Spanish town prohibits muslim festivals in public venues, sparks row: Reports

Representative imageThe municipal council of Jumilla, a town in Spain’s Murcia region, has voted to bar Muslim religious celebrations such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha from being held in public venues, including civic centres and sports facilities.The proposal, put forward by the conservative People’s Party (PP), passed with the far-right Vox party abstaining and left-wing councillors opposing it. Under the new rule, municipal spaces “cannot be used for religious, cultural, or social events unrelated to our identity unless organised by the local authority.”Jumilla, home to around 27,000 residents, has a Muslim community making up roughly 7.5% of the population, many of whom are of North African origin.Vox’s local branch hailed the move online, calling it a milestone in limiting Islamic celebrations in public spaces and asserting that Spain “is and will remain a Christian country.”In response, Mounir Benjelloun Andaloussi Azhari, president of the Spanish Federation of Islamic Organisations, condemned the decision as “Islamophobic and discriminatory” in remarks to El País.

Suraj Singh

Aug 10, 2025 - 09:58

Representative image

The municipal council of Jumilla, a town in Spain’s Murcia region, has voted to bar Muslim religious celebrations such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha from being held in public venues, including civic centres and sports facilities.

The proposal, put forward by the conservative People’s Party (PP), passed with the far-right Vox party abstaining and left-wing councillors opposing it. Under the new rule, municipal spaces “cannot be used for religious, cultural, or social events unrelated to our identity unless organised by the local authority.”

Jumilla, home to around 27,000 residents, has a Muslim community making up roughly 7.5% of the population, many of whom are of North African origin.

Vox’s local branch hailed the move online, calling it a milestone in limiting Islamic celebrations in public spaces and asserting that Spain “is and will remain a Christian country.”

In response, Mounir Benjelloun Andaloussi Azhari, president of the Spanish Federation of Islamic Organisations, condemned the decision as “Islamophobic and discriminatory” in remarks to El País.