News - World: A new ban on Islamic gatherings in public places in the southeastern Spanish town of Jumilla has caused outrage in the Muslim community.

The ban, which is a first, prohibits the adherents of Islam from using public facilities such as civic centers and gyms to celebrate the religious festivals Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha.

It states: “Municipal sports facilities cannot be used for religious, cultural or social activities alien to our identity unless organized by the local authority.”

Religious organizations have voiced concern over the move, saying the local officials’ ban will set a precedent to be followed by others in the future.

The ban on Muslims’ gatherings in public places is “Islamophobic and discriminatory,” Mounir Benjelloun Andaloussi Azhari, president of the Spanish federation of Islamic organizations, told El País newspaper.

“They’re not going after other religions, they’re going after ours,” he said. “We’re rather surprised by what’s happening in Spain. For the first time in 30 years, I feel afraid,” he added.

Following the 8th-century Muslim Conquest of Spain and the establishment of Al-Andalus, Islam became the main religion on the Iberian Peninsula.

However, the rise of European Christian kingdoms during the 16th century led to the Reconquista, a series of military and diplomatic campaigns that forced the majority of Muslims in Spain to either flee or face possible death.

Since then, Muslims in some places in Spain were forced to practice their faith in secrecy to avoid persecution by local officials.

Jumilla, with about 27,000 residents, is home to a significant population of Muslims. The birthplace of Ibn Arabi, one of the most influential Islamic figures, is in the nearby town of Murcia.

The ban on Muslims in Jumilla, introduced by the local Conservative People’s Party (PP), was passed despite opposition by the city’s left-wingers. Spain’s Migration Minister Elma Saiz said on Friday that the ban was “shameful”, urging local leaders to “take a step back” and apologize to Muslims.

Source: Press TV