Lorraine Williamson
The southern Spanish town of Jumilla has become the epicentre of a political controversy after a municipal decision severely limits the use of local sports facilities. The new regulations, passed on 28 July 2025, stipulate that these spaces can only be used for sports or council-organised activities.
As a result, the once-popular venue for Islamic celebrations, particularly the two major religious festivals—Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha—will no longer be available for the Muslim community that has lived in Jumilla for years.
The decision, backed by the Partido Popular (PP) and Vox, effectively excludes Islamic festivals from municipal spaces, where the local Muslim population of around 1,500 had previously gathered for communal prayers and festivities. The revision of the regulation, while offering a more neutral language than Vox’s original motion, still limits the use of these spaces for any cultural, religious, or social activities organised by external groups.
The original proposal by Vox, however, was far more controversial. It explicitly called for a ban on Islamic events like Eid al-Adha, claiming these festivals are incompatible with Spanish identity and traditions. This strong stance was softened by the PP, who argued some parts of the motion were unconstitutional. The PP removed several controversial clauses, turning the motion into a milder statement of national values and identity, and ensuring only council-sanctioned events or sports activities could take place in the municipal facilities.
Impact on Jumilla’s Muslim community
The new measure is seen as a direct attack on the Muslim community in Jumilla, who have used municipal sports venues for their religious and cultural gatherings. With the new restrictions in place, they lose the only large public space available for such celebrations. While Jumilla’s mayor, Juana Guardiola, insists that these events can still take place elsewhere, critics argue that this undermines the community’s right to celebrate their faith and culture in their hometown.
Legal concerns and potential discrimination
Legal experts have raised concerns that the new rule may infringe upon the Spanish Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and equality under Articles 14 and 16. According to José María Contreras, a professor of Ecclesiastical Law, the measure could be seen as indirectly discriminatory, as it targets a specific religious group—the Muslim community—who are the only ones to have used the space for religious events.
Strong public reactions
The decision has sparked a wave of condemnation. Mounir Benjelloun, president of the Federation of Islamic Religious Entities in Spain, condemned the ruling as discriminatory, racist, and Islamophobic. He has vowed to challenge the decision in court, citing the lack of any legal precedent for such a move. Civil society organisations, including the Moroccan Workers’ Association of Murcia (ATIM), have also expressed outrage, stating that the move breaches Spain’s constitutional principles and international agreements with the Muslim community.
Broader implications
This decision comes at a time when tensions surrounding Spain’s Muslim population are on the rise. With the growing presence of migrant communities, particularly from Morocco, Jumilla’s move is seen as part of a broader trend of exclusion and xenophobia that is increasingly gaining ground in some parts of the country. The region has already seen acts of violence, such as the anti-migrant riots in Torre Pacheco, where businesses and properties owned by people of Moroccan origin were attacked by far-right groups.
The controversy over Jumilla’s new regulations, combined with the rise in hate-driven violence, has sparked fears that this could be the start of a dangerous precedent, where more local councils follow suit and impose similar restrictions. This could further divide Spanish society, creating an environment where cultural and religious exclusion becomes more entrenched.
A divided Spain?
As Spain faces growing polarisation, Jumilla’s move may be more than just a local issue—it could signal a larger shift in how the country addresses its increasing multiculturalism. Legal experts, civil rights organisations, and the Muslim community are all watching closely to see how this will unfold, especially with other municipalities in the Murcia region, and beyond, potentially adopting similar measures. The decision has already ignited a wider debate about Spain’s identity and the place of minority groups in its future. The question remains whether this is a reflection of Spain’s evolving relationship with its diverse communities or a step towards deeper division.