Photo Feature: Molenbeek, the Brussels Neighbourhood that Everyone's Talking About
Photographs by John Vink of the Brussels borough Molenbeek, stigmatised by the media the world over after evidence was found linking some of its radicalised Muslim residents with the perpetrators of the Paris attacks last November.
A girl plays with her umbrella in front of masked policemen in Ransfort street who prevent access to the security perimeter set up during an operation around Delaunoy street in the predominantly Muslim borough of Molenbeek Saint Jean, Brussels, in connection with the terrorists attacks in Paris.
Brussels: It was after the November 2015 terror attacks in Paris that Molenbeek suddenly became, in the eyes of the world, a terrorist hotbed.
Molenbeek is one of the 19 boroughs of Brussels. It has a large Muslim population, and high unemployment and petty crime rates.
After the attacks, which were claimed by IS, evidence was found between the perpetrators and radicalised members of the Muslim community from Molenbeek.
The Sunday market next to the Molenbeek city hall.
The Place de Brouckère subway station, closed. Following the Paris attacks, a level 4 alert (the highest) was announced in Brussels, closing the subway, shopping malls, and cinemas, leaving the centre of the city empty on a usually busy Saturday night.
An army truck passes in front of a souvenir shop near the central Grand Place market.
After the Paris attacks, hundreds of journalists contributed to creating the image of Molenbeek as a 'terrorist hotbed.' The effects were felt by its mostly law-abiding citizens.
Ahmed El Khanouss, councilman for social affairs and economic development at Molenbeek, after the Paris attacks.
Inhabitants photograph the media circus stationed in front of the Molenbeek city hall.
One must realise that there are many other Molenbeeks – in Belgium itself, and also in France, and Great Britain. The societal failures leading to the Islamisation of a minority of radicalized citizens who are left to drift away – this scenario is not unique to Molenbeek.
How can a country where self-centred citizens who question the very existence of their own institutions be aware of the needs of other communities, and anticipate the problems they are confronted with now?
Nationalism, exclusion, racism and alienation close doors; they do not open them.
Masked policemen prevent access to Rue Ransfort and the Rue Delaunoy area in Molenbeek during an operation at house number 75.
A security check in the Rue Ransfort area.
Residents talk to the press during the police operation in the Rue Delaunoy area.
The press is kept away from the scene during the police operation.
Masked policemen prevent residents from going home.
Terrorists are always targeting the weak spots (Belgium certainly is one). They sow the seeds of fear, instil discord, and whip communities up against each other.
But Belgium has been at the crossroads of so many cultures over the centuries, the battleground for so many armies, the breeding ground for so many artistic geniuses. And it has always used its diversity to nurture its creativity.
Multiculturalism is a strength. It has always been so – why would it be any different today?
Molenbeek is an asset, not a threat.
There will be a price to pay, but in the long run, the terrorists will lose.
Responding to the stigmatisation of the Muslim community of Molenbeek after the Paris attacks, a number of local organisations held a demonstration to express solidarity with the victims and stress the fact that the majority of the population of Molenbeek has little to do with its radicalised elements.
All the photographs on this page are the copyright of John Vink.
John Vink is a Magnum photographer. Born in Belgium, his photographs can be seen on Instagram and Tumblr.
This article went live on March twenty-ninth, two thousand sixteen, at two minutes past ten in the morning.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
