Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The council hails the ban as a safeguard against “foreign cultural practices”.
The council hails the ban as a safeguard against “foreign cultural practices”.
What is happening?
A controversial decision by the Spanish town of Jumilla’s local council in the Murcia Region has triggered national uproar.
The council voted to ban Islamic festivals—specifically Ramadan celebrations—from public sports venues, where up to 1,500 Muslims traditionally gather for prayer.
Political alliance pushes through controversial measure
The motion was proposed by far-right Vox councillor Juan Agustín Navarro and backed by the conservative Popular Party (PP).
Though it doesn’t explicitly mention Islam, an amendment now prohibits any non-sporting event at municipal facilities unless officially sponsored by the City Council.
Critics call out thinly veiled discrimination
Opponents argue the change is a barely disguised attempt to target Muslims.
Francisco Lucas of the PSOE socialist party said the PP was undermining Spain’s constitutional values and stoking division in order to hold onto political power.
Echoes of Torre Pacheco riots still fresh
The decision comes on the heels of violent, racially charged riots in Torre Pacheco, another town in Murcia.
Those attacks, fueled by online misinformation after an elderly man was reportedly assaulted, mainly targeted the North African community, exacerbating existing tensions.
Muslim leader: “For the first time in 30 years, I am afraid”
Mounir Benjelloun Andaloussi Azhari, president of the Spanish Federation of Islamic Religious Entities, voiced alarm.
“They are not against other faiths, they are against ours,” he told El País.
He described the move as a clear act of Islamophobia.
Vox defends the ban as a cultural safeguard
The far-right Vox party hailed the ban as a “first” in Spain, claiming it prevents “foreign cultural practices” from taking root.
They argue that such celebrations challenge Spanish traditions and threaten national identity and social cohesion.
No incidents so far
Local Muslims have been celebrating Ramadan at these public venues for years without incident.
The events have been peaceful, inclusive, and well-organized—regularly drawing large, respectful crowds from the community.
Legal action on the horizon
Victor Egio from Podemos announced plans to take the case to the Prosecutor’s Office.
He emphasized that religious freedom is enshrined in Spain’s constitution, and that public spaces must remain open to people of all faiths—or none at all.
Constitutional protections at the center of the debate
Article 14 of the Spanish Constitution prohibits discrimination based on religion, among other factors.
It also guarantees the right to practice one’s faith. Critics argue the council’s move stands in clear violation of these fundamental rights.
A broader warning about rising Islamophobia
For many, this incident is part of a Spanish trend, many sees as troubling.
What was once a country known for its religious tolerance is now, according to Muslim leaders, shifting toward fear and exclusion.
As tensions mount, the debate over identity and inclusion in Spain grows more urgent.
