The acting mayor of Molenbeek, Saliha Raïss (Vooruit), has faced criticism after she responded to the backlash over her decision to wear a headscarf.
During a municipal council meeting that was held on 27 August, Raïss responded to online comments accusing her of prioritising social media over local policy issues. In her remarks, she addressed those who objected to her or other women wearing the headscarf.
In the video that is circulating on social media and was "CapCut", Raïs said: "If those people who wear curtain-like fabrics - I can give the references, if you want - disturb you so much, if you don’t even want to see us any longer … Brussels has 19 municipalities. If Molenbeek is apparently so unliveable, change municipalities, go elsewhere, get out!"
🤯 Voilà la notion de vivre ensemble selon la gauche… 🌹 Cette dame c’est Saliha Raiss, élue sur une liste PS Vooruit, échevine à #Molenbeek. 🗣️ Et elle explique, avec ce rire forcé, nerveux et arrogant que si vous êtes en faveur l’interdiction des signes convictionnels dans… pic.twitter.com/qALMS9E1GD
— Georges-L BOUCHEZ (@GLBouchez) August 30, 2025
Her comments quickly spread online and have attracted criticism both in Belgium and internationally.
In Belgium
First, MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez shared it on his socials on Saturday morning, highlighting the video sequence in which Raïss made these remarks: "Here is the notion of living together according to the left. (…) She is therefore imposing a new cultural norm, a denial of the state's neutrality, and tells those who want to uphold our country's model of living together that they can clear off if they are not happy. Where is the racism in this case? Does the Socialist Party support these remarks? This communitarianism must stop!"
🤯 Voilà la notion de vivre ensemble selon la gauche… 🌹 Cette dame c’est Saliha Raiss, élue sur une liste PS Vooruit, échevine à #Molenbeek. 🗣️ Et elle explique, avec ce rire forcé, nerveux et arrogant que si vous êtes en faveur l’interdiction des signes convictionnels dans… pic.twitter.com/qALMS9E1GD
— Georges-L BOUCHEZ (@GLBouchez) August 30, 2025
Internationally
The controversy has also crossed into international online debate after Elon Musk retweeted the CapCut video of Saliha Raïss, initially posted by RadioGenoa, an account known for far-right, xenophobic content and misinformation about immigration. The edited clip, stripped of its broader context, was widely circulated on X, fueling hostile narratives and amplifying misleading claims about Raïss’s intervention in the Molenbeek council meeting.
Belgians must leave Belgium!?
This is insane. https://t.co/5UUPWY1NDv — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 31, 2025
The context
Raiss's remarks must be understood within the broader context of racist comments made online. She was addressing Councillor Didier Milis (MR), who had questioned Deputy Josiane Dostie (PTB) about animal welfare in Molenbeek.
Milis expressed regret that Dostie, who was on holiday, had not replied to his emails, while pointing out that she had nevertheless commented on a MR Facebook post. That post, however, contained racist remarks, which Dostie has asked to be moderated, including the following: "The mayor is wearing a curtain on her head, what a disgrace," a reference to Raïss, who wears a headscarf and was serving as acting mayor at the time.
Taking the floor, Raiss denounced the remarks as "deplorable and disgusting", accusing Milis of condoning "openly racist comments" and adding that his party leader, Georges-Louis Bouchez, was a "bad example" who had a negative influence on others in the MR party.
She went on to state that those opposed to headscarves should "get out" of Molenbeek. While her remark was aimed at critics within the context of racist comments on a Facebook post, rather than at all Belgians or Europeans, it was phrased in a way that left room for ambiguity.
The following video provides the broader context; the debate in question begins at 5:11:23.
The remarks have also sparked debate in France, where right-wing media outlets such as Le Figaro and CNews picked up the story.
In France, the wearing of religious symbols by public officials has long been a recurring source of controversy, and the incident in Molenbeek resonated strongly within that context.
Once again, Molenbeek, often at the centre of discussions on integration and multiculturalism, has found itself in the spotlight.
As for Raïss, she told La Dernière Heure that she is considering filing a complaint accusing Georges Louis Bouchez of "manipulation" and spreading "lies" with what she described as a "doctored" video. "I am preparing a dossier to file a complaint" she confirmed.
Meanwhile, Het Laatste Niews reached out to the spokesperson of Vooruit leader Conner Rousseau for a response to the controversy and to Raïss's statement, but no reply has been yet received.
