in the past ten years. In 1999, Belgians of immigrant origin and non-EU citizens comprised 11.4% of all registered unemployed job-seekers. In 2007, these numbers have increased to 16.9%, according to data provided by VDAB (Flemish Public Employment Service) and reported by De Tijd….

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Youth employment plan is working

A program to get the young and unemployed to work has produced positive results. The daily _De Standard’ reports that the number of youth under 26 that are looking for work has fallen by 39% since the Youth Unemployment Plan was launched two years ago. The Youth Unemployment plan was brought in two years ago…

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First mosques officially recognized in Flanders region of Belgium

Six mosques have been officially recognized in northern Belgium; the mosques will receive state subsidies and get their wages from state funds. In Belgium imams only qualify if they can show that they are integrated and can speak Dutch fluently, and are familiar with Flemish society. Starting in 2008, authorities in Flanders will pay 30%…

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