Terrorism is fostered by multiculturalism, which allows Muslim fundamentalists to come to Europe and wreak havoc, a prominent far-right leader in Belgium said, drawing quick condemnation from the Belgian government.
"Not all Muslims are terrorists, but virtually all terrorists are Muslims these days," Filip Dewinter said in a speech outside the British embassy in Brussels late on Thursday.
Dewinter told attendees at the "anti-terrorism wake" organised by his anti-immigrant Vlaams Belang party that "multiculturalism in practice often means multicriminal".
He said fundamentalism should be rooted out, and warned against granting privileges to Muslims in the name of tolerance.
The wake was held in parallel with a silent tribute by millions of people across Europe to the victims of last week's suicide attacks on London, when four British Muslims blew themselves up on the city's public transportation system.
The Belgian government condemned his comments.
A spokeswoman for a government anti-racism body said on Friday they proved Vlaams Belang was seeking to blacken the image of certain communities.