Jainism in Belgium

Belgium Jains
Jain temple, Antwerp
Total population
1,500[1]
Languages
Belgium Language
Indian Languages
Religion
Jainism

Jainisms is a minority followed by about 1,500 people to 2000 people in Belgium.[2][3]

The majority live in Antwerp, particularly Wilrijk District, where their main temple is also located.[4][5] Most of the Jains came from the Palanpur region in Gujarat and are involved in the diamond business.[6][7]

History

The Jains starting arriving in Belgium in the 1960s.[8] They initially traded low quality rough diamonds, with very small margins of profit, while the local Jewish merchants dealt in larger stones.[9] Most of the Jains were from Palanpur in Gujarat, belonging to Shahs and Mehtas castes.[6]

In 1990, the Shankheshwar Parshvanath Jain Temple was constructed and in 1992, the Jain Cultural Centre of Antwerp was formed.[3][10]

Jainism today

Majority of the diamond traders in Belgium are Jains.[4]

Leaders within the community

Mr Ramesh Mehta, a leader of the community, is a full-fledged member of the Belgian Council of Religious Leaders put up on 17 December 2009.[11]

See also

References

Citation

  1. ↑ Sorajjakool, Carr & Bursey 2017, p. 127.
  2. ↑ Around 400 families. How Indian families took over the Antwerp diamond trade from orthodox Jews, Pallavi Aiyer, July 23, 2015
  3. 1 2 Vekemans, Tine, "Jains in Belgium", Brill's Encyclopedia of Jainism Online, Brill, doi:10.1163/2590-2768_BEJO_COM_045011, retrieved 29 August 2026
  4. 1 2 "'Diamonds are in my blood': The Jain traders who dominate Antwerp jewels". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "Diamant met curry". De Standaard (in Flemish). 10 June 2006. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Palanpuri Jains: How Palanpuri Jains captured global diamond trade - The Economic Times". m.economictimes.com. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
  7. ↑ Kapur, Devesh (22 August 2010). Diaspora, Development, and Democracy: The Domestic Impact of International ... - Devesh Kapur - Google Books. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-1400835089.
  8. ↑ "Antwerp's humble diamantaires, Estelle Hakner, Geographical, March 22, 2018". Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  9. ↑ Wiedemann, Erich (15 May 2006). "Antwerp's Diamond Business: Jews Surrender Gem Trade to Indians". Der Spiegel. ISSN 2195-1349. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
  10. ↑ Ngu, Clement. "Antwerp's Indian diamond traders face a changing industry". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
  11. ↑ "Presentation of the Belgian Council of Religious Leaders". Orthodox Archdiocese of Belgium and Exarchate of the Netherlands and Luxemburg. 17 December 2009. Archived from the original on 3 July 2011.

Sources

  • Sorajjakool, Siroj; Carr, Mark F; Bursey, Ernest (2017), World Religions for Healthcare Professionals, Routledge, p. 82, ISBN 9781317281016, One of the most prominent diaspora communities (approximately 15,000) is the Jains of Antwerp, Belgium, who are deeply involved in the precious stone trade.
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