Molenbeek: the Brussels borough becoming known as Europe's jihadi central

Molenbeek has been linked once again to terrorism. This time the link is direct. Salah Abdeslam and his brother Brahim (suicide bomber who blew himself up outside the cafe) grew up there. In addition to these two, Abdelhamid Abaaoud (ring leader of the Paris attacks) also grew up there.

Other events can also be linked to Molenbeek; Killings at a Jewish Museum in Brussels, the Charlei Hebdo attacks, the Madrid train bombings, the assassination of antiTaliban leader Ahmad Shah Massoud. The connections to these events are that they either spent time there or have connections to Molenbeek through family ties.

Molenbeek has somethings in common with areas ISIL targets for recruitment;
1. A high unemployment rate of the younger portion of the population, the rate is almost 50%.
2. It's an area outside of the control of the National government. An area ruled by Sharia law. (Since the Paris attacks Police presence in the area has greatly increased)
3. Gangs control different sections of it.
4. Poverty
5. A weak governing body.
6. Imams preaching salafi. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have set up Wahabbist mosques.

The repeated connections to Molenbeek with the combined other factors of the area show it a breeding ground for ISIL recruiters and sympathizers.