If you are reading this site, you probably know that it's the capital of Belgium. But I'm sure most people worldwide wouldn't know that, and fewer could even find it on a map.

Nonetheless, it is a very important city. It is essentially the capital of the European Union, since the European Commission and the Council of the European Union, among other institutions, are headquartered there. It's also the location of NATO headquarters.

It's a very old European city, with a history going back to at least 695 A.D. But just in the last decade, the old is giving way to the new. The city's Muslim minority is rapidly becoming a majority.

Recently, a group called SIOE (stop the Islamisation of Europe) filed for permission to hold a demonstration on the anniversary of 9/11. According to them, the intention is not political, but to peacefully and safely:

They also have an online petition here. (BTW, I agree with their cause but I don't think this is the most eloquent slogan, and it probably sounds better in the author's native Danish)

In any case,the petition was denied. Brussels only denies about 5-6 out of 500-600 requests per year, and this was one of them because:

"The risk for public order is too high”, said [Mayor Freddy Thielemans'] spokesperson Nicolas Dassonville. “There is a large foreign community in the vicinity, which might react violently. Moreover, the organization stated on their website they will use clearly Islamophobic language.” It can be found on the site that “the Muslims in Europe are trying to found parallel societies”

If he thinks that the latter claim is just "islamaphobic" propaganda, then obviously Mr. Dassonville doesn't read the newspapers much. I posted similar statements by European imams here on my web site, and these are but a few of many.

To be fair, the mayor does have some reason to be nervous. "Ramadan riots" by Muslim youths have become a tradition in Brussels. But it's ironic that Freddy Thielemans' camp calls SIOE "islamaphobic", when it is themselves who seem to automatically assume that the "foreign community" (i.e. Muslims) will react violently... Furthermore, this penchant for violence is one of the core reasons why this demonstration is long overdue!
Full article here.. Shield of Achilles