GETTY Brussels police will be made to take lessons on Islam

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Under the new initiative labelled “Conflict management or how to avoid difficulties when dealing with Muslims”, officers will undertake an eight-hour module examining the religion and study the history of immigration into Belgium from 1960 to the present. Brussels authorities have added the new scheme on top of the existing COPPRA training, an EU funded project designed to equip officers on the ground to prevent and spot radicalisation.

Police believe that in a multicultural city, a basic knowledge of Islam is essential to a committed police force Annemie Maes

Part of the training will involve role-playing activities and extra training to help officers spot radicalisation and jihadi brainwashing. Brussels MP Annemie Maes said: "This training follows the request of the police force itself. “Police believe that in a multicultural city, a basic knowledge of Islam is essential to a committed police force.

GETTY A similar scheme has already been adopted by Antwerp police

Brussels terrorist attacks Wed, March 22, 2017 The Brussels airport and Metro bombings in pictures, including the aftermath of the tragic scenes. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 61 A member of the civil protection holds his face in his hands as he come back from the Maalbeek metro station in Brussels

The Green MP added: “They thus wish to achieve respectful and non-reducing mutual relations, characterised by a positive openness to the sharing of knowledge which does not avoid the difficult questions. “Specifically, it is a continuation of the training COPPRA, partly funded by Europe, oriented police function to the community for the prevention of radicalisation and terrorism.” Brussels will be adopting the methods already used at Campus Vesta, Antwerp’s police training school. Antwerp’s deputy police officer Bruno Peeters told Belgium media that the information taught to officers was “very respectful” to Islam.

GETTY Brussels airport was attacked last year