Sint-Jans-Molenbeek

Geschiedenis

Sint-Jans-Molenbeek or Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, often simply called Molenbeek, is one of 19 municipalities in the Brussels-Capital Region (Belgium). It is bordered by the City of Brussels, Anderlecht, Sint-Agatha-Berchem, Dilbeek, Jette and Koekelberg. Sint-Jans-Molenbeek is bordered to the east by the Brussels-Charleroi Canal. The Molenbeek brook, from which it takes its name, flows through the municipality. In common with all the Brussels municipalities, it is legally bilingual.In 2014, the municipality had a population of 94,854 inhabitants. It is densely populated, at 16,357/km², twice the average of Brussels. The upper area is greener and less densely populated.In 2015, the municipality gained international attention as the base of Islamist terrorists, who carried out attacks in both France and Belgium. The municipality's mayor has described it as "a breeding ground for violence". The commune of Molenbeek has gained a reputation for being a safe haven for jihadists in relation to the support shown by some residents towards the bombers who carried out terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels.