BRUSSELS, Nov 18 (KUNA) - More than 250,000 residents out of a total population of one million in Brussels have Muslim roots, according to a study carried out by the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium and published in the Belgian media Friday. The study was carried out by Felice Dasetto, a sociologist and a professor at the university who is considered to be an expert in issues relating to Muslims in Belgium.
Brussels the political capital of the European Union accounts for half of the total number of Muslims in Belgium. The figure puts Belgium among other European cities with a big Muslim presence like Birmingham in the UK, says teh study.
It claims that the Islamic presence is becoming more and more visible in Brussels with more mosques and minarets, more women wearing a veil and more Muslim organisations. The study argues that the Islamic faith has the power to mobilise people to a a very big extent, more than for example the Catholic church or political parties. (end) nk.ajs KUNA 181826 Nov 11NNNN