Belgium Expels Moroccan Imam Amid Tensions Over Mosque Interference

According to well-informed sources within the intelligence services, the decision to withdraw Mohamed Toujgani’s residence permit would be a signal given by Belgium to the Moroccan authorities, reports RTBF. In 2021, Morocco was accused of interference and espionage in the context of the takeover of the Great Mosque of Brussels. The Security Service designated three mosque associates, including a leader, as members of Moroccan intelligence services.

In the wake of this, the Belgian Minister of Justice, Vincent Van Quickenborne, had suspended the recognition process of the Great Mosque of Brussels on the grounds that these mosque leaders designated to end the influence of Saudi Arabia are suspected of espionage for the account of Morocco. "The tentacles of Morocco extend far and prevent an autonomous Islam from developing in Belgium," he had declared in an interview with the Flemish channel VRT, hammering that the Belgian government "will never accept that other countries try to divert Islam for political purposes".

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The Executive of Muslims of Belgium (EMB), the Association for the Management of the Great Mosque of Brussels and the Coordination Council of Islamic Institutions of Belgium had challenged the accusations about the presence of Moroccan spies at the Great Mosque of Brussels. Reacting to the accusations, the Moroccan ambassador to Belgium, Mohammed Ameur, had stated that they were "unfounded, incomprehensible and unacceptable allegations".