Jette residents concerned new mosque will create traffic problems

According to a Jette alderwoman, many Jette residents fear that the construction of a new mosque will impact traffic circulation in their neighbourhood.

A notice announcing the tentative plans for the new mosque was posted on August 29. “The document has been up for less than a week, but we’ve already received many responses,” urbanism alderwoman Shirley Doyen told Bruzz. “Neighbourhood residents are primarily concerned about traffic circulation in the area. The plans can be reviewed at city hall. Nothing has been decided yet.”

The planning permit for the mosque was submitted by the Averroes non-profit and the funds for its construction partly raised through crowdfunding.

In addition to the traditional prayer spaces, the five-storey mosque will include a gym, cafeteria, multipurpose room for cultural activities and temporary housing for people in need.

According to imam Boubker Macbahi, the driving force behind the project, €500,000 have already been raised. An additional €500,000 would be needed to complete the first phase of the mosque. “Now that things are moving ahead, we expect to receive new donations,” he said.

Photo: Belga / Eric Lalmand

Written by Linda A. Thompson