Mawa'ed Al-Rahman in Brussels are not for impoverished Muslims only, but also to all of the poverty-stricken and all those unable to make ends meet regardless of their faith

By Khaled Shawkat, IOL correspondent

BRUSSELS, October 29 (IslamOnline.net) – With the country's 244 mosques filled to capacity and collective iftar dinners for the poor and needy from all religions held, the Islamic holy month of Ramadan brings in a unique atmosphere for Muslims here.

Mosques play a key role during the month, by raising funds for Mawa'ed Al-Rahman, iftar dinner occasions in which food is given for free to the poor Muslims to break their fast.

Interestingly, the food has a Moroccan flavor, since Moroccans are the majority of Muslims in the country.

"Mawa'ed Al-Rahman in Brussels are not for impoverished Muslims only, but also to all of the poverty-stricken and all those unable to make ends meet regardless of their faith," Nabil Bahri, a Muslim activist, said.

"It is a charitable action exceeding the limits of religion to include all humans,"  Bahri boasted.

He cited Al-Muwahedeen mosque in the district of Middy, where food is offered to 300 to 400 people every day during the holy month.

Prominent Scholars

Clearly, mosques are teeming with worshippers for the Night Prayer and Tarawih during the month, which is always associated with piety, said Bahri.

Most of the mosques are keen to host scholars and Imams from Europe, Arab and Islamic countries for giving lectures on Islamic teachings, a chance grabbed by many here seeking to mount up their knowledge of their own religion.

The scholars are mainly from Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries, Jordan and Al-Azhar.

In Al-Khalil mosque and others run by Moroccan immigrants, most of the imams hail from the Arab Maghreb country.

Belgium had recognized Islam in 1974 as an official religion, but the recognition was first put in practice after 2001.

An executive council was formed of 19 members representing Muslims in all sects and communities.

The start of the holy month, during which Muslims refrain from food until sunset, depends on the lunar calendar and the sighting of the new moon.

In Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Sudan and Yemen, Sunday marked the beginning of the fast.

In the six Gulf monarchies - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman - as well as Lebanon, Syria and Shiite Iran, Ramadan began Monday.