Belgium’s Muslim Executive to Hire Female Theologians to Combat Radicalization

"The project goes back several years. [...] We realized that many young girls were affected by the phenomenon of radicalization and that there was a lack of supervision of the Muslim community in general, and of women and girls in particular. With the exception of ’self-proclaimed’ preachers who criss-crossed the mosques without any official recognition," said Salah Echallaoui, vice-president of the Executive of Muslims of Belgium.

According to him, these women will play "roughly the same (role) as an imam," except for leading the prayer, which is the duty of men in the entire Muslim community. "These theologians and preachers will participate in the religious life of the community; they will be in and around the mosques, can give lectures, participate in religious ceremonies such as circumcisions, weddings, listen to people, solve their couple problems that are related to a religious and theological aspect," explained Salah Echallaoui. He added that these theologians and preachers will not be dependent on a particular mosque. They will be ’itinerant’, in the sense that they will criss-cross the mosques in the three regions.

After their recruitment, they will benefit from ongoing training, like the imams. According to Salah Echallaoui, this network of theologians is part "of the project to create a well-rooted and enlightened religiosity in society, which does not contradict modern society."

The same project has existed in Morocco for more than a decade and is known as the Murchidât. "The experience was very interesting at the beginning for its symbolism," says Moroccan theologian Asma Lamrabet. For her, beyond the symbolism, the Murchidâts have a very important social role. "But as for the experience in Morocco, it has become a bit out of breath," she laments.