Spanish Town Bans Muslim Festivals in Public Spaces, Citing ‘Preservation of Identity’

The small Spanish town of Jumilla has become the first in the country to ban Muslim religious festivals such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha from public spaces, including sports halls and civic centers, unless organized by the municipal council.

The measure, passed by the local branch of the nationalist Vox party, is framed as protecting traditions from activities “alien to our identity.” Vox 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.”

Vox spokesperson Alba Franco linked Muslim gatherings to “insecurity” and warned of “Islamisation” in local communities. Muslim leaders in the region have condemned the move. Walid Habbal, coordinator of the Islamic Commission of Murcia, called it “a step backwards” and “a lack of respect.”

The decision comes amid rising nationalist sentiment and anti-migrant protests in Spain’s Murcia region, reflecting broader tensions across Europe over immigration, integration, and cultural identity.