Belgiumis expected to officially recognize Buddhism after the federal government approves a draft law on Friday, opening the door to federal funding, official delegates and school classes.
TheBelgian Buddhist Unionhad requested recognition in March 2006. The union estimates the number of Buddhists in Belgium at 150,000. The only other EU country where Buddhism is recognized is Austria.
There are currently six worship services officially recognized in Belgium: theRoman Catholic, the Orthodox, theIsraelite, the Anglican, the Protestant Evangelical and the Islamic, recognized in 1974.
Buddhism would be recognized as “a non-denominational philosophical organization” alongside organized secularism, recognized since 2002. It would receive federal funding of up to 1.2 million euros.