Belgium’s Molenbeek: Redirecting Kids Away From Extremism

BRUSSELS — 

Learning how to build apps, hike in the mountains or expand creative skills such as printing T-shirts are just some of the projects organized for young people in Molenbeek, home to one of the largest Muslim communities in Brussels.

Located across a canal from the Belgian capital's city center, the historically working-class neighborhood captured the world's attention last year when it was revealed that those involved in the November terrorist attack in Paris, and the March attack in Brussels, were linked to the borough. Of the estimated 540 Belgians who traveled to the Middle East to fight for extremist groups, 47 are said to have come from this small enclave.

While most Molenbeek residents are tired of discussing Islamic radicalization, many believe that getting youngsters involved in sports and neighborhood projects are vital to discouraging the path to extremism.

Something to focus on

Nabil Fallah, a 22-year-old student who first became involved with neighborhood projects at the age of 15, is now an active Molenbeek volunteer, providing kids with basketball lessons in addition to organizing an annual talent show and summer camps.

For Fallah, the neighborhood's 40 percent unemployment rate makes it critical to engage young people in constructive activities.

“When you don’t have anything to do and are bored, you will start trying things that are not allowed and get into the criminal world," he said. "And when you get in too deep, you can’t come back. Youth projects are important to give you something to do and focus on."

Teenagers stretch during boxing training at the Brussels Boxing Academy, Brussels, Belgium, Sept. 2016. (M. van der Wolf/VOA)

With particularly high youth unemployment, dropout and poverty rates, Fallah says the activities and classes have to be affordable for everyone, meaning that they are frequently offered free of charge, or for a small fee.

Teaching structure, values and respect

Among the few organizations that cater to people in their late teens is the Brussels Boxing Academy, whose 550 members draw largely from impoverished neighborhoods such as Molenbeek. Despite the Academy’s strong focus on social activities, five members traveled to Syria to become jihadi fighters.

According to trainer Tom Flachett, the boxing club — which is the last link with society for some members — can teach youth about structure, values and respect.

Often, he says, the trainers spend a lot of time giving special attention to those who might need it.

“They might have dark thoughts or are struggling with themselves or society, or maybe they’re creating problems in the neighborhood, doing illegal things or not getting along in school, or isolating themselves," he said. "For them, we develop some activities to work on their personality and try to help by solving concrete issues they’re facing.”

Ibrahim Ouassari (2-L) is the founder of the "MolenGeek" project, teaching young people about IT and entrepreneurship, Brussels, Belgium, Sept. 2016. (M. van der Wolf/VOA)

Because Flachett and his fellow trainers lack a formal training in social work, they receive no support for their projects, though they did recently ask city officials for the assistance of a trained professional.​

Offering ‘hope for the future’

For Ibrahim Ouassari, who dropped out of school when he was 13, the path to a brighter future required taking his own initiative. As a self-trained IT entrepreneur, he started the MolenGeek project in 2015, a place where youngsters are introduced to entrepreneurship and technology.

His own background, he hopes, can help inspire others.

“I am a role model for these youngsters, because I am from here," he told VOA, describing some young people from Molenbeek as "lacking hope."

"It’s important to give people perspective and hope," he said. "People from Molenbeek are conditioned to become a taxi driver, not conditioned to be the next Mark Zuckerberg. Making the world of technology accessible to young people gives them a goal and a future.”

Some would say that requires the Belgian government to earmark funds for the very kids that Ouassari is trying to help. While city officials promised to spend $450 million to fight extremism this year, none has been allocated for local youth.

Karolien Orr, who has been a street corner worker in Molenbeek for more than 10 years, says it’s disappointing that none of that money will be spent on education, social work or neighborhood projects.

“All the money is going to repression," he said. "For the last 10 years, as we have been repeating, the gap between rich and poor is growing and more kids here are growing up in poverty.

"Investing in the neighborhood could improve the overall well-being and identity development for the young people here,” he said.

Source: http://www.voanews.com/a/belgium-brussels-molenbeek-extremism-radicalization/3512720.html