‘Islamophobic’: Spanish Town Bans Muslim Festivals in Public Spaces
In a controversial and unprecedented decision, the local council of Jumilla, a town in the Murcia region of Spain, has prohibited Muslims from holding Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha celebrations in public facilities such as gyms and civic centers.
The restriction, approved by the conservative People’s Party (PP) and enabled by the abstention of the far-right Vox party, has triggered sharp backlash for a targeted attack on religious freedom.
The motion, passed at the municipal level, declares that “municipal sports facilities cannot be used for religious, cultural or social activities alien to our identity unless organised by the local authority,” according to The Guardian.
While not explicitly naming Islam, the intent of the decision was made clear when Vox celebrated the outcome on X (formerly Twitter), posting: “Thanks to Vox the first measure to ban Islamic festivals in Spain’s public spaces has been passed. Spain is and will be forever the land of Christian people.”
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Critics argue that the measure violates Article 16 of the Spanish Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and expression, with restrictions only in cases necessary to preserve public order.
“They’re not going after other religions, they’re going after ours,” said Mounir Benjelloun Andaloussi Azhari, president of the Spanish Federation of Islamic Organisations, in an interview with El País.
“We’re rather surprised by what’s happening in Spain. For the first time in 30 years I feel afraid,” he said, describing the decision as “Islamophobic and discriminatory.”
Local officials from left-wing parties have also condemned the move. Francisco Lucas, the socialist leader in Murcia, accused the ruling party of undermining unity. “The PP violates the constitution and puts social cohesion at risk simply in the pursuit of power.”
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Juana Guardiola, former Socialist mayor of Jumilla, questioned the ideological framing of the decision. “What do they mean by identity? And what about the centuries of Muslim legacy here?”
The decision has sparked deeper reflection on Spain’s historical and cultural identity. Jumilla, once part of the Roman Empire, became a predominantly Arab town after the 8th-century Islamic conquest. Known then as Yumil-la, it remained under Muslim governance until the 13th century when Christian forces took control. The capitulations of Alcatraz, a treaty to preserve local Muslim rights under Christian rule, were ultimately broken after the death of Alfonso X.
Today, 7.5% of Jumilla’s population originates from mostly Muslim countries.
Source: Agencies
