Jihad in Antwerp

11.10.2013

ANTWERP - In the past year, a few dozen Muslim youths have left Antwerp for Syria to take part in the war there. Why do young people from Antwerp risk their lives in a gruesome war thousands of kilometres away from home? In De Standaard, Janine Meijer examines the motives of Antwerp jihad fighters.

"I understand the young people leaving for Syria," says Fatima (18). The young Muslim woman from Antwerp was supervised by the De Touter relief agency in Berchem, because her surroundings were afraid she would become radicalised. "I understand that you don't want to live here anymore and that you are going to help other Muslim brothers in need. I myself am not planning to travel to Syria today. But I still feel little connection with this society. Every day I'm scolded and discriminated because of my faith. The more often I am taunted, the more I will withdraw. Faith offers me the security that I don't find in society. It's the only way to keep faith in the future."