Molenbeek, Anderlecht & Multicultural Brussels

Brussels is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Europe — approximately 35% of Brussels residents were born outside Belgium, with the largest communities from Morocco, Turkey, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the EU member states; the working-class communes of Molenbeek (Sint-Jans-Molenbeek) and Anderlecht immediately west of the city centre are the heart of Brussels' North African and Turkish communities and some of the most economically deprived areas in Belgium, but also among the most culturally vibrant, with their mosques, Moroccan restaurants and pastry shops, Turkish grocery stores, and emerging creative community.