The town of Jumilla, Spain, is facing enormous opposition. Most Muslim residents in the area would view the local council’s decision to ban any religious festival as a targeted and discriminatory approach to the Muslim community. Ángel Víctor Torres, the minister for territorial policy, emphasized the need for decisive action against intolerance, stating, “There can be no half-measures when it comes to intolerance.” This latest controversy comes at an especially sensitive time, as regional tensions flare. Pastors, local government officials, and other community leaders have been calling for an immediate reversal.
The conservative-led local council in Jumilla staunchly stood behind their antagonistic motion. They contended that it was not targeted to specific religions or beliefs. Led by Mayor Seve González, the council claimed their aim was to promote cultural campaigns that would protect “the values and religious expressions of our country.” Critics say the ban marginalizes Jumilla’s estimated 1,500 Muslims, many of whom are already in the minority. These Muslims have in the past used public facilities to celebrate their most important religious observances, including Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
This decision comes on the heels of recent civil unrest in Torre-Pacheco. Violence exploded when militias brandishing batons roamed the streets to “hunt” people with foreign roots. This unrest has triggered deep concern and solidarity over the growth of xenophobia and racism across the region. According to Instagram 1, racist campaigning on social media increased by as much as 1,500% in the weeks prior to these events.
Spain’s migration minister Elma Saiz described the ban at the time as “shameful.” She contended that the move would harm citizens of Jumilla who have been peacefully coexisting for decades and have contributed to the local economy. She underscored Spain’s historical connection to Muslim culture, stating, “It overlooks that we would not be the country we are today if we could not appreciate the contribution of Muslim culture to our language, our works of art, advances in architecture and civil engineering.”
The backlash against the ban goes further than the Muslim community. The Catholic Church in Oregon has already made its opposition to the measure clear on discrimination grounds. They think it infringes on their freedom of religion. The Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain criticized the ban as a “serious democratic setback.” They were particularly keen on its contribution to mutual respect between confessions in today’s Spain.
Mounir Benjelloun Andaloussi Azhari, president of the Spanish Federation of Islamic Religious Entities, gave a stark message. He underscored how the actions taking place in Jumilla and Torre-Pacheco expose the urgent and dangerous threats brought on by the spread of far-right ideologies. He worried that these sentiments risked the peaceful cohabitation that Jumilla had sustained among its 72 nationalities.
9 and hostilities have escalated dramatically. The central government has since then established a 30-day deadline for the local council to officially reply to Madrid’s demand to repeal the ban. That situation is still evolving as community leaders and elected officials continue to watch and hope for the best.