The Rise of Political Islam in Belgium: A Growing Threat

Belgium is undergoing a dangerous transformation driven by the rise of political Islam, which is challenging the foundations of its secular democracy. At the forefront of this movement is the Islam Party, led by Moroccan-born Fouad Ahidar. His growing political influence has sparked concerns across Belgium, raising the possibility that it could become Europe’s first nation where Sharia law takes hold through democratic processes.

Fouad Ahidar: The Architect of Belgium’s Islamic Shift

Fouad Ahidar’s journey from a Moroccan immigrant to a rising political force in Belgium mirrors the larger threat posed by political Islam. Initially a member of the left-wing Socialist Party (Vooruit), Ahidar was expelled in 2023 after his vocal support for Hamas and opposition to banning Halal slaughter. The Halal slaughter practice, beyond its religious significance, has been linked to financial flows benefiting extremist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah. This position led to a rupture with the Socialist Party, but Ahidar quickly responded by forming his own political faction in early 2024: Team Fouad Ahidar (TFA).

TFA is not a fringe group. In the June 2024 elections, it stunned political analysts by securing 16.5% of the vote in Brussels, earning three seats in the Brussels Parliament and one in the Flemish Parliament. This success was further solidified during the October local elections, where TFA gained 10.8% of the vote in Brussels, translating to five seats in the capital’s local government. TFA’s victories are not isolated events—they represent a broader trend of political Islam gaining ground in Belgium.

Allahu Akbar Belgium!

Meet Fouad Ahidar. He is a Moroccan Muslim who moved to Belgium and became "actively" involved in politics. He dreams of Belgium becoming Europe's first Islamic nation…

Fouad Ahidar recently formed a political party named Team Fouad Ahidar. He… pic.twitter.com/hdVmHoKoNW

— Amy Mek (@AmyMek) June 11, 2024

TFA’s Radical Agenda: An Assault on Belgium’s Secular Values

TFA’s platform is clear: the party seeks to reshape Belgium’s legal and cultural frameworks to align with Sharia (Islamic law), including oppressive norms for women. The party opposes restrictions on Islamic veils like the Niqab and Burqa, which are symbols of control and subjugation, and actively campaigns for government employees to be allowed to wear Sharia-adherent attire. This push for religiously oppressive dress codes reflects a broader agenda of imposing Sharia’s restrictive rules on women’s freedoms. Even more concerning is their open support for Hamas, a terrorist organization, which Ahidar infamously downplayed as a “small reaction by a part of Hamas” after their brutal terror attacks on innocent Israelis.

Ahidar’s rhetoric has crossed into dangerous territory, especially with his frequent antisemitic remarks. He has referred to Jews as “psychopaths”,  “serial killers” and accused Israel of committing “genocide.” His stances on Hamas, along with TFA’s alignment with radical Islamic ideologies, signal a clear departure from democratic norms. The party represents not just a political threat but a cultural one, aiming to dismantle Belgium’s secular identity in favor of Sharia-based governance.

Belgium’s Demographic Transformation: The Fertile Ground for Political Islam

Belgium’s shifting demographics have provided the fertile ground necessary for political Islam’s rise. Today, 46% of Brussels’ population is of non-European origin, with a significant portion of this demographic identifying as Muslim. This transformation has allowed Islamist parties like TFA to capitalize on growing Muslim communities, particularly in areas like Molenbeek and Anderlecht, where TFA received 14.6% and 14.1% of the vote, respectively.

Molenbeek, long known as a hub for jihadist activity, has been described as a breeding ground for Islamic extremism. It housed several terrorists responsible for the 2015 Islamic attacks in Paris and Brussels and remains a center of radicalization. TFA’s electoral success in these neighborhoods is a sign that political Islam is taking deep root in areas with large Muslim populations, raising concerns that these regions may increasingly operate under informal Sharia-based community norms.

The Spread of Sharia Law: A Real and Present Danger

The rise of TFA is more than just a political story—it is a warning that Sharia is creeping into Belgium’s institutions and public spaces. Ahidar and his party are not simply participating in Belgium’s democratic process; they are using it as a vehicle to dismantle the very foundations of democracy. Their vision for Belgium is one where Islamic law overrides secular values, and where individual freedoms are sacrificed in favor of religious dictates.

This trend is not confined to Belgium. Across Europe, Islamic parties are leveraging growing Muslim populations to push for more influence, often under the guise of democratic participation. TFA’s rise in Belgium serves as a warning that political Islam is not a theoretical threat—it is an unfolding reality that will reshape Europe’s political landscape if left unchecked.

The Role of Foreign Funding and Islamic Influence

Belgium’s shift toward political Islam has been aided by significant foreign support. Hundreds of mosques across the country are funded by Islamic nations such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Morocco. These foreign-backed mosques serve as platforms for spreading Islam, often with imams handpicked by foreign governments. These imams play a crucial role in shaping the political and cultural views of Belgium’s growing Muslim population, providing a base of support for parties like TFA.

TFA’s success is deeply intertwined with this foreign influence. Islamic communities in Brussels and other major cities provide a steady stream of votes, while financial backing from foreign entities allows TFA to operate as a formidable political force. The interconnectedness between foreign governments and local Islamic movements poses a direct challenge to Belgium’s sovereignty and its ability to maintain a secular, democratic state.

A Secular Belgium Under Siege

The rise of TFA is part of a larger trend in Belgium—one that threatens to erode the country’s secular democracy and replace it with an Islamic state governed by Sharia law. With over 26 regional and federal deputies of Moroccan origin and several Muslim mayors already holding office, the political landscape in Belgium is shifting rapidly in favor of those who would see the country transformed into an Islamic enclave.

The refusal of major parties like Open Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten (Open VLD) and Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (N-VA) to cooperate with TFA is a positive step, but as TFA’s influence grows, the possibility of the party being part of future coalitions cannot be ruled out. The success of Islamic parties like TFA highlights the urgency of addressing the demographic and political shifts that are reshaping Belgium’s future.

The Battle for Belgium’s Future

Belgium now faces a critical juncture. Will it uphold its secular values and democratic principles, or will it succumb to the growing influence of political Islam? The rise of TFA is not just a warning—it’s a call to action for those who believe in the preservation of Belgium’s secular identity. The country’s future hangs in the balance, and the decisions made in the coming years will determine whether Belgium remains a secular democracy or transforms into a state governed by Sharia.

The stakes are high, and the battle for Belgium’s soul has only just begun.