LONDON: A town in Spain has banned Muslims from celebrating religious festivals in public areas.
Jumilla, in Murcia, has a population of about 27,000, of whom 7.5 percent come from Muslim countries.
The ban was passed by the conservative People’s Party, and backed by the far-right Vox party, weeks after the nearby town of Torre Pacheco saw anti-migrant unrest.
Under the ban, public facilities cannot be used for “religious, cultural or social activities alien to our identity” unless approved by local authorities. It includes the use of sports halls and community centers, and applies to celebrations including Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha.
Vox said on X: “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.”
However, the motion has come in for fierce criticism, with some even suggesting it could be illegal, with Article 16 of Spain’s constitution granting religious freedom.
Francisco Lucas, the leader of the Socialists in the Murcia region, said: “The PP violates the constitution and puts social cohesion as risk simply in the pursuit of power.”
The former mayor of Jumilla, Juana Guardiola, said: “What do they mean by identity? And what about the centuries of Muslim legacy here?”
Mounir Benjelloun Andaloussi Azhari, president of the Spanish Federation of Islamic Organizations, told Spanish newspaper El Pais: “They’re not going after other religions, they’re going after ours.”
Referencing the recent unrest in the area, he added: “We’re rather surprised by what’s happening in Spain. For the first time in 30 years I feel afraid.”
Violence in Torre Pacheco was sparked after three Moroccan men allegedly beat up a pensioner in the town in July. Riots lasted for several days, with Spanish press outlets reporting locals had gathered with weapons looking for foreigners.
More than 100 police were sent to the area to quell the unrest.
