Notorious neighbourhood unites to break fast

(28 May 2018) LEADIN: A neighbourhood in Brussels known as the home of several Islamic militants has hosted a community Iftar. Muslims and non-Muslims meet for the meal in Molenbeek in a show of unity and religious tolerance. STORYLINE: The tables stretch for hundreds of metres down the street. Muslims and non-Muslims are gathered round it for a community Iftar in the Molenbeek area. This Brussels neighbourhood is notorious as the home of several Islamic militants linked to attacks across Europe. But this event aims to show that, far from being a hotbed of radicalisation, its diverse population lives happily together, no matter their religion. Molenbeek municipality councillor Sarah Turine is at the meal. She's in charge of the youth sector as well as social cohesion and intercultural dialogue. She says this event was launched in 2015 in response to the deadly attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris. "It started after the terrorist attacks when everyone here realised there was a need to talk to and meet each other, not just at a political level but among residents and (Molenbeek's) different communities," she explains. Molenbeek is home to one of the largest Muslim communities of the Belgian capital. Ninety-thousand people live here, and many of them are residents of Moroccan descent who migrated to Belgium in the 1950s; the district also hosts people originating from Congo, Eastern Europe, France, Germany as well as Belgian citizens. In line with the dinner's cultural spirit, Middle Eastern specialties like tabbouleh, harira soup and fried pastries are served together with pasta and vegetarian dishes. Meals are prepared at home and by members of local mosques and are then brought to a Molenbeek community centre where the dinner is taking place. "The Iftar is very important to meet one another, to meet other people, members of other religious and ethnic communities. It's very important because it allows different cultures to get together for a meal," says Adahchour Redouane, Molenbeek Mosques Council Committee President. Around a hundred residents attended the Iftar gathering. Local religious communities and associations contributed to the meal. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...