On Wednesday night, December 17, the city council of Molenbeek in Belgium unanimously voted to raise the Amazigh flag on the façade of the town hall from January 12 to January 31, in celebration of the Amazigh New Year 2976. The flag will be displayed alongside the municipal flag, the regional flag, and the official Belgian national flag.
The decision followed a motion submitted by Molenbeek municipal councilor Mohamed El Hamouti, which received broad support and approval from council members. This initiative adds to a series of actions taken by Molenbeek and several other Belgian municipalities that have made it a tradition to commemorate the Amazigh New Year.
Mohamed El Hamouti stated that the motion is part of a broader effort to recognize the demographic richness and the cultural, linguistic, and historical diversity that characterize the municipality of Molenbeek. He emphasized that this diversity represents a fundamental pillar of shared identity and social cohesion within the local community.
He also highlighted the significant presence of the Amazigh community in the city, noting that its members—primarily originating from North Africa—have been deeply rooted in Molenbeek for nearly five generations. According to El Hamouti, the Amazigh community continues to play an active and meaningful role across various spheres of life, including social, economic, cultural, educational, and political fields.