Molenbeek-Saint-Jean Explained

Namefr:Molenbeek-Saint-Jean
Namenl:Sint-Jans-Molenbeek
Picture-Legend:Molenbeek's Municipal Hall seen from the French: Place Communale|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Gemeenteplein|italic=no
Map:Molenbeek-Saint-Jean Brussels-Capital Belgium Map.svg
Map-Legend:Molenbeek municipality in the Brussels-Capital Region
Arms:Blason Molenbeek Saint Jean.svg
Flag:Molenbeek-Saint-Jean_Belgium.svg
Flag Link:Symbols of Brussels#Municipalities
Arms Link:Symbols of Brussels#Municipalities
Community:
Arrondissement:Brussels-Capital
Nis:21012
Mayor: (PS)
Majority:PSMR
Postal-Codes:1080
Telephone-Area:02
Web:molenbeek.irisnet.be/fr
molenbeek.irisnet.be/nl
Coordinates:50.8578°N 4.3158°W

French: Molenbeek-Saint-Jean|italic=no (French, in French pronounced as /molœnbek sɛ̃ ʒɑ̃, -bɛk -/) or Dutch; Flemish: Sint-Jans-Molenbeek|italic=no (Dutch, in Dutch; Flemish pronounced as /sɪɲˈcɑns ˈmoːlə(m)ˌbeːk/), often simply called Molenbeek, is one of the 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium. Located in the western part of the region, it is bordered by the City of Brussels, from which it is separated by the Brussels–Charleroi Canal, as well as by the municipalities of Anderlecht, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Dilbeek, Jette, and Koekelberg. The Molenbeek brook, from which it takes its name, flows through the municipality. In common with all of Brussels' municipalities, it is legally bilingual (French–Dutch).

From its origins in the Middle Ages until the 18th century, Molenbeek was a rural village on the edge of Brussels, but around the turn of the 19th century, it experienced major growth brought on by a boom in commerce and manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution. Its prosperity declined after the Second World War, owing to deindustrialisation, leading to extensive investment and regeneration. Experiencing a strong movement of immigration, mainly Moroccan, from the 1950s and 1960s, Molenbeek became increasingly multicultural with a minority Muslim population.[1] In the 2010s, it gained international attention as the base for Islamist terrorists who carried out attacks in both Paris and Brussels.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Molenbeek is a mostly residential municipality consisting of several historically and architecturally distinct districts., the municipality had a population of 97,697 inhabitants.[7] The total area is 6.02km2, which gives a population density of 16268PD/km2, twice the average of Brussels. Its upper area is greener and less densely populated.

Toponymy

Etymology

The name Molenbeek derives from two Dutch words: Dutch; Flemish: molen, meaning "mill", and Dutch; Flemish: beek, meaning "brook";[8] and could be literally translated as "Millbrook" in English. It is a very common name for brooks in the Netherlands and Belgium, such as the Molenbeek (Erpe-Mere Bovenschelde), as well as the Molenbeek-Ter Erpenbeek, both in the Denderstreek, Belgium.

Although first applied to the brook that flowed through the village, the name Molenbeek (originally spelled Molembecca) eventually came to be used to designate the village itself, around the year 985. The suffix French: Saint-Jean in French or Dutch; Flemish: Sint-Jans in Dutch, meaning "Saint John", refers to the parish's patron saint, Saint John the Baptist, though it is seldom used in everyday speech, today's inhabitants—whether French or Dutch speaking—usually shortening the name to simply Molenbeek.

Pronunciation

In French, French: Molenbeek-Saint-Jean is pronounced in French pronounced as /molənbeːk sɛ̃ ʒɑ̃/, and in Dutch, Dutch; Flemish: Sint-Jans-Molenbeek is pronounced in Dutch; Flemish pronounced as /sɪɲˈcɑns ˈmoːlə(m)ˌbeːk/ (in both languages, the "-beek" is pronounced like "bake" in English). Inhabitants of Molenbeek are known in French as French: Molenbeekois (pronounced in French pronounced as /molənbeːkwa/) and in Dutch as Dutch; Flemish: Molenbeekenaars (pronounced in Dutch; Flemish pronounced as /ˈmoːlə(m)ˌbeːkənaːrs/). In France, the pronunciations in French pronounced as /molənbɛk sɛ̃ ʒɑ̃/ ("-beek" like "beck" in English) and in French pronounced as /molənbɛkwa/ (for French: molenbeekois) are often heard, but are rather rare in Belgium. The dialectal forms Muilebeik and Meulebeik are still used by older adults of Belgian ancestry, whilst the abbreviations Molen and Molem are common among younger speakers.

History

Rural beginnings

As early as the 9th century, Molenbeek was the site of a church dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. The parish boundaries of St. John's Church were much greater than today, reaching as far as the river Senne, and from the end of the 12th century, included a chapel dedicated to Saint Catherine. This chapel was split off from the rest of the parish following the construction of Brussels' second city walls and gradually became the current St. Catherine's Church in the French: Sainte-Catherine|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Sint Katelijne|italic=no neighbourhood of Brussels. The first documented mention of Molenbeek was made on 9 April 1174 in a papal bull by Pope Alexander III listing the property of the chapter of the Collegiate Church of St. Michael and St. Gudula (now a cathedral) in Brussels, which included St. John's Church, as well as other property. The Brussels Beguinage, founded before 1247 outside the city walls, also depended on Molenbeek.

In the early Middle Ages, Molenbeek was known for its miraculous spring of Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, the mythical founder of Nivelles Abbey, which attracted thousands of pilgrims. According to legend, she visited Molenbeek and offered the land on which the village's first church was built, and allegedly caused this sacred spring to spur out by ramming her abbess's crosier into the ground near the church. Later, the tradition of a special pilgrimage for patients with epilepsy developed around St. John's Church. On St. John's Day (24 June), a dancing procession took place, in which epileptics could be freed from their illness for a year if they crossed a bridge over the Molenbeek brook towards the church without their feet touching the ground. A painting by Pieter Brueghel the Younger, dating from 1592, illustrates this procession.

Molenbeek was made part of Brussels in the 13th century. As a result, the agricultural village lost a lot of its land to its more powerful neighbour. In addition, St. John's Church was dismantled in 1578 during the Calvinist Republic of Brussels, which lasted from 1577 to 1585, leading to further decline, though it was later rebuilt on the same spot. The town's aspect remained mostly rural until the 18th century.

Industrialisation

At the end of the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution brought prosperity back to Molenbeek through commerce and manufacturing. In 1795, under the French regime, the town regained its status as an independent municipality. Around that time, Molenbeek experienced its first wave of urbanisation with the development of a neighbourhood, known as the Faubourg Saint-Martin, around a number of streets to the immediate west of the City of Brussels, as well as another, the Faubourg de Flandre, a little more to the north.

During the first quarter of the 19th century, several hundred workers were employed in Molenbeek's chemical and textile industries. In total, there were fifty companies in Molenbeek in 1829. The opening of the Brussels–Charleroi Canal in 1832 greatly increased the traffic of coal and thus the mechanisation of industry, which led to the development of foundries, engineering and metalworking companies in the municipality. Attracted by the industrial opportunities, many workers moved in, first from the other Belgian provinces (mainly rural residents from Flanders) and France, then from Southern European, and more recently from Eastern European and African countries.

The growth of the community continued unabated throughout the 19th century, leading to cramped living conditions, especially near the canal. In that period, Molenbeek was dubbed the Little Manchester (French: le petit Manchester|link=no, Dutch; Flemish: het Klein Manchester|link=no) or the Belgian Manchester (French: le Manchester belge|link=no, Dutch; Flemish: het Belgisch Manchester|link=no), in reference to the Northern English city that led the history of industrialisation. On 5 May 1835, Molenbeek was the departure site of the first passenger train in continental Europe.[9] At the end of the 19th century, part of the industry, namely the port area, was lost by Molenbeek when Brussels annexed and reintegrated the canal area within its new port.

20th century

Until the early 20th century, Molenbeek was a booming suburb which attracted a large working-class population. Remarkable new urban developments and garden cities such as the Cité Diongre were built at the beginning of the century to house the influx of newcomers.[10] [11] The Church of St. John the Baptist was also rebuilt between 1930 and 1932 in Art Deco style to accommodate this growing populace. The industrial decline, however, which had already started before World War I, accelerated after the Great Depression and World War II.

Following the industrial decline after the war, the old districts bordering the City of Brussels began to decrease in population. Much of the original Belgian working-class population, when its financial means allowed it, left the lower Molenbeek for Brussels' newly developing suburbs. In this lower part of the town, new immigrant populations moved in, leading to the present-day urban fabric. The depopulation was not addressed until the 1960s through the construction of new residential areas in the then-rural west of the municipality. In the 1990s, this expansion was halted, leaving some woods and meadows in Molenbeek, such as the semi-natural site of the Scheutbos.[12]

Where Molenbeek was once a centre of intense industrial activity, concentrated around the canal and the railway, most of those industries have disappeared to make way for large-scale urban renewal following the modernist Athens Charter, such as the Tour L'Écluse along the French: Boulevard Louis Mettewie|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Louis Mettewielaan|italic=no in the upper town and the Tour Brunfaut near the canal. In addition, clearance work for the extension of the metro in the 1970s and 1980s led to further destruction. In spite of this, Molenbeek has maintained its character to this day. This industrial past is still remembered in Brussels' Museum of Industry and Labour, a museum of social and industrial history built on the site of the former foundry of the Compagnie des Bronzes de Bruxelles.[13]

21st century

In some areas of Molenbeek, the ensuing poverty left its mark on the urban landscape and scarred the social life of the community, leading to rising crime rates and pervading cultural intolerance. Various local revitalisation programmes are currently under way, aiming at relieving the municipality's most impoverished districts. Currently, the local economy is renewing itself, but it is "dominated" by the administrative sector. Alongside large companies such as KBC Bank and the distribution company Delhaize, there are administrations such as that of the Ministry of the French Community and numerous businesses.

Attempts at revitalising the municipality have, however, not always been successful. In June 2011, the multinational company BBDO, citing over 150 attacks on their staff by locals, posted an open letter to then-mayor Philippe Moureaux, announcing its withdrawal from the municipality.[14] As a result, serious questions were raised about governance, security and the administration of Moureaux.[15] Following a general decrease in crime, the company finally decided to remain in Molenbeek.[16]

Terrorism

According to Le Monde, the assassins who killed anti-Taliban commander Ahmed Shah Massoud both came from Molenbeek.[17] Hassan el-Haski, one of the 2004 Madrid terror bombers, came from Molenbeek.[18] [19] The perpetrator of the Jewish Museum of Belgium shooting, Mehdi Nemmouche, lived in Molenbeek for a time.[20] Ayoub El Khazzani, the perpetrator of the 2015 Thalys train attack, stayed with his sister in Molenbeek.[21] French police believe the weapons used in the Porte de Vincennes siege two days after the Charlie Hebdo shooting were sourced from Molenbeek.[22] The bombers of the November 2015 Paris attacks were also traced to Molenbeek;[23] during the Molenbeek capture of Salah Abdeslam, an accomplice of the Paris bombers, protesters "threw stones and bottles at police and press during the arrest", stated the then-Interior Minister of Belgium, Jan Jambon.[24] Oussama Zariouh, the bomber of Brussels Central Station in June 2017,[25] lived in Molenbeek.[26]

November 2015 Paris attacks

See main article: November 2015 Paris attacks.

At least four of the terrorists in the November 2015 Paris attacks—the brothers Brahim and Salah Abdeslam, alleged accomplice Mohamed Abrini, and the alleged mastermind Abdelhamid Abaaoud—grew up and lived in Molenbeek. According to former French President François Hollande, that was also where they organised the attacks.[27] On 18 March 2016, Salah Abdeslam, a suspected accomplice in those attacks, was captured in two anti-terrorist raids in Molenbeek that killed another suspect and injured two others. At least one other suspect remains at large.[28] [29] [30] Ibrahim (born 9 October 1986 in Brussels) was involved in the attempted robbery of a currency exchange office in January 2010, where he shot at police with a Kalashnikov rifle. The then-mayor of Brussels, Freddy Thielemans, and the then-mayor of Molenbeek, Philippe Moureaux, described the shooting as a "French: fait divers" (a small daily news item) and "normal in a large city", causing controversy.[31]

Police investigation

Since several of the attackers in the Brussels and Paris terrorist attacks had connections to the area, Belgian police started door-to-door checks in which a quarter of Molenbeek's inhabitants were investigated, a total of 22,668. This operation resulted in that of the 1,600 organisations investigated, 102 were found to be involved with crime and a further 52 were involved with terrorism. 72 individuals were found to have a terrorist connection and were subject to future surveillance.[32] [33]

Geography

Location

Molenbeek is located in the north-central part of Belgium, about from the Belgian coast and about 180km (110miles) from Belgium's southern tip. It is located in the heartland of the Brabantian Plateau, about 45km (28miles) south of Antwerp (Flanders), and 50km (30miles) north of Charleroi (Wallonia). It is the third westernmost municipality in the Brussels-Capital Region after Anderlecht and Berchem-Sainte-Agathe and is an important crossing point for the Brussels–Charleroi Canal, which borders the municipality to the east. With an area of 6.02km2, it is also a relatively small municipality in the region, ranking eleventh out of nineteen. It is bordered by the Brussels municipalities of Anderlecht, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Jette and Koekelberg, as well as the Flemish municipality of Dilbeek.

Climate

Molenbeek, in common with the rest of Brussels, experiences an oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb) with warm summers and cool winters.[34] Proximity to coastal areas influences the area's climate by sending marine air masses from the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby wetlands also ensure a maritime temperate climate. On average (based on measurements in the period 1981–2010), there are approximately 135 days of rain per year in the region. Snowfall is infrequent, averaging 24 days per year. It also often experiences violent thunderstorms in summer months.

The Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium (IRM/KMI) is located in Uccle, in the south of Brussels. The meteorological records which are carried out there are similar to those which could be carried out in Molenbeek.

Districts

There are two distinct areas in Molenbeek: a lower area and an upper area. The lower area, next to the canal, consists of working-class, predominantly migrant, communities, mostly of Moroccan (mainly Riffian and Berber) descent, with many being second- and third-generation. The upper area, close to the Greater Ring (Brussels' second ring road), features newer construction and is mostly middle-class and residential.[35]

The territory of Molenbeek is very heterogeneous and is characterised by a mixture of larger districts including smaller residential and (formerly) industrial neighbourhoods. The area along the canal is currently experiencing a large revitalisation programme, as part of the French: Plan Canal of the Brussels-Capital Region.[36]

Lower Molenbeek

Historical centre

The historical centre of Molenbeek is the municipality's central district. It developed during the Industrial Revolution along the Brussels–Charleroi Canal and is currently in a fragile social and economic situation due to the decline of its economy and the poor quality of some of its housing. The Municipal Hall of Molenbeek is located on the French: Place Communale|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Gemeenteplein|italic=no ("Municipal Square"), at the heart of this district.

Duchesse (Quatre-vents)

Located to the south of the historical centre of Molenbeek, this district is centred on the French: Place de la Duchesse de Brabant|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Hertogin van Brabantplein|italic=no. The square was created in 1847 on the grounds of the Hospices de Bruxelles, of which only the neoclassical facade remains. The hospice buildings now house a primary school (municipal school no. 5). In 1869, the Church of St. Barbara was erected there for the Catholic worship of the new parish. The French: Rue de Birmingham|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Birminghamstraat|italic=no, the French: Rue de Manchester|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Manchesterstraat|italic=no, the French: Rue de la Princesse|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Prinsesstraat|italic=no, the French: Rue Vanderstraeten|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Vanderstraetenstraat|italic=no and the French: Rue Isidoor Teirlinck|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Isidoor Teirlinckstraat|italic=no also end there.

Heyvaert

Located in the south-east of Molenbeek, near the Abattoirs of Anderlecht (the main slaughterhouse in Brussels) and along the Charleroi Canal, Heyvaert is part of the larger Cureghem/Kuregem district and is bounded by the French: Rue Nicolas Doyen|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Nicolas Doyenstraat|italic=no, the Rue de Birmingham, the Place de la Duchesse de Brabant, the Rue Isidoor Teirlinck, the French: Rue Delaunoy|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Delaunoystraat|italic=no, and the French: Rue Heyvaert|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Heyvaertstraat|italic=no (formerly the French: Rue de l'Écluse|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Sasstraat|italic=no, because of its proximity to the canal lock; French: écluse meaning "lock" in French).

Maritime

Located in the north of Molenbeek, the Maritime district was born, around 1900, from the implementation of the Port of Brussels and the Maritime Station (French: Gare Maritime|link=no, Dutch; Flemish: Maritiem Station|link=no), a freight station on the Tour & Taxis site. A number of customs agencies and handling activities mingled with homes have given the neighbourhood a diverse character. The residents, historically made up of workers, as well as of the small and large bourgeoisie, were also from the outset of great diversity.

Upper Molenbeek

Karreveld

Located in the north of the upper part of Molenbeek, Karreveld Park and its surrounding district are named after the former domain of Karreveld Castle, which now covers . Today, it is a mostly residential neighbourhood between the French: Avenue de la Liberté|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Vrijheidslaan|italic=no, the French: Chaussée de Gand|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Gentsesteenweg|italic=no and the railroad.

Korenbeek

Located in the north-east of Molenbeek, Korenbeek is home to Molenbeek Cemetery between the Chaussée de Gand and the French: Boulevard Louis Mettewie|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Louis Mettewielaan|italic=no. This cemetery was inaugurated on 16 August 1864 to replace the old parish cemetery around the Church of St. John the Baptist, which had become too small, and whose last remains were cleared in 1932.[37]

Machtens (Marie-José)

Located in the upper part of Molenbeek, this district is located in the valley of the Maalbeek (or Molenbeek) that gave the municipality its name. Originally, the area was part of the former Oostendaal estate. In 1920, it was purchased by the municipality and partly turned into two parks, Albert Park and Marie-José Park, in the triangle formed by the French: Boulevard Edmond Machtens|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Edmond Machtenslaan|italic=no, the French: Avenue De Roovere|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: De Rooverelaan|italic=no and the French: Boulevard Joseph Baeck|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Joseph Baecklaan|italic=no. They were designed by the architect and urban planner Louis Van der Swaelmen, and are named after King Albert I and his daughter, Princess Marie-José, the last Queen of Italy.

Osseghem/Ossegem

French: Osseghem|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Ossegem|italic=no is centrally located in the upper part of Molenbeek, west of the municipality's historical centre. The neighbourhood used to be a rural hamlet. The name is of Germanic origin and is composed of Odso + -inga + gem, meaning "residence of the people of Odso". An old country road, today's French: Rue d'Osseghem|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Ossegemstraat|italic=no, which led to the Chaussée de Gand near the current Osseghem/Ossegem metro station, connected the hamlet to Molenbeek and Brussels.

Scheutbos (Mettewie)

Located in the extreme west of Molenbeek, near the Boulevard Louis Mettewie, the Scheutbos (or Scheutbosch) is the municipality's remaining "green" area, home to the likewise named semi-natural site of the Scheutbos.

Main sights

Molenbeek-Saint-Jean has a rich cultural and architectural heritage.[38] Some of the main points of interest include:

Moreover, several rundown industrial buildings have been renovated and converted into prime real estate and other community functions. Examples include:

Demographics

Historical population

Historically, the population of Molenbeek was quite low. The municipality counted 690 inhabitants in 1707 and fewer than 2,000 inhabitants at the beginning of the 19th century. However, following the Industrial Revolution, the population underwent a remarkable growth, peaking at 72,783 in 1910. From then, it began to decrease slightly during the first half of the 20th century to a low of 63,528 in 1961, before increasing again rapidly in recent years.[50]

, the population was 97,979. The area is, making the density 16314PD/km2. The population is relatively young—the average age is 35 years—with nearly 29% under 18 years old, and fewer than 12% over 65. This population, while already impoverished and overcrowded, has further increased by 24.5% in the last decade.[51]

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Foreign population

Largest groups of foreign residents (2020)[52]
5,960
4,242
2,255
1,956
1,759
1,666
1,040

The population has been described as "mainly Muslim" in the media;[53] however, actual figures are estimated to range between 25% and 40%, depending on the catchment area. Belgium does not collect statistics by religious beliefs, so exact figures are unknown, but the Muslim minority in the community is visibly significant.

, there is one main minority group in Molenbeek, Belgian Moroccans (mainly Riffian and other Berbers). That year, Françoise Schepmans, then-mayor of Molenbeek, stated that the lack of diversity in the foreign population of Molenbeek and the fact they are all clustered in the same area is a problem.[54] Nearly 40% of young people in Molenbeek are unemployed. The municipality lies in a semi-circle of neighbourhoods in Brussels often referred to as the "poor croissant".

, taking into account the nationality of birth of the parents, 69.16% of Molenbeek's population has recent heritage from non-European countries (predominantly Morocco and Syria), 17.49% is from another European country (mainly Romania, Spain, France, Italy, and Poland), while the native Belgian population is 13.31%.[55] Among all major migrant groups from outside the EU, a majority of the permanent residents have acquired Belgian nationality.[56]

Group of originYear
2023[57]
Number%
Belgians with Belgian background13,08313.31%
Belgians with foreign background56,63057.63%
Neighbouring country1,8731.91%
EU27 (excluding neighbouring country)3,3383.4%
Outside EU 2751,41952.32%
Non-Belgians28,55729.06%
Neighbouring country2,3012.34%
EU27 (excluding neighbouring country)9,7099.88%
Outside EU 2716,54716.84%
Total98,270100%

Politics

Molenbeek is governed by an elected municipal council and an executive college of the mayor and aldermen. The longtime mayor from 1992 to 2012 was Philippe Moureaux (PS). Following the Belgian local elections, 2012, an alternative majority was formed headed by then-mayor Françoise Schepmans (MR) and consisting of MR (15 seats), CDH-CD&V (6 seats) and Ecolo-Groen (4 seats). The Socialist Party (16 seats) became the opposition next to the Workers' Party of Belgium (PTB), Democratic Federalist Independent (DéFI), the ISLAM party and the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), each having one seat.

The 2018 local elections saw PS return to the majority, with a coalition between the aforementioned and MR being agreed upon.[58] The current mayor is .

Molenbeek-Saint-Jean local election – 14 October 2018[59]
bgcolor=white colspan=11
Party
data-sort-type="number"Votesdata-sort-type="number"% data-sort-type="number"Swing (pp)data-sort-type="number"Elected
2018
data-sort-type="number"
sp.a12,12231.342.161
9,26823.963.372
5,26213.619.096
3,2468.393.223
3,1638.180.881
1,8424.760.29
1,3073.380.62
9402.43New-|-| bgcolor=#0F62D9 || align="left" | Molenbeek Act|734|1.90|New||-|-| |695|1.80|2.32||1|-||align="left" | CITOYEN D'EUROPE M3E |95|0.25|New||-|}

Mayors

Historical list of mayors or burgomasters of Molenbeek:

Pre-independence (before 1830)

  • 1800–1812: J.-B. De Roy
  • 1812–1818: FR. De Putte
  • 1818–1819: V. Van Espen
  • 1819–1830: F. Vanderdussen

Kingdom of Belgium (1830–present)

NameStart dateEnd dateLengthPolitical Party
Charles De Roy183018366 years
Pierre-Joseph Meeûs183618426 years
Albert Vanderkindere184318485 years
H.-J.-L. Stevens1848186012 years
J.-B. Debauche186118632 years
L.-A. De Cock1864187511 years
Guillaume Mommaerts187618782 years
Henri Hollevoet1879191132 yearsLiberal
Julien Hanssens191219142 yearsLiberal
Louis Mettewie1914193824 yearsLiberal
Edmond Machtens1938197840 yearsPSB
Marcel Piccart1978198911 yearsPS
FDF
Léon Spiegels198919923 yearsPRL
Philippe Moureaux1992201220 yearsPS
Françoise Schepmans201220186 yearsMR
Catherine Moureaux2018PresentOngoingPS

Sports

As in the rest of Brussels, sport in Molenbeek is under the responsibility of the Communities. The French: Administration de l'Éducation Physique et du Sport (ADEPS) is responsible for recognising the various French-speaking sports federations.[60] Its Dutch-speaking counterpart is Dutch; Flemish: Sport Vlaanderen (formerly called BLOSO).[61]

Football

Molenbeek's historical football club, Racing White Daring Molenbeek, often referred to as RWDM, was very popular until its dissolution in 2002. Its successor, R.W.D.M. Brussels F.C., used to play in the Belgian first division. It folded at the end of 2012–13 as a member of the Belgian Second Division. Since 2023, its reincarnation, RWDM47, is back playing in the first division.[62] The club's home stadium is the Edmond Machtens Stadium.[63]

Other sports

The municipality is home to the Royal Daring Hockey Club Molenbeek, a field hockey club.[64]

Education

Most of Molenbeek pupils between the ages of 3 and 18 go to schools organised by the French-speaking Community or the Flemish Community.

Primary education

There are 17 French-language and six Dutch-language primary schools in Molenbeek.[65]

Secondary education

Transportation

Road network

The French: Boulevard Léopold II|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Leopold II-laan|italic=no in the north of Molenbeek is part of a monumental east–west axis, at the end of which is the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg. Some other main roads that cross the municipality are the French: Chaussée de Gand|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Gentsesteenweg|italic=no, the French: Boulevard Edmond Machtens|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Edmond Machtenslaan|italic=no and the French: Chaussée de Ninove|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Ninoofsesteenweg|italic=no running east–west, as well as the French: Boulevard Louis Mettewie|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Louis Mettewielaan|italic=no running north–south.

Public transport

Molenbeek is served by Brussels' metro lines 1, 2, 5 and 6, with Comte de Flandre/Graaf van Vlaanderen, Étangs Noirs/Zwarte Vijvers, Osseghem/Ossegem, Belgica, Beekkant, Gare de l'Ouest/Weststation (Brussels-West Station), and Ribaucourt stations. Brussels-West and Beekkant are connected to all the metro lines and are multimodal transport hubs in western Brussels. The former will also gain importance in the framework of the Brussels Regional Express Network (RER/GEN)'s development, which will connect the capital and surrounding towns. Additionally, a comprehensive bus and tram service links Molenbeek to other parts of the region. The municipality also has a number Villo! public bicycle stations on its territory.

Waterways

Molenbeek is on the route of the second largest axis of the Belgian network of inland waterways, that is the Antwerp–Brussels–Charleroi axis via the maritime Scheldt, the Maritime Canal and the Brussels–Charleroi Canal.

Parks and green spaces

Green spaces in the municipality include:[69]

  • , a regional nature park of
  • Semi-natural site of the Scheutbos, a protected area of
  • Karreveld Park
  • Marie-José Park
  • Albert Park
  • Muses' Park
  • Hauwaert Park
  • Bonnevie Park
  • Fonderie Park

Notable inhabitants

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Belgium.

Twin towns and sister cities

Molenbeek is twinned with:

References

Bibliography

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 781.887 musulmans vivent en Belgique: découvrez la carte, commune par commune. 2021-09-26. sudinfo.be. fr.
  2. Web site: My Journey To Brussels' Terrorist Safe Haven . Matthew . Levitt . . 27 March 2016 .
  3. Web site: Brussels attacks: Molenbeek's gangster jihadists. BBC. 24 March 2016 . 13 April 2016.
  4. News: The Belgian neighborhood indelibly linked to jihad. The Washington Post. 15 November 2015 . 13 April 2016.
  5. Web site: Beleaguered Molenbeek struggles to fend off jihadist recruiters. The Times of Israel . 3 April 2016 . 13 April 2016.
  6. Web site: World points to "jihad Capital" Molenbeek. Het Nieuwsblad. 16 November 2015 . 13 April 2016.
  7. Web site: Molenbeek-Saint-Jean IBSA. 2021-09-24. ibsa.brussels.
  8. Anne-Cécile Wagner, Molenbeek entre moulins et ruisseau, Le Soir (in French), 15 July 2005
  9. Web site: Histoire en quelques mots – Français. molenbeek.irisnet.be. 2017-01-12.
  10. Web site: Cité Diongre – Inventaire du patrimoine architectural . 2023-11-16 . monument.heritage.brussels . fr.
  11. Web site: 2020 . Étude de cas. Le quartier rural de Molenbeek-Saint-Jean 1869-1930 . 4 June 2023.
  12. Web site: Scheutbos: grand espace vert bruxellois. scheutbos.be. 2019-09-01.
  13. Web site: 2023-09-14 . La Fonderie - Brussels Museum of Industry and Work . 2023-11-16 . Brussels Museums . en.
  14. Web site: Insécurité à Molenbeek. 17 June 2011. fr. Insecurity in Molenbeek. La Capitale. 18 November 2015.
  15. Web site: BBDO zwaar ontgoocheld in Moureaux. 17 June 2011. nl. BBDO greatly disappointed by Moureaux. De Standaard. 18 November 2015.
  16. Web site: Reclamebureau BBDO: 'Geen incidenten meer'. 2021-09-27. bruzz.be. nl.
  17. News: Stroobants . Jean Pierre . Molenbeek, la plaque tournante belge du terrorisme islamiste . 12 April 2016. Le Monde. 16 November 2015 . fr . French: c’est de Molenbeek que sont partis les tueurs du commandant afghan Ahmed Shah Massoud, principal adversaire du régime des talibans, assassiné par deux faux journalistes. .
  18. News: Bartunek . Robert-Jan . Lewis . Barbara . Belgian connection: three held in Brussels over Paris attacks . 11 April 2016 . Reuters. 15 November 2015 . A prominent, Moroccan-born member of the group behind the 2004 Madrid train bombings that killed 191 was from Molenbeek. .
  19. News: Why did the bombers target Belgium?. 11 April 2016 . . 22 March 2016 . Hassan el-Haski – Madrid and Casablanca bombings – A Spanish judge sentenced Haski to 14 years in jail for belonging to a terrorist organisation, in connection with the March 2004 attacks on Madrid. .
  20. Newton-Small . Jay . The Belgian Suburb at the Heart of the Paris Attacks Probe . 11 April 2016 . . 16 November 2015 . May 2014, three people were killed and one injured in a shooting at the Jewish Museum of Belgium by alleged terrorist Mehdi Nemmouche, who is awaiting trial and spent time in Molenbeek .
  21. News:  'Suspect lived in Brussels before attempted Thalys attack'  . Michaël . Torfs . . 25 August 2015 .
  22. News: Lewis . Barbara . Bartunek . Robert-Jan . Belgian connection: three held in Brussels over Paris attacks . Reuters. 11 April 2016 . 15 November 2015 . Molenbeek. The area has been connected with two attacks in France this year. Security officials have said the Islamist who killed people at a Paris kosher grocery in January at the time of the attack on the magazine Charlie Hebdo acquired weapons in the district..
  23. News: Lynch . Julia . Here's why so many of Europe's terrorist attacks come through this one Brussels neighborhood . 11 April 2016 . . 5 April 2016 . Molenbeek had been linked to radical Islamist terrorism. One of 19 'communes' in the Brussels metro area, the neighborhood was home to one of the attackers in the 2004 commuter train bombings in Madrid and to the Frenchman who shot four people at the Jewish Museum in Brussels in August 2014. The Moroccan shooter on the Brussels-Paris Thalys train in August 2015 stayed with his sister there. French police suspect that the weapons used in the Paris supermarket attack connected with the Charlie Hebdo attack in January 2015 were acquired in Molenbeek, and the attackers in the November 2015 Paris bombings were traced to Brussels by way of a parking ticket issued on a rental car in Molenbeek. .
  24. News: Belgian minister says many Muslims 'danced' after attacks . 26 May 2018 . . 16 April 2016 . They threw stones and bottles at police and press during the arrest of Salah Abdeslam. That is the real problem. . https://web.archive.org/web/20180527023926/https://www.yahoo.com/news/belgian-minister-says-many-muslims-danced-attacks-181946174.html . 27 May 2018 . dead .
  25. News: Brussels station suspect had 'nail bomb'. BBC News. 2017-06-21.
  26. News: L'auteur de l'attentat manqué de Bruxelles avait des "sympathies" pour l'État islamique. 21 June 2017. Le Figaro. fr. L'homme abattu par les soldats à la gare centrale de Bruxelles était un Marocain de 36 ans. Il vivait à Molenbeek.
  27. News: Paris attacks: Belgian Abdelhamid Abaaoud identified as presumed mastermind . . 16 November 2015. 16 November 2015.
  28. News: 15 March 2016. Shots in Brussels raid tied to Paris attacks. CNN. 15 March 2016.
  29. Web site: 15 March 2016. Gunfire in Brussels raid on 'Paris attacks suspects'. BBC News. 15 March 2016.
  30. Web site: Paris attacks: Salah Abdeslam 'worth his weight in gold'. BBC News. 21 March 2016. 21 March 2016.
  31. News: Schietpartij in Anderlecht was fait divers . 2 February 2010 . 23 March 2016 . Het Laatste Nieuws.
  32. News: Belgium's Molenbeek home to 51 groups with terror links: report. 28 March 2017. Politico. 20 March 2017.
  33. News: 51 Molenbeekse vzw's verdacht van terreurbanden. 28 March 2017. De Morgen. 20 March 2017.
  34. Web site: Brussels, Belgium Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase) . 2019-07-02 . Weatherbase.
  35. Web site: Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. be.brussels. 18 November 2015.
  36. Web site: Plan canal: des ambitions, une méthode, une équipe Canal.brussels. canal.brussels. en. 2017-04-28.
  37. Web site: Le Cimetière Communal de Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. 2021-10-09.
  38. Web site: Molenbeek-Saint-Jean – Inventaire du patrimoine architectural. 2021-10-06. monument.heritage.brussels. fr.
  39. Web site: The Maison Communale at Molenbeek. visit.brussels. en. 2018-04-30.
  40. Web site: Church of St John the Baptist in Molenbeek. visit.brussels. en. 2018-04-30.
  41. Web site: Molenbeek-Saint-Jean – église Saint-Jean-Baptiste – Parvis Saint-Jean-Baptiste – DIONGRE Joseph. irismonument.be. 2019-09-01.
  42. Web site: Molenbeek-Saint-Jean – Eglise Saint-Rémi – VERAART Chrétien. irismonument.be. 2019-12-14.
  43. Web site: Molenbeek-Saint-Jean – Eglise Sainte-Barbe – Place de la Duchesse de Brabant – PEPERMANS Léopold. irismonument.be. 2019-09-01.
  44. Web site: Festival Bruxellons!.
  45. Web site: MoMuse – MuséeMolenbeekMuseum. momuse.be. 2019-09-01.
  46. Web site: 2020-04-01 . Le Vaartkapoen – Molenbeek-Saint-Jean BE-monumen . 2022-06-25 . be-monumen.be . fr-FR.
  47. Web site: MIMA : ouverture d'un musée du street art au coeur de Molenbeek. 2016-07-26.
  48. Web site: Tour & Taxis perspective.brussels . 2022-06-07 . perspective.brussels . 22 August 2017 . fr.
  49. Web site: École de Cirque de Bruxelles – École de Cirque de Bruxelles. 2019-09-01. fr-FR.
  50. Sources: INS: 1806 to 1981= census; 1990 and later = population on 1 January
  51. Web site: La population de Molenbeek augmente de 25% en 10 ans. fr. The population of Molenbeek increases 25% in 10 years. l'avenir.net. 18 November 2015.
  52. Nationalités IBSA . Brussels Institute for Statistics and Analysis . fr . 10 July 2023 .
  53. Web site: Paris attacks: Visiting Molenbeek, the police no-go zone that was home to two of the gunmen. 17 November 2015. The Independent. 18 November 2015.
  54. Web site: Capadites, Christina. Molenbeek and Schaerbeek: A tale of two tragedies. CBS News. 2016-04-11. 2016-09-12.
  55. Web site: Origin Statbel . 2023-07-04 . statbel.fgov.be.
  56. Web site: 2.738.486 inwoners van vreemde afkomst in België op 01/01/2012 . 2,738,486 inhabitants of foreign origin in Belgium on 01/01/2012 . 12 March 2013 . Npdata.be . nl . 22 October 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191022180710/http://www.npdata.be/BuG/155-Vreemde-afkomst/Vreemde-afkomst.htm . live.
  57. Web site: Origin Statbel . 2023-07-02 . statbel.fgov.be.
  58. Web site: Molenbeek: accord de majorité entre le PS de Catherine Moureaux et le MR de Françoise Schepmans. 17 July 2021. 29 October 2018. French. RTBF.
  59. Web site: Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. 17 July 2021. French.
  60. Web site: Portail officiel du sport en fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles . sport-adeps.be . fr . Official sports portal in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation . 11 November 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171116150111/http://www.sport-adeps.be/ . 16 November 2017 . dead .
  61. Web site: Doe aan sport . Sport.Vlaanderen . nl . Do sports . 11 November 2017.
  62. Web site: 13 May 2023 . RWDM promoveert! Brusselse traditieclub volgend seizoen opnieuw in hoogste klasse na zege tegen RSCA Futures . 2024-02-11 . hln.be . nl.
  63. Web site: Stade & Mobilité . 2024-02-11 . RWDM . fr.
  64. Web site: Royal Daring. 2021-10-23. royaldaring.be.
  65. "Ecoles communales fondamentales"/"Gemeentelijke basisscholen." Sint-Jans-Molenbeek. Retrieved on 8 September 2016.
  66. Web site: Autres écoles – Français. 8 September 2016.
  67. Web site: Campus Toverfluit.
  68. Web site: Andere scholen – Nederlands. 8 September 2016.
  69. Web site: Espaces verts à Molenbeek-Saint-Jean – Français. molenbeek.irisnet.be. 2016-12-29.
  70. Web site: Toots, an icon of the Brussels jazz scene. Visitbrussels.be. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20151208145347/http://visitbrussels.be/bitc/BE_en/content/13065/toots-an-icon-of-the-brussels-jazz-scene.do. 8 December 2015.