A bizarre incident over the Easter weekend has drawn the attention of both authorities and residents in Liège, Belgium, after hundreds of miniature Qurans were mysteriously distributed across several neighborhoods.
The Islamic texts, all in French, appeared on car windshields, in mailboxes, and even outside a local synagogue on Saturday morning, sparking concern and prompting an active police investigation.
Local authorities were quickly alerted by residents, with reports coming from areas including Droixhe, Coronmeuse, Bressoux, Longdoz, Outremeuse, and along Churchill and Marcellis quays. Officers were dispatched to collect the books, ultimately retrieving about 800 copies. While no official offense has yet been identified, police have opened an inquiry, reviewing CCTV footage from the affected locations. Two individuals were seen placing the Qurans, though their identities remain unknown. It’s also been reported that the vehicle connected to the distribution was tracked leaving Belgium and heading towards Germany later that same day.
The unexpected distribution has sparked a mix of reactions. A local imam, speaking to Belgian media outlet RTBF, suggested that this could have been an awkward attempt at proselytism. However, he was quick to stress that such behavior is not common practice among the Muslim community and could, in fact, do more harm than good.
The fact that some of the Qurans were placed at a synagogue has led to speculation within the Jewish community, with many interpreting the act as a form of provocation. However, the exact intentions behind the distribution remain unclear, and investigators continue to probe the incident.
As of now, the police inquiry is ongoing, with authorities working to uncover more details about the individuals behind this unusual act.
