The Averroès Mosque in Jette posted a message on its social media announcing the arrival of Imam Mohamed Toujgani to deliver a sermon. Given Toujgani’s controversial past and his return to Belgium, the announcement quickly sparked controversy.
Toujgani was expelled from the country following serious allegations by the State Security Service concerning radicalism, antisemitic remarks, links to extremist networks, and espionage on behalf of Morocco. The then State Secretary for Asylum and Migration, Sammy Mahdi (CD&V), revoked his residence permit, and Toujgani was also handed a ten-year entry ban.
Before the ban was imposed, Toujgani had submitted two applications: one to extend his stay in Belgium and another to obtain Belgian citizenship. Investigations conducted by the parliamentary oversight body Committee I found insufficient evidence to conclude that the imam posed a threat to national security.
Following a legal dispute between the State Security Service on one side and Committee I together with the Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis (OCAD) on the other, the Court of Appeal ruled in August 2024 that Toujgani could obtain Belgian citizenship. As a result, he was able to return to Belgium without impediment.
His return as a preacher has already triggered strong political reactions. MR chairman Georges-Louis Bouchez stated that his party “will ensure that he can no longer deliver sermons”.
However, under Belgian law, banning a religious sermon is only possible where there is a concrete risk of disruption to public order. The Mayor of Jette, Claire Vandevivere, has not yet responded publicly.
