A decision to ban Islamic festivals in public has sparked uproar over discrimination and Islamophobia in a major region in Spain. Jumilla council in Murcia voted to ban Islamic religious celebrations from municipal sports halls and football fields, including Ramadan, one of the most important events. 

The conservative Popular Party (El Partido Popular) approved a proposal from Juan Agustín Navarro, a far-right Vox councillor. It was ultimately approved and legal due to an amendment, which, instead of expressly banning Islamic festivals, prohibited any non-sporting activity unless sponsored by the City Council at the facilities, where 1,500 Muslim residents normally gather to pray during Ramadan. Francisco Lucas, secretary general of the PSOE socialist party in the Murcia region, said: “The PP violates constitutional values and puts coexistence at risk, just by clinging to power.”

He added: “They have learned nothing from what happened in Torre Pacheco and continue to feed hatred and cause a social fracture with unforeseeable consequences.”

The decision follows racist-fuelled riots last month in Torre Pacheco towards the North African community, driven by anger online after a pensioner was reportedly attacked.

The president of the Spanish Federation of Islamic Religious Entities, Mounir Benjelloun Andaloussi Azhari, told El Pais that he now felt afraid for the first time in 30 years in Spain.

He said: “They are not against other faiths, they are against ours. This is an Islamophobic proposal. It is a discriminatory regulation so that only Muslims cannot enjoy their festivals.”

“We are a little surprised with everything that is happening in Spain. We see a radical change. This was a country in which its people have worked hard to enjoy the peace and freedom they have. But for the first time in 30 years I am afraid.”

The Vox party claimed it was the “first measure in Spain to prohibit Islamic holidays from being celebrated in public places,” reports the Olive Press.

Vox added: “This prevents the consolidation of foreign cultural practices that are not part of the Spanish tradition and that affect social cohesion, generating tensions and internal conflicts, uprooting and erosion of national identity.”

Such commemorations at public venues have been held for years without any issues and have been attended by up to 1,500 Muslims.

Murcia region communications secretary for Podemos, Victor Egio, said it will take it to the Prosecutor’s Office. He said: “Public spaces belong to everyone: Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and those who identify with no religion.

“Article 14 of the Constitution prohibits any type of discrimination based on birth, sex, or religion, and also guarantees freedom of worship.”