It’s regrettable that Blast, beneath the guise of an alleged journalistic investigation by journalist Philippe Engel, has chosen to unfold false and defamatory allegations towards me and my group, Bruxelles Média. I want to set the document straight and expose the true motives behind these assaults.
1. Almouwatin asbl now not exists: an apparent manipulation
Firstly, it’s important to level out that Almouwatin was closed for good in 2019, and that Bruxelles Média was based beneath a very new framework. The truth that Blast chooses to combine the 2 entities demonstrates a blatant lack of professionalism and a deliberate want to sow confusion. Our workplaces are positioned on the Cité des Associations in Brussels, we’re in full compliance with our authorized obligations, and acknowledged by the Belgian CSA (Supreme Council of Audiovisual).
2. A clear and constructive collaboration
Our relationship with Eddy Van Ryne is that of a pleasant, skilled collaboration. Blast tries to painting our work as suspect, whereas we work collectively to advertise initiatives for inter-religious dialogue and peace. My abilities are acknowledged and my dedication to constructive tasks can’t be referred to as into query by malicious insinuations.
3. Confirmed independence
Bruxelles Média operates with out public subsidies and has by no means sought any. We consider organizing constructive occasions and debates. Blast’s insinuations will not be solely unfounded, they’re a part of a method of intimidation typical of media dropping credibility.
4. Malicious confusion with Le Matin.ma
The allegations of a hyperlink with Le Matin.ma are based mostly on a technical misunderstanding. Our webmaster has clarified that this was a easy error, and never a connivance with a Moroccan media outlet. Blast’s continued insistence on this level demonstrates its incapability to conduct a rigorous and trustworthy investigation.
5. Interfaith dialogue: a simple goal
My collaboration with non secular establishments and actors, be it the Church of Scientology, but in addition with Sikhs, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Catholics, Protestants and even humanists, is a part of a framework of inter-religious dialogue, and never a part of any promotion of sectarianism. This willingness to cut back my efforts to accusations of complicity is a mirrored image of Blast’s ignorance and contempt for the work of those that genuinely search to advertise dialogue and peace.
6. Blast: a corrupt media on the verge of decline
It’s ironic that Blast, which claims to uphold moral values, is itself on the coronary heart of controversies regarding its independence and doubtful practices. Suspected hyperlinks with traders from the United Arab Emirates elevate questions on their objectivity. Certainly, the newspaper “Libération” lately accused Blast of being financed by traders from the United Arab Emirates, elevating questions concerning the transparency of their operations. It’s also price noting that Blast is dealing with greater than 40 complaints for deceptive and defamatory investigations, testifying to its incapability to supply high quality journalism.
Blast can be the newspaper which, on October 7 2024, because the world commemorates the harmless Jewish victims killed by Hamas in Israel, publishes an interview with Michèle Siboni wherein she declares that “the Jews who died on October 7, and all those that adopted, are the victims of a colonial regime”, and that the Hamas assassins are waging nothing apart from a “struggle of liberation of an oppressed individuals”. To justify itself, Blast can consider nothing higher than to invoke a priority for “rationality and freedom”. Actually, my work for peace, notably between Israelis and Palestinians, Jews and Muslims, won’t discover favor within the eyes of a media affected by such unabashed anti-Semitism.
Actually, by publishing their article right now, on the eve of the municipal elections, they’re hoping to affect the vote, maybe financed by backers who would favor to not see actors for peace and dialogue elected. One other ironic place of Blast which states that politics and journalism typically don’t combine.
In conclusion, I strongly condemn Blast’s assaults, which don’t have any different goal than to sully my repute and that of Bruxelles Média. We are going to proceed to work for peace and dialogue, regardless of the makes an attempt to denigrate by a media that’s dropping floor.
Lahcen Hammouch