The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was founded in Belgium in 1981, with an approximate 2000 adherents and over 15 branches within Belgium as of 2024.[1] [2]
The first Ahmadi missionary to Belgium was Malik Ataur Rahman who arrived in Belgium in 1948 for a prospect of establishing a mission. However, in February 1981, Mirza Nasir Ahmad (the third Caliph of the community) sent Saleh Muhammad Khan to propagate the teaching of Islam Ahmadiyya, and in 1985, a building was purchased as a mission house in Dilbeek.[3] In November 1992, the first Belgian Jalsa was held in the Dilbeek mission house, Bait-us-Salaam as a one-day event.[4]
It is estimated that around 2000 Ahmadis live in Belgium, with approximately 1250 members living in the Flanders region, many of whom are immigrants from Pakistan and Bangladesh.[5]
The community has 2 Mosques, in Antwerp and Brussels, in the country and 2 mission houses, in Dilbeek and Alken.[6] The foundations for the first purpose-built Ahmadi mosque in Belgium was laid in 2011, the Bait-ul-Mujeeb mosque in Uccle, Belgium, and completed in 2020. Upon its completion, a number of guests including mayors were invited.[7]