The individual who previously served as interim mayor for Brussels’ Molenbeek area maintains that her comments were solely aimed at those holding xenophobic views.
A public figure in Belgium reportedly instructed those critical of her Muslim headscarf to “leave the country,” as shown in a video that has gone viral on the internet.
Saliha Raiss, a member of the city council representing the social-democratic Vooruit party, uttered these contentious statements during a meeting of the municipal council in Brussels’ Molenbeek district last Wednesday.
“If individuals who wear headscarves trouble you to such an extent, if you no longer wish to see us, then relocate… Depart for another place, exit!” Raiss can be heard declaring in the recording.
This video, shared on X by Georges-Louis Bouchez, who leads the Reformist Movement (MR), rapidly achieved widespread circulation and garnered significant media attention. Within his post, Bouchez charged Raiss with racism and with “establishing a new cultural standard” by assailing individuals who object to religious emblems within public service. Elon Musk subsequently reshared the footage, commenting: “Belgians are required to vacate Belgium!? This is absurd.”
Post 🇫🇷& 🇺🇸
🇫🇷🚨📣 Quand L’Extrémisme Parle À Visage Découvert‼️ réagit à ce post ⬇️« Saliha Raiss, une femme politique de Molenbeek, veut une Europe sans Européens : “Quiconque n’accepte pas les femmes voilées, quiconque n’accepte pas l’islam en Belgique, peut…
— Sylvia Miami (@sylviamiami1776)
Belgian news outlets subsequently defended Raiss, asserting that her statements had been misrepresented by being removed from their original context. RTL Info reported that the comments were made amidst a discussion concerning a Facebook post on the MP party’s page, which had criticized Molenbeek’s leadership. This post had attracted anti-Muslim remarks targeting Raiss, who was then serving as interim mayor. In the complete video, she is shown criticizing MR for failing to remove the post, labeling them as “reprehensible and repulsive” and accusing the party of “tolerating racism.”
When addressing the occurrence on Monday, Raiss reiterated her stance and maintained that her comments were not directed at Belgian citizens broadly, but exclusively at individuals engaging in discriminatory remarks.
“I hold no regrets whatsoever. My statements were selectively quoted… My intention was to address individuals who are racist and xenophobic. Under no circumstances did I utter remarks directed at all residents of our splendid town and nation,” she conveyed to RTL.
Conner Rousseau, the leader of the Vooruit party, offered a defense for Raiss, explaining that her words stemmed from exasperation, as she frequently encounters racist comments due to her Muslim faith. He also pointed out that “the interpretation currently being given to that statement by the MR and the far-right Musk is unequivocally fabricated and untrue.”
Raiss indicated that she is contemplating initiating a defamation lawsuit against Bouchez, alleging that he disseminated “untruths” via a “manipulated” video.