Molenbeek-Saint-Jean (French,pronounced[molœnbeksɛ̃ʒɑ̃,-bɛk-]^ⓘ) orSint-Jans-Molenbeek (Dutch,pronounced[sɪɲˈtɕɑnsˈmoːlə(m)ˌbeːk]^ⓘ), often simply calledMolenbeek, is one of the19 municipalities of theBrussels-Capital Region, Belgium. Located in the western part of the region, it is bordered by theCity of Brussels, from which it is separated by theBrussels–Charleroi Canal, as well as by the municipalities ofAnderlecht,Berchem-Sainte-Agathe,Dilbeek,Jette, andKoekelberg. The Molenbeek brook, from which it takes its name, flows through the municipality.^[2] In common with all of Brussels' municipalities, it is legallybilingual (French–Dutch).

Molenbeek-Saint-Jean Molenbeek-Saint-Jean (French) Sint-Jans-Molenbeek (Dutch)
Municipality
Molenbeek's Municipal Hall seen from thePlace Communale/Gemeenteplein
Flag Coat of arms
Location of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean
Molenbeek-Saint-Jean Location in Belgium Molenbeek municipality in the Brussels-Capital Region
Coordinates:50°51′28″N04°18′57″E / 50.85778°N 4.31583°E /50.85778; 4.31583
Country	Belgium
Community	Flemish Community French Community
Region	Brussels-Capital
Arrondissement	Brussels-Capital
Government
• Mayor	Catherine Moureaux [fr] (PS)
• Governing party/ies	PS –MR
Area
• Total	6.02 km2 (2.32 sq mi)
Population  (2020-01-01)[1]
• Total	97,979
• Density	16,000/km2 (42,000/sq mi)
Postal codes	1080
NIS code	21012
Area codes	02
Website	molenbeek.irisnet.be/fr(in French) molenbeek.irisnet.be/nl(in Dutch)

From its origins in theMiddle Ages until the 18th century, Molenbeek was a rural village on the edge of Brussels, but around the turn of the 19th century, it experienced major growth brought on by a boom in commerce and manufacturing during theIndustrial Revolution.^[3][4][5] Its prosperity declined after theSecond World War, owing todeindustrialisation, leading to extensive investment and regeneration. Experiencing a strong movement of immigration, mainlyMoroccan, from the 1950s and 1960s, Molenbeek became increasinglymulticultural with a minorityMuslim population.^[6][7] In the 2010s, it gained international attention as thebase forIslamist terrorists who carried out attacks in bothParis andBrussels.^{[8][9][10][11][12]}

Molenbeek is a mostly residential municipality consisting of several historically and architecturally distinct districts.^[13][14] As of 1 January 2024^[update], the municipality had a population of 98,365 inhabitants.^[15] The total area is 6.02 km² (2.32 sq mi), which gives apopulation density of 16,352/km² (42,350/sq mi), twice the average of Brussels.^[15] Its upper area is greener and less densely populated.

The nameMolenbeek derives from two Dutch words:molen, meaning "mill", andbeek, meaning "brook";^[16][17] and could be literally translated as "Millbrook" in English.^[18] It is a very common name for brooks in the Netherlands and Belgium, such as theMolenbeek (Erpe-Mere Bovenschelde), as well as theMolenbeek-Ter Erpenbeek, both in theDenderstreek, Belgium.

Although first applied to the brook that flowed through the village,^[2] the nameMolenbeek (originally spelledMolembecca) eventually came to be used to designate the village itself, around the year 985.^[17] ThesuffixSaint-Jean in French orSint-Jans in Dutch, meaning "Saint John", refers to theparish'spatron saint,Saint John the Baptist,^[16] though it is seldom used in everyday speech, today's inhabitants—whether French or Dutch speaking—usually shortening the name to simplyMolenbeek.^[4]

In French,Molenbeek-Saint-Jean is pronounced[molənbeːksɛ̃ʒɑ̃], and in Dutch,Sint-Jans-Molenbeek is pronounced[sɪɲˈtɕɑnsˈmoːlə(m)ˌbeːk]^ⓘ (in both languages, the "-beek" is pronounced like "bake" in English). Inhabitants of Molenbeek are known in French asMolenbeekois (pronounced[molənbeːkwa]) and in Dutch asMolenbeekenaars (pronounced[ˈmoːlə(m)ˌbeːkənaːrs]). In France, the pronunciations[molənbɛksɛ̃ʒɑ̃] ("-beek" like "beck" in English) and[molənbɛkwa] (formolenbeekois) are often heard, but are rather rare in Belgium. The dialectal formsMuilebeik andMeulebeik are still used by older adults of Belgian ancestry, whilst the abbreviationsMolen andMolem are common among younger speakers.^[4]

As early as the 9th century, Molenbeek was the site ofa church dedicated toSaint John the Baptist. The parish boundaries of St. John's Church were much greater than today, reaching as far as the riverSenne,^[19][20] and from the end of the 12th century, included a chapel dedicated toSaint Catherine.^[21] This chapel was split off from the rest of the parish following the construction ofBrussels' second city walls and gradually became the currentChurch of St. Catherine in theSainte-Catherine/Sint Katelijne neighbourhood of Brussels.^[22][20] The first documented mention of Molenbeek was made on 9 April 1174 in apapal bull byPope Alexander III listing the property of thechapter of theCollegiate Church of St. Michael and St. Gudula (now a cathedral) in Brussels, which included St. John's Church, as well as other property.^[23][16][24] TheBrussels Beguinage, founded before 1247 outside the city walls,^[25] also depended on Molenbeek.

In the earlyMiddle Ages, Molenbeek was known for its miraculous spring ofSaint Gertrude of Nivelles, the mythical founder ofNivelles Abbey, which attracted thousands of pilgrims.^[23] According to legend, she visited Molenbeek and offered the land on which the village's first church was built,^[20] and allegedly caused this sacred spring to spur out by ramming her abbess'scrosier into the ground near the church.^[5] Later, the tradition of a special pilgrimage for patients withepilepsy developed around St. John's Church. On St. John's Day (24 June), a dancing procession took place, in which epileptics could be freed from their illness for a year if they crossed a bridge over the Molenbeek brook towards the church without their feet touching the ground. A painting byPieter Brueghel the Younger, dating from 1592, illustrates this procession.^[26][27][5]

Molenbeek was made part ofBrussels in the 13th century. As a result, the agricultural village lost a lot of its land to its more powerful neighbour.^[28] In addition, St. John's Church was dismantled in 1578 during theCalvinist Republic of Brussels, which lasted from 1577 to 1585, leading to further decline, though it was later rebuilt on the same spot. The town's aspect remained mostly rural until the 18th century.^[29][30]

At the end of the 18th century, theIndustrial Revolution brought prosperity back to Molenbeek through commerce and manufacturing.^[29] In 1795, under theFrench regime, the town regained its status as an independent municipality.^[20][28][31] Around that time, Molenbeek experienced its first wave ofurbanisation with the development of a neighbourhood, known as theFaubourg Saint-Martin, around a number of streets to the immediate west of theCity of Brussels, as well as another, theFaubourg de Flandre, a little more to the north.^[29][32]

During the first quarter of the 19th century, several hundred workers were employed in Molenbeek's chemical and textile industries.^[3] In total, there were fifty companies in Molenbeek in 1829. The opening of theBrussels–Charleroi Canal in 1832 greatly increased the traffic ofcoal and thus themechanisation of industry, which led to the development offoundries, engineering andmetalworking companies in the municipality.^[3][29][33] Attracted by the industrial opportunities, many workers moved in, first from the otherBelgian provinces (mainly rural residents fromFlanders)^[34] and France, then fromSouthern European, and more recently fromEastern European andAfrican countries.^[35]

The growth of the community continued unabated throughout the 19th century, leading to cramped living conditions, especially near the canal.^[29][36] In that period, Molenbeek was dubbed theLittleManchester (French:le petit Manchester, Dutch:het Klein Manchester) or theBelgian Manchester (French:le Manchester belge, Dutch:het Belgisch Manchester), in reference to theNorthern English city that led the history ofindustrialisation.^[4][5] On 5 May 1835, Molenbeek was the departure site of thefirst passenger train incontinental Europe.^[37][38][5] At the end of the 19th century, part of the industry, namely the port area, was lost by Molenbeek when Brussels annexed and reintegrated the canal area withinits new port.^[39]

Until the early 20th century, Molenbeek was a boomingsuburb which attracted a largeworking-class population. Remarkable new urban developments andgarden cities such as the Cité Diongre were built at the beginning of the century to house the influx of newcomers.^[40][41] TheChurch of St. John the Baptist was also rebuilt between 1930 and 1932 inArt Deco style to accommodate this growing populace.^[42][43] Theindustrial decline, however, which had already started beforeWorld War I, accelerated after theGreat Depression andWorld War II.^[41]

Following the industrial decline after the war, the old districts bordering theCity of Brussels began to decrease in population. Much of the original Belgian working-class population, when its financial means allowed it, left the lower Molenbeek for Brussels' newly developing suburbs. In this lower part of the town, new immigrant populations moved in, leading to the present-day urban fabric. Thedepopulation was not addressed until the 1960s through the construction of new residential areas in the then-rural west of the municipality. In the 1990s, this expansion was halted, leaving some woods and meadows in Molenbeek, such as the semi-natural site of the Scheutbos.^[44][45]

Where Molenbeek was once a centre of intense industrial activity, concentrated around the canal and the railway, most of those industries have disappeared to make way for large-scaleurban renewal following the modernistAthens Charter, such as the L'Écluse Tower along theBoulevard Louis Mettewie/Louis Mettewielaan in the upper town and the Brunfaut Tower near the canal. In addition, clearance work for the extension of themetro in the 1970s and 1980s led to further destruction. In spite of this, Molenbeek has maintained its character to this day. This industrial past is still remembered inBrussels' Museum of Industry and Labour, a museum of social and industrial history built on the site of the formerfoundry of theCompagnie des Bronzes de Bruxelles.^[46][47]

In some areas of Molenbeek, the ensuing poverty left its mark on the urban landscape and scarred the social life of the community, leading to rising crime rates and pervading cultural intolerance. Various local revitalisation programmes are currently under way, aiming at relieving the municipality's most impoverished districts.^[14] Currently, the local economy is renewing itself, but it is "dominated" by the administrative sector. Alongside large companies such asKBC Bank and the distribution companyDelhaize, there are administrations such as that of the Ministry of theFrench Community and numerous businesses.^[5]

Attempts at revitalising the municipality have, however, not always been successful. In June 2011, the multinational companyBBDO, citing over 150 attacks on their staff by locals, posted an open letter to then-mayorPhilippe Moureaux, announcing its withdrawal from the municipality.^[48] As a result, serious questions were raised about governance, security and the administration of Moureaux.^[49] Following a general decrease in crime, the company finally decided to remain in Molenbeek.^[50]

According toLe Monde, the assassins whokilled anti-Taliban commander Ahmed Shah Massoud both came from Molenbeek.^[51] Hassan el-Haski, one of the2004 Madrid terror bombers, came from Molenbeek.^[52][53] The perpetrator of theJewish Museum of Belgium shooting, Mehdi Nemmouche, lived in Molenbeek for a time.^[54] Ayoub El Khazzani, the perpetrator of the2015 Thalys train attack, stayed with his sister in Molenbeek.^[55] French police believe the weapons used in thePorte de Vincennes siege two days after theCharlie Hebdo shooting were sourced from Molenbeek.^[56] The bombers of theNovember 2015 Paris attacks were also traced to Molenbeek;^[57] during the Molenbeek capture ofSalah Abdeslam, an accomplice of the Paris bombers, protesters "threw stones and bottles at police and press during the arrest", stated the then-Interior Minister of Belgium,Jan Jambon.^[58] Oussama Zariouh, thebomber of Brussels Central Station in June 2017,^[59] lived in Molenbeek.^[60]

At least four of the terrorists in theNovember 2015 Paris attacks—the brothersBrahim andSalah Abdeslam, alleged accompliceMohamed Abrini, and the alleged mastermindAbdelhamid Abaaoud—grew up and lived in Molenbeek. According to former French PresidentFrançois Hollande, that was also where they organised the attacks.^[61] On 18 March 2016, Salah Abdeslam, a suspected accomplice in those attacks, was captured intwo anti-terrorist raids in Molenbeek that killed another suspect and injured two others. At least one other suspect remains at large.^[62][63][64] Ibrahim (born 9 October 1986 in Brussels) was involved in the attempted robbery of acurrency exchange office in January 2010, where he shot at police with aKalashnikov rifle. The then-mayor of Brussels,Freddy Thielemans, and the then-mayor of Molenbeek,Philippe Moureaux, described the shooting as a "fait divers" (a small daily news item) and "normal in a large city", causing controversy.^[65]

Since several of the attackers in theBrussels andParis terrorist attacks had connections to the area, Belgian police started door-to-door checks in which a quarter of Molenbeek's inhabitants were investigated, a total of 22,668. This operation resulted in that of the 1,600 organisations investigated, 102 were found to be involved with crime and a further 52 were involved with terrorism. 72 individuals were found to have a terrorist connection and were subject to future surveillance.^[66][67]

Molenbeek is located in the north-central part of Belgium, about 110 kilometres (68 mi) from the Belgian coast and about 180 km (110 mi) from Belgium's southern tip. It is located in the heartland of the Brabantian Plateau, about 45 km (28 mi) south ofAntwerp (Flanders), and 50 km (31 mi) north ofCharleroi (Wallonia). It is the third westernmost municipality in theBrussels-Capital Region afterAnderlecht andBerchem-Sainte-Agathe and is an important crossing point for theBrussels–Charleroi Canal, which borders the municipality to the east. With an area of 6.02 km² (2.32 sq mi), it is also a relatively small municipality in the region, ranking eleventh out of nineteen. It is bordered by the Brussels municipalities of Anderlecht, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe,Jette andKoekelberg, as well as the Flemish municipality ofDilbeek.

Molenbeek, in common with the rest of Brussels, experiences anoceanic climate (Köppen:Cfb) with warm summers and cool winters.^[68] Proximity to coastal areas influences the area's climate by sending marine air masses from theAtlantic Ocean. Nearby wetlands also ensure a maritime temperate climate. On average (based on measurements in the period 1981–2010), there are approximately 135 days of rain per year in the region. Snowfall is infrequent, averaging 24 days per year. It also often experiences violent thunderstorms in summer months.

TheRoyal Meteorological Institute of Belgium (IRM/KMI) is located inUccle, in the south of Brussels. The meteorological records which are carried out there are similar to those which could be carried out in Molenbeek.

There are two distinct areas in Molenbeek: a lower area and an upper area. The lower area, next to the canal, consists ofworking-class, predominantly migrant, communities, mostly ofMoroccan (mainlyRiffian andBerber) descent, with many being second- and third-generation. The upper area, close to theGreater Ring (Brussels' second ring road), features newer construction and is mostlymiddle-class and residential.^[13]

The territory of Molenbeek is very heterogeneous and is characterised by a mixture of larger districts including smaller residential and (formerly) industrial neighbourhoods. The area along the canal is currently experiencing a large revitalisation programme, as part of thePlan Canal of theBrussels-Capital Region.^[14]

The historical centre of Molenbeek is the municipality's central district. It developed during theIndustrial Revolution along theBrussels–Charleroi Canal and is currently in a fragile social and economic situation due to the decline of its economy and the poor quality of some of its housing. TheMunicipal Hall of Molenbeek is located on thePlace Communale/Gemeenteplein ("Municipal Square"), in the heart of this district.^[70]

Located to the south of the historical centre of Molenbeek, this district is centred on thePlace de la Duchesse de Brabant/Hertogin van Brabantplein. The square was created in 1847 on the grounds of theHospices de Bruxelles, of which only theneoclassical facade remains. The hospice buildings now house a primary school (municipal school no. 5). In 1869, the Church ofSt. Barbara was erected there for theCatholic worship of the new parish.^[71] TheRue de Birmingham/Birminghamstraat, theRue de Manchester/Manchesterstraat, theRue de la Princesse/Prinsesstraat, theRue Vanderstraeten/Vanderstraetenstraat and theRue Isidoor Teirlinck/Isidoor Teirlinckstraat also end there.

Located in the south-east of Molenbeek, near the Abattoirs ofAnderlecht (the mainslaughterhouse in Brussels) and along the Charleroi Canal, Heyvaert is part of the largerCureghem/Kuregem district and is bounded by theRue Nicolas Doyen/Nicolas Doyenstraat, the Rue de Birmingham, the Place de la Duchesse de Brabant, the Rue Isidoor Teirlinck, theRue Delaunoy/Delaunoystraat, and theRue Heyvaert/Heyvaertstraat (formerly theRue de l'Écluse/Sasstraat, because of its proximity to the canal lock;écluse meaning "lock" in French).

Located in the north of Molenbeek, the Maritime Quarter (French:Quartier Maritime, Dutch:Maritiemwijk) was born, around 1900, from the implementation of thePort of Brussels and the Maritime Station (French:Gare Maritime, Dutch:Maritiem Station), afreight station on theTour & Taxis site. A number of customs agencies and handling activities mingled with homes have given the neighbourhood a diverse character. The residents, historically made up of workers, as well as of the small and largebourgeoisie, were also from the outset of great diversity.

Located in the north of the upper part of Molenbeek, Karreveld Park and its surrounding district are named after the former domain ofKarreveld Castle, which now covers 3 ha (7.4 acres). Today, it is a mostly residential neighbourhood between theAvenue de la Liberté/Vrijheidslaan, theChaussée de Gand/Gentsesteenweg and the railroad.

Located in the north-east of Molenbeek, Korenbeek is home toMolenbeek Cemetery between the Chaussée de Gand and theBoulevard Louis Mettewie/Louis Mettewielaan. This cemetery was inaugurated on 16 August 1864 to replace the old parish cemetery around theChurch of St. John the Baptist, which had become too small, and whose last remains were cleared in 1932.^[72][73][74]

Located in the upper part of Molenbeek, this district lies in the valley of the Maalbeek (or Molenbeek) that gave the municipality its name. Originally, the area was part of the former Oostendaal estate. In 1920, it was purchased by the municipality and partly turned into two parks, Albert Park and Marie-José Park, in the triangle formed by theBoulevard Edmond Machtens/Edmond Machtenslaan, theAvenue De Roovere/De Rooverelaan and theBoulevard Joseph Baeck/Joseph Baecklaan. They were designed by the architect and urban planner Louis Van der Swaelmen, and are named after KingAlbert I and his daughter, PrincessMarie-José, the lastQueen of Italy.

Osseghem/Ossegem is centrally located in the upper part of Molenbeek, west of the municipality's historical centre. The neighbourhood used to be a ruralhamlet.^[75] The name is of Germanic (Frankish) origin and is composed ofOdso +-inga +heim, meaning "residence/domain of the family of Odso". An old country road, today'sRue d'Osseghem/Ossegemstraat, which led to the Chaussée de Gand near the currentOsseghem/Ossegem metro station, connected the hamlet to Molenbeek and Brussels.

Located in the extreme west of Molenbeek, near the Boulevard Louis Mettewie, the Scheutbos (or Scheutbosch) is the municipality's remaining "green" area, home to the likewise named semi-natural site of the Scheutbos.^[44][45]

Molenbeek-Saint-Jean has a rich cultural and architectural heritage.^[76] Some of the main points of interest include:

• TheMunicipal Hall of Molenbeek, located on thePlace Communale/Gemeenteplein, designed ineclectic style by the architect Jean-Baptiste Janssens, which was opened in 1889.^[70]
• TheChurch of St. John the Baptist, aCatholicparish church designed inArt Deco style by the architectJoseph Diongre [fr] and built in 1931–32,^[77] which has been listed as aprotected monument since 1984.^[43]
• The Church ofSt. Remigius, located on theBoulevard du Jubilé/Jubelfeestlaan, aneo-Gothic building completed in 1907.^[78]
• The Church ofSt. Barbara, located on thePlace de la Duchesse de Brabant/Hertogin van Brabantplein, another neo-Gothic building completed in 1894 and listed since 1998.^[71]
• Molenbeek Cemetery, which contains remarkable monuments, including funerary galleries and acolumbarium built in 1880.^[72][74]
• Karreveld Castle and its surrounding park, which are used for cultural events and meetings of the municipal council. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was one of the birthplaces ofBelgian Cinema. At the request ofCharles Pathé (Pathé Cinéma), the directorAlfred Machin commissioned the first film studio in the country, together with a workshop for the construction of film sets and a mini zoological garden for exotic animals, such as bears, camels and panthers used as 'extras' in films. Several films, including the first two Belgian feature filmsLa Fille de Delft and the sadly propheticMaudite soit la guerre (in hand-painted colours) were shot by Alfred Machin in the studio of Karreveld Castle. Since 1999, the castle hosts from mid-July to September theFestival Bruxellons! [fr], a theatre festival open to otherperforming arts (i.e. magic, music, circus, etc.).^[79]
• The Municipal Museum of Molenbeek (MoMuse), housed in the prestigious building of the Academy of Drawing and Visual Arts.^[80][81]
• TheVaartkapoen statue, on thePlace Sainctelette/Sainctelettesquare.^[82]

Moreover, several rundown industrial buildings have been renovated and converted into prime real estate and other community functions. Examples include:

• TheFonderie, a formersmelter of theCompagnie des Bronzes de Bruxelles, operational from 1854 to 1979, now home toBrussels' Museum of Industry and Labour. The museum focuses on the industry, coupled with the social history of Molenbeek, and the impact of industrialisation on the development of the municipality.^[46][47]
• TheRaffinerie, a formersugar refinery, now the site of a cultural and modern dance complex.
• TheBottelarij, a bottling plant that housed theRoyal Flemish Theatre during its renovation in the centre of Brussels.
• TheMillennium Iconoclast Museum of Art (MIMA), a museum dedicated to culture 2.0 and tourban art opened in April 2016, in the former buildings of theBelle-Vue brewery, and is the first of the kind in Europe.^[80][83]
• The impressive buildings of the former goods station ofTour & Taxis and the surrounding area bordering the municipality, which are being turned into residences, as well as commercial enterprises.^[84]
• Brussels' Circus School, installed in the buildings of Tour & Taxis.^[85]

•  
  Karreveld Castle
•  
  World War I memorial on theBoulevard du Jubilé/Jubelfeestlaan
•  
  Diongregarden city
•  
  TheFonderie,Brussels' Museum of Industry and Labour

Historically, the population of Molenbeek was quite low. The municipality counted 690 inhabitants in 1707 and fewer than 2,000 inhabitants at the beginning of the 19th century. However, following theIndustrial Revolution, the population underwent a remarkable growth, peaking at 72,783 in 1910. From then, it began to decrease slightly during the first half of the 20th century to a low of 63,528 in 1961, before increasing again rapidly in recent years.^[86][87]

As of 1 January 2024^[update], the population was 98,365.^[15] The area is 6.02 km² (2.32 sq mi), making the density 16,352/km² (42,350/sq mi).^[15] The population is relatively young—the average age is 35 years—with nearly 29% under 18 years old, and fewer than 12% over 65.^[15] This population, while already impoverished and overcrowded, further increased by 24.5% between 2005 and 2015.^[88]

• Sources: INS: 1806 to 1981 = census; 1990 and later = population on 1 January

The population has been described as "mainlyMuslim" in the media;^[90] however, actual figures are estimated to range between 25% and 40%, depending on thecatchment area.^[7] Belgium does not collect statistics by religious beliefs, so exact figures are unknown, but the Muslim minority in the community is visibly significant.^[6]

As of 2016^[update], there is one main minority group in Molenbeek,Belgian Moroccans (mainlyRiffian and otherBerbers). That year,Françoise Schepmans, then-mayor of Molenbeek, stated that the lack of diversity in the foreign population of Molenbeek and the fact they are all clustered in the same area is a problem.^[91] Nearly 40% of young people in Molenbeek areunemployed. The municipality lies in a semi-circle of neighbourhoods in Brussels often referred to as the "poor croissant".^[91]

As of 2023^[update], taking into account the nationality of birth of the parents, 69.16% of Molenbeek's population is of non-European origin (predominantly Moroccan and Syrian), 17.49% of European origin other than Belgian (mainly Romanian, Spanish, French, Italian, and Polish), while 13.31% is solely of native Belgian ancestry.^[92] Among all major migrant groups from outside the EU, a majority of the permanent residents have acquired Belgian nationality.^[93]

Molenbeek is governed by an elected municipal council and an executive college of the mayor and aldermen. The longtime mayor from 1992 to 2012 wasPhilippe Moureaux (PS). Following theBelgian local elections, 2012, an alternative majority was formed headed by then-mayorFrançoise Schepmans (MR) and consisting of MR (15 seats),CDH-CD&V (6 seats) andEcolo-Groen (4 seats). The Socialist Party (16 seats) became the opposition next to theWorkers' Party of Belgium (PTB),Democratic Federalist Independent (DéFI), the ISLAM party and theNew Flemish Alliance (N-VA), each having one seat.

The2018 local elections sawPS return to the majority, with a coalition between the aforementioned andMR being agreed upon.^[95] The current mayor isCatherine Moureaux [fr].

Historical list ofmayors orburgomasters of Molenbeek:^[97]

• 1800–1812: J.-B. De Roy
• 1812–1818: FR. De Putte
• 1818–1819: V. Van Espen
• 1819–1830: F. Vanderdussen

As in the rest of Brussels, sport in Molenbeek is under the responsibility of theCommunities. TheAdministration de l'Éducation Physique et du Sport (ADEPS) is responsible for recognising the various French-speaking sports federations.^[98] Its Dutch-speaking counterpart isSport Vlaanderen (formerly calledBLOSO).^[99]

Molenbeek's historical football club,Racing White Daring Molenbeek, often referred to as RWDM, was very popular until its dissolution in 2002. Its successor,R.W.D.M. Brussels F.C., used to play in theBelgian first division. It folded at the end of 2012–13 as a member of theBelgian Second Division. Since 2023, its reincarnation,RWDM47, is back playing in the first division.^[100] The club's home stadium is theEdmond Machtens Stadium.^[101]

The municipality is home to theRoyal Daring Hockey Club Molenbeek, a field hockey club.^[102]

Most of Molenbeek pupils between the ages of 3 and 18 go to schools organised by theFrench-speaking Community or theFlemish Community.

There are 17 French-language and six Dutch-language primary schools in Molenbeek.^[103]

• Athénée royal Serge Creuz^[104] (French-speaking)
• Athaneum Toverfluit^[105][106] (Dutch-speaking)

TheBoulevard Léopold II/Leopold II-laan in the north of Molenbeek is part of a monumental east–west axis, at the end of which is theNational Basilica of the Sacred Heart inKoekelberg. Some other main roads that cross the municipality are theChaussée de Gand/Gentsesteenweg, theBoulevard Edmond Machtens/Edmond Machtenslaan and theChaussée de Ninove/Ninoofsesteenweg running east–west, as well as theBoulevard Louis Mettewie/Louis Mettewielaan running north–south.

Molenbeek is served byBrussels' metro lines1,2,5 and6, withComte de Flandre/Graaf van Vlaanderen,Étangs Noirs/Zwarte Vijvers,Osseghem/Ossegem,Belgica,Beekkant,Gare de l'Ouest/Weststation (Brussels-West Station), andRibaucourt stations. Brussels-West and Beekkant are connected to all the metro lines and aremultimodal transport hubs in western Brussels. The former will also gain importance in the framework of theBrussels Regional Express Network (RER/GEN)'s development, which will connect the capital and surrounding towns. Additionally, a comprehensivebus andtram service links Molenbeek to other parts of the region. The municipality also has a numberVillo!public bicycle stations on its territory.

Molenbeek is on the route of the second largest axis of the Belgian network of inlandwaterways, that is the Antwerp–Brussels–Charleroi axis via the maritimeScheldt, the Maritime Canal and theBrussels–Charleroi Canal.

Green spaces in the municipality include:^[45]

• Scheutbos Park [fr;nl], a regional nature park of 6 ha (15 acres)
• Semi-natural site of the Scheutbos, a protected area of 44 ha (110 acres)
• Karreveld Park 3 ha (7.4 acres)
• Marie-José Park 6 ha (15 acres)
• Albert Park
• Muses' Park
• Hauwaert Park
• Bonnevie Park
• Fonderie Park

Molenbeek istwinned with:

•  Oujda, Morocco
•  Levallois-Perret, France

• Lamfalussy, Christophe; Martin, Jean-Pierre (2017).Molenbeek-sur-djihad. Paris: Grasset.ISBN 9782246862765.
• Chalmers, Robert (April 2017)."Is Molenbeek really a no-go zone?".British GQ.
• "Molenbeek: Life Inside the So-Called 'Jihadi Capital of Europe".ABC News. 3 April 2016.Archived from the original on 11 December 2021.

•   Media related toMolenbeek-Saint-Jean at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website (in French and Dutch)