<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/06/spain-local-authority-ban-muslims-public-facilities-religious-celebrations>
"A local authority in south-east Spain has banned Muslims from using public
facilities such as civic centres and gyms to celebrate the religious festivals
Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha.
The ban in Jumilla, in Murcia, is a first in Spain. It was introduced by the
conservative People’s party (PP) and passed with the abstention of the
far-right Vox party and the opposition of local leftwing parties.
The proposal states “municipal sports facilities cannot be used for religious,
cultural or social activities alien to our identity unless organised by the
local authority”.
The local Vox party posted 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.”
Mounir Benjelloun Andaloussi Azhari, president of the Spanish federation of
Islamic organisations, told
El País newspaper the proposal was “Islamophobic
and discriminatory”.
“They’re not going after other religions, they’re going after ours,” he said.
Referring to the recent rise of racist rhetoric and attacks, he added: “We’re
rather surprised by what’s happening in Spain. For the first time in 30 years I
feel afraid.”
Jumilla has a population of about 27,000, of whom 7.5% come from largely Muslim
countries.
The decision is bound to be challenged as it contravenes article 16 of the
Spanish constitution, which states: “Freedom of ideology, religion and worship
of individuals and communities is guaranteed, with no other restriction on
their expression than may be necessary to maintain public order as protected by
law”."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
