Early on Saturday morning, residents across several districts of the Belgian city of Liège found pocket-sized editions of the Quran in French placed on the windscreens of parked cars.
The incident occurred across multiple neighbourhoods, including Droixhe, Bressoux, Longdoz, Outremeuse, and Coronmeuse, as well as along the Quais Churchill and Marcellis.
According to Belgian broadcaster RTBF, around 800 copies were collected by police, who were alerted shortly after the books began appearing. The printed editions, only a few centimetres in height, were tucked beneath windscreen wipers without any accompanying message or identifying marks.
Police confirmed they have launched an investigation. Surveillance footage from the affected areas is being examined, and two individuals have been identified on camera, though their identities remain unknown. No formal charges have been filed, and authorities have yet to determine whether any offences have been committed.
The motivation behind the distribution remains unclear. Possibilities under consideration include religious proselytism, a symbolic gesture, or a provocation. The timing of the event, just ahead of the Christian Easter weekend, has added to the speculation.
A local Muslim resident interviewed by RTBF described the action as uncharacteristic of her community, adding that she feared the gesture could harm perceptions of local Muslims. “This is not how we share our beliefs. It may only cause misunderstanding and suspicion,” she said.
A local imam, who also spoke to journalists, suggested the act may have been a misguided attempt at religious outreach. He distanced himself from the initiative, stating that the Quran should be distributed with context and respect, not anonymously and without explanation. “The book is sacred,” he added, “and such methods diminish its meaning.”
The anonymous nature of the distribution, coupled with the absence of an explanatory message, has left residents puzzled. While no disruption or damage has been reported, the sheer scale of the operation — spanning several neighbourhoods — has prompted concern from both the public and local authorities.
As of Saturday evening, police have not ruled out any scenario. Investigators are continuing to review video footage and have called on witnesses to assist with information that might clarify the origin and intention behind the distribution.
In the meantime, local officials are urging calm. The Liège police have stated that while no criminal activity has yet been confirmed, the matter is being taken seriously due to its potential implications for community relations.
The case has also reignited a broader discussion in Belgium regarding religious expression in public spaces. With no clear message or group claiming responsibility, speculation continues over whether the act was intended to inform, provoke, or confuse.
Image source: RTBF
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