Lebanese Belgians
Total population | |
---|---|
8,000 (2006 est.)[1] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
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Languages | |
Lebanese Arabic,FrenchandDutch | |
Religion | |
Islam,ChristianityandAtheism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Lebanese people,Lebanese diaspora |
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Lebanese people |
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Lebanese people,who come from various religious andethnic groups,form a distinct community inBelgiumas part of the globalLebanese diaspora.It was estimated in 2006 that there were 8,000 Belgians who identified as Lebanese in terms of origin or descent. More recent estimates put their numbers at only 3,500.[1][2]The majority areBelgian citizensand live in major cities such asBrusselsandAntwerp.In addition, it was reported the same year that 1,200 were living inLebanon.[3]They sometimes refer to themselves asBelgo-LibanaisinFrenchorBelgisch-LibaneesinDutch.[1]
Although small in contrast to the much largerMoroccanandTurkish communities,the different ethnic and religious groups from within Lebanon are represented in Belgium. This includes a significantMaronite Christiancommunity which traces its origin to traders who settled in Belgium during the 19th century. Some Maronites are involved in the trade ofdiamondsin theAntwerp diamond district.[4]Restaurants servingLebanese cuisineexist in numerous Belgian towns and cities.[5]A small Lebanese community existed in theBelgian Congobefore its independence in 1960.[6]
TheArab European Leaguewas founded byDyab Abou Jahjah,Lebanese-Belgian activist, as aPan-Arabist political groupin Belgium which is a vocal exponent ofPalestinian nationalism.It was criticised for participating in violent racist andantisemiticdemonstrations in Antwerp in 2002.[7]The2006 Lebanon Warwas reported to have brought different ethnic and religious denominations within the community together. Around 20 Lebanese-Belgian men are believed to have travelled to Lebanon throughLibyain 2006 to fight against Israel.[1][2]Mohammad Bazzi,a Belgian-Lebanese, has been accused of being a "key financier" ofHezbollah.[8]
The Belgian-Lebanese community held small demonstrations in Brussels in sympathy with the2019–2020 Lebanese protestsin November 2019.[9]It also organised humanitarian aid to be sent toBeirutin the aftermath of the2020 Beirut explosion.[10]
Notable people
[edit]- Dyab Abou Jahjah(b. 1971), Pan-Arabist political activist and polemicist
- Khalil Sehnaoui(b. 1975), hacker and internet security consultant
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abcdBuxant, Martin (4 August 2006)."Sous le signe du Cèdre".La Libre Belgique.Retrieved28 July2020.
- ^ab"Des Belgo-Libanais s'en vont se battre sur le front"(in French).La Libre Belgique.18 July 2006.Retrieved28 July2020.
- ^"Belgians prepare to flee violence in Lebanon".Expatica. 17 July 2006.Retrieved28 July2020.
- ^Traynor, Ian (23 June 2009)."Recession takes the sparkle out of Antwerp's diamond quarter".The Guardian.Retrieved28 July2020.
- ^Vanspauwen, Bruno (16 October 2018)."Beiroet in het eten: de Libanese keuken in België".Knack.Retrieved29 July2020.
- ^Rubbers, Benjamin (2009).Faire fortune en Afrique. Anthropologie des derniers colons du Katanga.Paris: Karthala. p. 186.ISBN9782811102722.
- ^Tessier, Yann (28 November 2002)."Arab murder sparks two days of riots in Antwerp".The Guardian.Retrieved28 July2020.
- ^"Un Belge soupçonné de terrorisme arrêté en Roumanie".RTBF(in French). BELGA. 25 February 2023.Retrieved25 July2023.
- ^"Belgische Libanezen komen op straat: 'We willen het volksprotest ook hier laten zien'"(in Dutch).Bruzz.1 November 2019.Retrieved29 July2020.
- ^Zoutberg, Amée (17 August 2020)."Lebanese Belgians organise aid transport of 5,000 tonnes to Beirut".The Brussels Times.Retrieved17 August2020.