Antverpia
| Islamic Republic of Antverpia | |||
| |||
| Official language(s) | English | ||
| Largest religion(s) | Islam | ||
| Demonym | Antverpian | ||
| - Adjective | Antverpian | ||
| Government | Parliamentary democracy | ||
| - Executive | Minister-President | ||
| - Legislature | Shura | ||
| - Judiciary | Supreme Court | ||
| - Advisory | Islamic State Council | ||
| Establishment | March 16, 2002 | ||
| - End | 2004 | ||
| Population | 6 | ||
| - Active | 6 | ||
| National website | defunct | ||
| National forum | defunct | ||
The Islamic Republic of Antverpia was a micronation in which Frans played a leading role. It was founded on March 16, 2002. Initially it was ruled by a Regent and a Provisional Congress. A constitution was adopted on August 16, 2002. The nation succumbed in 2004 due to inactivity.
Antverpia is the latin name of the city of Antwerp. The three founders had a link with this city, hence the name.
A quote from the nation's website:
Antverpia calls itself an Islamic Republic because it tries to bring the Islamic teachings according to statecraft and governance into practice. The Antverpian constitution is based on a modern view on Islamic governing. The Islamic Republic of Antverpia tries to prove that Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance, harmony and love.
Advisory branch of government
A novelty, first introduced by Antverpia, was a fourth branch of government: the advisory branch e.g. the Islamic State Council. Every piece of legislation needed the advice of the Council, but this advice was not binding. The idea was taken from Antverpia's manifesto:
Religion, however, shall not have exclusive legislative authority. The government shall not interfere in religious affairs, and religions shall not interfere in the government’s affairs. Still, religions have a duty to draw attention of the legislature to moral issues.
The idea was later also used in New Batavia and Kurum Ash-Sharqia.
