The distribution of several hundred small Qurans across multiple neighborhoods in the Belgian city of Liège over the Easter weekend has prompted an active police investigation.
On Saturday morning, residents reported that their vehicles had been covered with miniature French-language Qurans, placed on car windshields, in mailboxes, and even at a local synagogue.
According to local reports from RTBF, the Islamic texts were found in districts including Droixhe, Coronmeuse, Bressoux, Longdoz, Outremeuse, and along the Churchill and Marcellis quays.
Police were alerted by concerned residents and dispatched officers to collect the items, removing around 800 copies of the Quran from various locations.
🔴 À Liège, Belgique 🇧🇪, après la prière, des musulmans ont déposé des corans sur toutes les voitures. pic.twitter.com/0lmLeZM0o5
— Rafael Sereti (@RafaelSereti) April 19, 2025
While no offense has been formally identified, the Liège police have launched an inquiry, reviewing CCTV footage from affected areas. Two individuals were reportedly seen placing the books, but have not yet been publicly identified.
The vehicle believed to be involved in the distribution was tracked leaving Belgium for Germany later that same day.
A local imam, speaking with Belgian media outlet RTBF, speculated that the move could have been a “clumsy attempt at proselytism,” but emphasized that such behavior is neither customary nor endorsed by the broader Muslim community.
“It is not in our habit to impose like this… it may well harm us,” he told the broadcaster.
The presence of the books in a synagogue has been interpreted by some within the Jewish community as provocation, though the exact intent remains unclear.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.