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Spanish Town Sparks Outrage After Banning Muslim Festivals
A town in southern Spain has sparked national and international controversy after its local council voted to ban all Muslim religious festivals, citing the need to “preserve Spanish traditions.” The decision, passed by the town hall of El Ejido in the province of Almería, has been condemned by human rights groups, Muslim communities, and opposition politicians as discriminatory and unconstitutional.
The resolution, introduced by the far-right party Vox and backed by a conservative majority on the council, specifically targets the celebration of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, key holidays in the Islamic calendar. The vote passed with a narrow majority on Tuesday evening, prompting protests outside the town hall by local residents and Muslim leaders.
El Ejido, known for its large population of North African workers employed in the region’s massive greenhouse agriculture sector, has long been a microcosm of Spain’s tensions over immigration and multiculturalism. Nearly 30% of the town’s population are foreign-born, with a significant portion identifying as Muslim.
Vox councillors argued that the ban was aimed at “protecting cultural cohesion” and claimed that “foreign customs” were eroding Spanish identity. “We will no longer allow practices that have nothing to do with our history and Christian roots,” said a Vox spokesperson during the council meeting.
Critics, however, say the move is a blatant attempt to marginalise Muslims and stir up xenophobic sentiment ahead of the 2026 regional elections. Spain’s Ministry of Equality and several Muslim associations are preparing legal challenges, arguing the ban violates the constitutional right to religious freedom.
Mohammed Boulif, a local imam, called the decision “an insult to our community and our contributions to the town.” He warned it could deepen divisions in an already tense environment: “This sends a message that we do not belong here, even though many of us were born and raised in Spain.”
Spain’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and legal experts say the town’s resolution may not survive scrutiny in court. The Spanish Ombudsman has already announced an investigation, and national politicians from across the political spectrum have criticised the move.
Prime Minister María Jesús Montero called the decision “shameful” and said it undermined the values of tolerance and pluralism. “Spain is a diverse nation. No one has the right to erase another’s culture or faith.”
As protests grow and legal action looms, the town of El Ejido may find itself at the centre of a national debate about identity, integration, and the limits of local power. For now, its Muslim residents face the prospect of celebrating their most sacred holidays in silence.
Attached is a News article regarding Muslim festivals bans in Spanish town
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/07/spanish-town-bans-public-muslim-celebrations/
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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