Within the Jubelpark’s embrace stands the Mosquée Imam Malik. Its story begins not with prayer but with a panorama. In 1897 a neo-Moorish pavilion housed Emile Wauters’ breathtaking Cairo and the Banks of the Nile. This massive canvas a spectacle of its time later found a new purpose.
The Mosquée Imam Malik wasn’t always a mosque. Originally the Oriental Pavilion of the 1897 Brussels International Exposition it was built by architect Ernest Van Humbeeck. Sadly after the exposition neglect led to deterioration. The pavilion was even dismantled in 1971. The once vibrant painting disappeared leaving only fragments in private collections.
Yet the building’s story continued. In 1967 King Baudouin of Belgium gifted this structure to King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. A 99-year rent-free lease secured this transformation. The Saudi government then financed its renovation into a mosque. The Tunisian architect Mongi Boubaker oversaw the project. It was a significant undertaking a complete reshaping of the building while retaining its round structure.
The newly formed Mosquée Imam Malik opened in 1978. King Khalid and King Baudouin attended the grand inauguration. This marked a pivotal moment for Brussels’ Muslim community offering a central place of worship and a symbol of their growing presence.
However the mosque’s role has been controversial. For forty years Saudi Arabia managed the Mosquée Imam Malik. This led to accusations of promoting a conservative brand of Islam. There were concerns about the mosque’s influence on integration into Belgian society. The expulsion of an imam for extreme views added to the controversy.
In 2018 a change occurred. Saudi Arabia relinquished control. The Belgian government transferred management to the Muslim Executive of Belgium and a local charity. This marked the end of foreign influence over this important institution. But this transfer wasn’t without its hurdles. In 2020 a negative advisory suspended the recognition of the new management association. Alleged links to foreign intelligence created further delays.
Today the Mosquée Imam Malik continues to serve its community. It stands as a testament to a complex history a place of worship with a fascinating past. It’s a site where art history and religious history intersect a story of transformation adaptation and ongoing debate. Standing before the Mosquée Imam Malik we stand before a living monument one whose story resonates with the evolving cultural landscape of Brussels.