Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BRUSSELS3540
2006-10-18 13:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:  

EMBASSY OCTOBER 16 IFTAR: BELGIAN MUSLIMS PONDER

Tags:  KISL SOCI BE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2902
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHBS #3540/01 2911315
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 181315Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3383
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0059
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 0483
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 2313
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 003540 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KISL SOCI BE
SUBJECT: EMBASSY OCTOBER 16 IFTAR: BELGIAN MUSLIMS PONDER
THEIR PLACE IN SOCIETY

REF: BRUSSELS 3488

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 003540

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KISL SOCI BE
SUBJECT: EMBASSY OCTOBER 16 IFTAR: BELGIAN MUSLIMS PONDER
THEIR PLACE IN SOCIETY

REF: BRUSSELS 3488


1. (U) More than 20 guests at Ambassador Korologos' October
16 Iftar dinner discussed the October 8 local elections in
Belgium, Muslim identity and integration into Belgian
society, and whether it is possible to criticize Islam. This
was the Ambassador's second Iftar dinner of this Ramadan
season (see reftel for first Iftar) and the fourth Iftar
dinner he has hosted since his arrival in Belgium in 2004.
The Ambassador underscored his aim of furthering mutual
understanding and dialogue between the Muslim community in
Belgium and the embassy. Guests included senior Ambassadors
from Muslim countries, members of the Muslim Executive, and
various leaders from Belgium's Moroccan and Turkish
communities.

IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES GAIN POWER IN LOCAL ELECTION
-------------- --------------

2. (U) The first topic focused upon how Muslim immigrants
in Belgium are wielding increasing power through
participation in the democratic process. The October 8 local
vote resulted in the election 145 candidates of foreign
origin, compared to 91 elected officials in 2000 and just 14
in 1994. The Ambassador wondered why this is the case and
its implications. An Imam of Moroccan heritage noted that
although there is no tradition of voting in Morocco,
immigrants in Belgium increasingly realize the importance of
voting, and how elected officials represent the interests of
the community at the local, regional, and federal levels.
One guest noted that local journalists had turned a critical
eye to newly elected minority candidates, which he saw as an
effort to "de-legitimize" them. The Ambassador of Jordan
opined that the election results could be interpreted in two
ways. The election of more foreign-origin candidates to
local leadership positions could represent a simple increase
in power and growing organization of the diverse immigrant
communities in Belgium. Conversely, the election of 145
candidates of non-Belgian origin might reveal "a failure of
the host state and local communities to integrate" immigrants
into Belgian society. The Ambassador noted that immigration
issues would likely play a central role in upcoming elections
in the U.S. in early November.

CRITICIZE, YES; INSULT, NO
--------------

3. (U) In the wake of the Danish cartoon controversy, recent
remarks by the Pope, and several press articles on the topic,
the guests considered whether, in general, it is possible to
criticize Islam. By way of background, one guest noted that
Islam has a long tradition of critical thinking that
encourages enquiry and debate. He cited an example from the
Koran of the Prophet Mohammed debating with a non-believer.
Most guests agreed that Islam could indeed be criticized, but
only in a context of respect. The negative side of
criticism, characterized by "insulting the dignity of the
other," should be avoided. Most also agreed that the Danish
cartoons had crossed this line. The Ambassador observed that
whereas he too found the cartoons offensive, he deplored the
subsequent violence in protest of them.


4. (SBU) The Ambassador to Turkey affirmed his country's
desire to join the European Union. Despite some "problems"
such as PKK he believes that Turkey deserves to be in the
European Union. However, he raised the issue of a political
party in Belgium that proposed lgislation outlawing
discussion of what he characterized as being labeled the
"Armenian genocide." He predicted that if this legislation
went forward, it would present difficulties of identity for
the Turkish community in Belgium.

INTEGRATE . . . OR ELSE
--------------

5. (U) Integration and identity remain key preoccupations
with the Muslim community in Belgium. Most guests defined
themselves as "Belgians of (country of origin) descent."
Guests estimated that there are up to 700,000 Muslims in
Belgium. While most guests agreed that their children do
benefit from living in Belgium, there remain concerns about
the lack of integration of the young generation of Muslims
into Belgian society. One guest noted that Muslims are
increasingly feeling "hostility on all sides," labeled and
stigmatized "for something they have nothing to do with."
There was general concern that this might breed a sense of
frustration, isolation, and alienation that could wear away
at a unified vision of living together in a pluralistic
society. One guest cautioned that European countries need to
ensure that minorities can participate in society if Europe

BRUSSELS 00003540 002 OF 002


wants to avoid "its own 9/11" or attacks like those in London
and Madrid. The Ambassador of Jordan urged an examination of
the roots of terrorism, which he defined as a lack of justice
in the Arab world. He concluded by stating that integration
is the responsibility of all, the immigrants and the host
country alike.
KOROLOGOS
.