BRUSSELS, May 30, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – A mosque in the Eastern Belgian city of Liege capped 15 years of diligent work with setting itself up as a paradigm for the pivotal role Muslims can play in their European societies.

From inter-faith dialogue and Islamic awareness courses to blood donation and street adornment campaigns, the Islamic Cultural Center in Liege – better known as Al-Itassam Mosque – helps boost Muslim integration efforts in the Belgian society.

“It further distinguished itself by being the first mosque in Belgium to deliver sermons both in Arabic and French since it has been established,” mosque imam Mostafa Al-Turki told IslamOnline.net Sunday, May 29.

He said over the past 15 years, there has been a ten-fold increase in the mosque’s space to accommodate a growing number of Muslim worshipers, which rose 20 times.

Turki said the mosque’s variant services are directed at both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

“The mosque organizes annual meetings and invite intellectuals from Europe and the Muslim world for a constructive dialogue with non-Muslims,” he said.

“The mosque also receives dozens of Belgian schoolchildren to educate them about Islam and remove psychological barriers that impede their communication with Muslims.”

Turki said the mosque further organizes blood donation campaigns for Belgian hospitals and raise funds for NGOs out of pure Islamic values that encourage beneficence.

“Mosque volunteers also launch campaigns to adorn and clean streets of the district,” he added.

“These activities are supervised by different committees whose members have an impressive command of the native language and are fully acquainted with the Belgian culture.”

Turki additionally said that the mosque holds year-long courses to teach Arabic and help Muslims memorize the Noble Qur’an.

“Up to 200 Belgians have embraced Islam, thanks to the mosque’s sublime message,” he said.

The role of Muslim women is also crucial for the success of the social work.

“They supervise some activities, especially those related to teens, patients and the elderly,” Turki added.

Belgium became the first European country to recognize Islam in 1974. It has a Muslim population of some 500,000 with Moroccans representing 50% followed by Turks and Albanians.