Category Archives: Partners of HoC

No Children On The Street !

In the past 48 hours, two families have found refuge in the Beguinage Church.

When a church becomes the only shelter, it means the system has failed.

Since August, families recognized as refugees in other European countries have been excluded from reception in Belgium. They sleep outside illegally, ignored by the authorities.

We refuse to accept this. We demand the immediate reinstatement of shelter for all families with children.

This protection is part of the solidarity campaign “No children on the street. Period.”, led jointly by House of Compassion, BelRefugees, and Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen.

#NoChildrenOnTheStreet

Resistance: How to Organize in the Face of the Criminalization of Solidarity?

In response to policies that severely undermine the right to asylum and criminalize solidarity, citizens are choosing another path: one of resistance, hospitality, and solidarity.

Join us at the Festival des Libertés on Saturday, October 11 at 4:30 PM to discuss with:

  • Cedric Herrou, a prominent figure from the Roya Valley, now a symbol of civic resistance in France
  • Mehdi Kassou, co-founder and CEO of BelRefugees, the Citizen Platform for Refugee Support
  • Father Daniel Alliët, Pastor of the Béguinage Church (House of Compassion), known for his many mobilizations in support of undocumented people

📅 Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/800429522401084

🎟️ Free entry Organized by Bruxelles Laïque, BelRefugees, and House of Compassion.

🪑 Participatory Painting Workshop – Let’s get ready for October 17!

📅 Monday, September 29, 2025 🕑 From 2 PM to 5 PM 📍 House of Compassion – Beguinage Church, Brussels

As part of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the collective Rendre Visible l’Invisible / Wat Verborgen is Zichtbaar maken invites you to a creative workshop centered around a symbolic object: the chair. Golden chairs will be used to create public space during a symbolic action on October 17.

The chairs will be placed to affirm that everyone deserves a seat in society.

Twenty wooden chairs from House of Compassion are being prepared for the action. You’re warmly welcome to help us paint them. This moment is also an opportunity to meet volunteers, build connections, and prepare this collective action together.

🤝 With the support of: ATD Fourth World Belgium · Federation of Social Services · Netwerk tegen Armoede · Pivot asbl · Brussels Platform Armoede · Convivence / Samenleven · ArtiCulE

Peace Lab with Pax Christi

Peace is not a given. It’s something we must build together every day — as citizens, as a community, and as peacebuilders.

That’s why Pax Christi organizes Peace Labs. During these workshops, we aim to inspire people to reflect on peace and how to make it a reality, activating each person as a peacebuilder — especially in times when war rhetoric and fear seem to dominate.

In this Peace Lab, House of Compassion will open a conversation about peace. Afterwards, participants will engage creatively: they will design new peace symbols and create a unique peace flag.

📅 Dates September 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — peace conversations September 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — sewing workshop

👉 To register, click here

Wake at the House of Compassion on Friday, August 8, 2025, starting at 7 PM.

We gather with people of all faiths and worldviews to reflect on the promotion of peace in Gaza and the West Bank.
This gathering will take place at the House of Compassion (Beguinage Church), located near the Vismarkt (tram lines 1 and 5, Sint-Katelijne stop).
If you wish to contribute or speak during the event, please notify us at: 📧 Gaza.8.08.25@gmail.com 📱 +32 476 24 58 93 (WhatsApp available)

Film screening: “Gaza: Doctors Under Attack”

🎬  This Sunday evening at House of Compassion 📍 Organized by the collective Palestinian Refugees for Dignity. Join us this Sunday, July 6 at 7:00 PM at House of Compassion (Brussels) for a screening of the powerful documentary “Gaza: Doctors Under Attack”. 🎟️ Free entry.

Symbolic handover in Ghent

🤝  Monday, July 7 at 10:30 AM Our action continues in Ghent, where a group of young people will begin a 5-day hunger strike starting Monday, July 7, as part of “Hunger Strike 4 Justice in Palestine”. We invite you to a symbolic handover moment at 10:30 AM at Kapel OLV van Schreiboom, Kortrijksepoortstraat 252, 9000 Ghent (10–15 minutes walking from the train station). It will be a meaningful moment to mark the continuity of our collective commitment.  Everyone is welcome.

📲 More info:

Soefi-concert

Op de voetsporen van Rumi

Wanneer? op zondag 13 april om 14:00 tot 16:00
W aar? House of Compassion

Laat je mee varen op een zee van virtuoze stemmen en improvisaties, trancezangen en mysterieuze poëzie uit de moslimwereld.

Sama Abdulkadir Dikici en zijn Soefi-groep nodigen uit.

Abdulkadir Dikici (1963, Konya) is afkomstig uit Turkije en docente een economie aan de Marmara Universiteit. Maar naast z’n handelsactiviteiten liet hij zich ook leiden door zijn culturele en spirituele erfenis. Sinds juli 2016 woont Dikici in België, waar hij effectief zijn bijdrage levert aan de gemeenschap via zakelijke activiteiten, sociale betrokkenheid en het organiseren van Mevlevi Sama-ceremonies. Met soefi-concerten dus, geïnspireerd door Jalal ad-Din Rumi, een religieuze dichter uit de Middeleeuwen.

Rumi werd in 1207 geboren in de stad Balch (in het huidige Afghanistan). Hij is een van de belangrijkste personen uit de Perzische dichtkunst. Rumi was ook de leidende figuur van de soefibeweging in het middeleeuwse Konya. Hij filosofeerde er over verdraagzaamheid, zette zich af tegen oorlog. Hij creëerde onder andere de dans Sema en stichtte de derwisj-orde Mevlevi, een soefi-orde van mystici, religieuze dansers en muzikanten. In de dans draaien de gecombineerde Semazen (wervelende derwisjen) om hun as, waarbij zij mediteren en de naam van God aanroepen. 

Inschrijving info@bop.brussels – 02/210.04.60

Op het programma een inleiding over soefi-misticus Djalal ad-Dîn Rûmî en vervolgens muziek, dans en recitatie door Sama Abdulkadir Dikici en zijn Soefi-groep. Afsluiter koffie met gebak.

Een samenwerking van House of Compassion – Rumi Centre en het Brussels Ouderenplatform.