Ramadan is an important period in the Muslim calendar, as the month of fasting strengthens religious devotion, thankfulness, and the importance of community. To break fast on the evening of Friday 17 June, Molenbeek’s church of Saint John the Baptist hosted an enormous Iftar celebration for Muslims in the area.

Around 600 individuals of diverse religious backgrounds gathered in the place of worship Mosques. Each participant was expected to bring a dish which was mostly made of typical Ramadan food, as well as traditional Muslim dishes. (See pictures) Several discussions took place before the 10 pm meal.

Molenbeek is a Brussels municipality that has made headlines since the November Paris attacks, as the majority of the terrorists involved came from this neighborhood. Although political scientists such as Gilles Kepel and Philosophers such as Alain Finkielkraut do not have much positive to say about the commune, some others, French politician Daniel Cohn-Bendit for example, think that generalising the population of Molenbeek under one pejorative reputation lead to stigmatisation, leaving no opportunity to better integrate the population.

This is the second time the commune organises a collective breaking of the fast. Last year, around 300 people participated in Iftar in the local communal space to bring Molenbeek together.

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