Belgium is considered to be one of Europe’s main recruiting hubs and has witnessed the highest number of foreign fighters per capita departing for Syria. Women without Borders (WwB) travelled to Belgium to interview Belgian Muslim youth living in the most affected neighbourhoods in and around Brussels. These young adult men and women share their perspectives and experiences on what it is like to live in Belgium at a time of heightened fear, Islamophobia, and polarisation. WwB interviewed these young people before and after the attacks on the Brussels airport and metro. The participant’s insights and personal experiences of being perceived as ‘the other’ highlight social complexities and dynamics. The film ‘BRAVE Brussels’ features this youth’s perseverance and resilience, thoughtful reflections, and sense of citizenship by sharing alternatives to the common extremist narrative.

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