"Spain Is And Will Be Forever The Land Of Christian People": Spanish Town Bans Public Celebration Of Muslim Festivals

A local council in Jumilla, a town in Spain’s Murcia region, has passed a controversial motion banning Muslim religious festivals such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha from being held in municipal spaces, including civic centres and sports halls, the Indian Express reported.

The motion states that public facilities “cannot be used for religious, cultural or social activities alien to our identity unless organised by the local authority.”

Jumilla, with a population of around 27,000, includes an estimated 7.5 per cent Muslim community, many of whom are of North African origin.

The motion was introduced by the conservative People’s Party (PP) and approved with the abstention of the far-right Vox party, while left-wing parties opposed it.

Vox hailed the decision, stating on social media, “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.”

Also Read: Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project Clears Major Urban Hurdle With Vishwamitri Bridge; 17 Of 21 River Bridges In Gujarat Completed

Mounir Benjelloun Andaloussi Azhari, president of the Spanish Federation of Islamic Organisations, described the move as “Islamophobic and discriminatory.”

In remarks to El País, he said that other religions were not being targeted, only Islam, and expressed fear over the move.

Legal experts and opposition leaders say the measure may violate Article 16 of the Spanish Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and prohibits restrictions unless necessary to maintain public order.

Francisco Lucas of the regional Socialist Party criticised the move on X, saying, “The PP violates constitutional values and puts coexistence at risk, just to cling to power.”

Juana Guardiola, former Socialist mayor of Jumilla, questioned the use of the term “identity,” asking, “What do they mean by identity? And what about the centuries of Muslim legacy here?”

Also Read: Assam To Issue Arms Licences For Indigenous People In Vulnerable Areas, Online Portal To Roll Out Soon