On July 28, 2025, the town council of Jumilla, Murcia, with a population of approximately 27,000, including 7.5% from predominantly Muslim countries, passed a controversial measure banning the use of public facilities like civic centers and gyms for celebrating Muslim religious festivals, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Proposed by the conservative People’s Party (PP), the motion, which passed narrowly with the abstention of the far-right Vox party and opposition from left-wing parties, states that “municipal sports facilities cannot be used for religious, cultural or social activities alien to our identity unless organized by the local authority.”
The decision, the first of its kind in Spain, has sparked widespread outrage. Mounir Benjelloun Andaloussi Azhari, president of the Spanish Federation of Islamic Organizations, labeled the ban “Islamophobic and discriminatory,” noting it targets Muslims specifically. “They’re not going after other religions, they’re going after ours,” he told El País. He expressed fear for the first time in 30 years, citing rising anti-Muslim rhetoric. Francisco Lucas, Murcia’s Socialist Party leader, condemned the PP for violating Article 16 of Spain’s Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion with restrictions only for public order, warning it risks social cohesion. Former socialist mayor Juana Guardiola questioned the term “identity,” highlighting Jumilla’s centuries-long Muslim history as Yumil-la under Arab rule until the 13th century.
The local Vox party celebrated on X, stating, “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.” The Spanish Episcopal Conference also criticized the ban, emphasizing that public religious expressions are protected under constitutional law. Legal experts anticipate challenges, as the measure likely contravenes constitutional protections. The regional government of Murcia, where the proposal awaits further review, is unlikely to approve it due to its legislative makeup.
The ban follows recent anti-migrant riots in nearby Torre Pacheco, reflecting tensions amid Spain’s growing immigrant population, including many from Muslim-majority countries like Morocco and Algeria. Critics, including El País, see it as part of a broader shift where the PP aligns with far-right narratives on immigration, raising concerns about religious freedom and social integration across Spain.
Source: African Publicity