The Brussels Parliament has decided to tighten its visitor regulations following a video of an Imam reciting a prayer in the parliamentary hemicycle that circulated online last Friday.
The incident occurred on 12 January and has been condemned by politicians of various parties. The Parliament has since rushed to defend the neutrality of public institutions: "The Parliament is nothing if not a temple of democracy," said Speaker of the Parliament Rachid Madrane (PS) in reaction to the controversy.
The published video shows Imam Muhammad Ansar Butt reciting verses of the Quran during an awards ceremony organised by the 'Friends of Brussels'. The event was an unofficial parliamentary visit at the invitation of MP Hasan Koyuncu (PS).
The video has elicited widespread outrage, including a flurry of racist reactions online and strong criticism from prominent right-wing politicians. "Brussels is clearly in danger of growing religious and community control," Georges-Louis Bouchez (MR) wrote on social media.
The Imam in question has since written an apology to Madrane. He explained that he wished to "deliver a message of intercultural understanding through inter-religious and philosophical dialogue," stressing that he never intended to undermine the guiding principles and values of the Brussels parliamentary institution – specifically the fundamental principle of non-interference of religion in the state and its institutions.
He conceded that "Belgium and its capital city Brussels have their parliamentary rules and traditions which must be fully respected."
New rules
From now on, all visits and lists of visitors to Parliament must obtain explicit approval from the institution's decision-making body before taking place. A committee consisting of the President, the Parliamentary Clerk and Deputy Clerk, one member of the majority and one member of the opposition will review each visit request. Visits will be accompanied by a staff member at all times.
In addition, visitors are no longer allowed to sit in the seats that typically belong to the President, Vice-President and Secretary, the exception being for events organised by the Youth Parliament.
Anyone who violates the new regulations will be subject to sanctions. MPs will debate the new rulebook on Friday.
