(Brussels Times) Federal Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne has decided to withdraw the recognition of the Muslim Executive — the official representation of Islam in Belgium — after the organisation has been under sustained criticism.
The Muslim Executive receives approximately €600,000 in subsidies per year but is suspected of foreign influence from Turkey and Morocco, as well as malfunctioning and radicalism.
“I have started the procedure to withdraw the recognition of the Muslim Executive,” Van Quickenborne announced on Flemish radio on Friday morning. “That means that we will no longer provide subsidies and that their role will then disappear.”
He added that the body is not representative of all Muslims in Belgium.
