A former acting mayor of Brussels’ Molenbeek district, Saliha Raiss, has sparked controversy by telling critics of her Muslim headscarf to ‘get out’ of Belgium during a municipal council session. The remarks, captured in a video circulated online, were quickly condemned by politicians and public figures, including Elon Musk, who called the statement ‘insane.’ Raiss defended her comments as targeting only xenophobic individuals, not all Belgians, and faced accusations of racism from opponents. The incident ignited a broader debate on multiculturalism and free speech in Belgium.
The video, posted by Georges-Louis Bouchez, leader of the Reformist Movement (MR), soon went viral, drawing global attention. Musk’s retweet of the clip further amplified the controversy, with his caption reading: ‘Belgians must leave Belgium!? This is insane.’ The remarks have sparked outrage, with critics accusing Raiss of promoting xenophobia and inciting division. Belgian media, however, defended Raiss, claiming the words were taken out of context. According to RTL Info, the remarks were made during a debate over a Facebook post that criticized the leaders of Molenbeek, which had drawn anti-Muslim comments. Raiss condemned the MR party for not deleting the post, calling them ‘deplorable and disgusting’ and accusing them of ‘condoning racism.’
Raiss has stood by her comments, insisting they were not aimed at all citizens but specifically at those who hold racist views. She told RTL, ‘I don’t regret it at all. My comments were taken out of context… I was targeting racist and xenophobic people. In no way did I make remarks against all the citizens of our beautiful town and country.’ Her party leader, Conner Rousseau, also supported her, stating that she often faces racist remarks due to her Muslim identity and that the statement was being misrepresented. Rousseau criticized the MR and Musk for fabricating a narrative around Raiss’s comments. Raiss is also considering filing a slander complaint against Bouchez, accusing him of spreading ‘lies’ with a ‘doctored’ video.
The controversy has reignited discussions about multiculturalism and political tensions in Belgium. As a country with a diverse population and a history of social divisions, Belgium continues to grapple with balancing cultural identity and national unity. Raiss’s remarks have been interpreted by some as a reflection of deepening societal divides, while others argue that her comments were an overreaction to a specific situation. The incident highlights the broader cultural and political complexities that Belgium faces, particularly within its multicultural and often contentious political landscape.