Last Wednesday the UK’s Guardian newspaper reported that Muslims in the town of Jumilla in Murcia had been banned 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.
According to the paper, this proposal is a first in Spain and was introduced by the PP and passed with the abstention of the far-right Vox party and the opposition of 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 paper reminds us that this decision 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”.
This attempt to restrict religious freedom in Jumilla – a town where some 7.5% of the population come from largely Muslim countries – is an offence not just to Muslims, but to all religious people, and indeed anyone and everyone who values respect for one another as a key part of what it means to be human. The history of this land has included moments of real religious intolerance. The Constitution of 1978 is there to ensure that those days are over.
Read the full story here.