Influenced by her Muslim friends and extensive personal research, Veronique embraced Islam at a young age. Recognizing a need within the community, she dedicated her home to serving as an Islamic center focused on education. The center’s primary mission is to help Belgians see past common misconceptions and prejudices often associated with the faith.
Veronique believes these prejudices are born from a lack of proper introduction to the faith. While preparing iftar food packets for visiting Muslims during Ramadan, she emphasized, “Prejudices stem from not being introduced to real Islam properly.” She added that Muslims have a responsibility to explain their faith to society much better.
After eight years of dedicated outreach work, the center now boasts over 1,000 members, with the majority being Belgian women. The center remains open to all of Belgium's Muslims interested in deepening their understanding of their religion.
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Currently, Belgian Muslims are estimated to be around 450,000 out of a total population of 10 million. Nearly half of this population is of Moroccan origin, and another 120,000 are of Turkish descent. Brussels alone has a Muslim-origin population exceeding 20 percent, with people hailing from Morocco, Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other African nations. The capital city houses 77 mosques or prayer rooms, contributing to the over 300 prayer sites across Belgium.
This grassroots effort highlights the significant role personal connections and clear communication play in religious dialogue. By focusing on education and community, Veronique's center is not just facilitating conversions but also effectively bridging cultural gaps and countering Islamophobia at the local level.