Religious Leaders Rally in Brussels for Looser COVID Restrictions on Worship

Even if gatherings are allowed, the limit is 15 people, regardless of the size or number of rooms in the place of worship. Children up to the age of 12 and the minister of worship are not counted. Measures which, according to the demonstrators, are restrictive and undermine the freedom of religion, a right guaranteed by the Constitution.

For Najat, who is Muslim, this demonstration is an opportunity to make the authorities bend, who think about easing measures in other sectors but forget to look into the case of religious denominations. "It is a civic action that asks that the authorities be a little logical, especially with the measures they take. For me it doesn’t make sense. Worship is also essential," reports bx1.be.

Cornélie is a Christian. She also came to the demonstration to protest against measures that she considers quite tough and unfair. She explains that her brothers and sisters in the faith miss her terribly. "We no longer rub shoulders with the people we confided in, with whom we prayed. It’s true that there’s the phone, but it’s always good to see each other and exchange, to pray together."

The organizers of the demonstration criticize the limitation of the number of people in a place of worship. For Julien Sebert, spokesperson for the Christians, the limitation of the number of people must take into account the size of the building. "It’s crazy to allow stores and others to open and welcome people but not places of worship. We just want to have more possibilities with the promise of respecting the barrier gestures. But we need this relaxation at the level of our different places of worship. It’s vital."

Mohamed Azaitraoui, spokesperson for the Federation of Mosques of Brussels, explained that a few months ago, when the health situation was no less serious than it is now, up to 200 people were admitted during a religious celebration. He stresses that the demonstration only concerns places of worship.

In addition, an online petition, "Free our places of worship" has been initiated and has already recorded more than 9,000 signatures.