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Date Published: 28/05/2026

Muslim community in Murcia forced to pray in car park again after sports centre ban

The Jumilla Islamic community described the situation as “shameful and humiliating” after being barred from using municipal sports facilities

Hundreds of Muslims living in Jumilla were once again forced to celebrate one of the most important dates in the Islamic calendar in a car park this week after being barred from using municipal sports facilities.

Members of the town’s Islamic community gathered on Wednesday morning, May 27, in the parking area beside the indoor swimming pool to mark Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice.

It’s the second major religious celebration this year to be held in the same location after the community was also prevented from using the municipal sports centre during celebrations marking the end of Ramadan back in March.

The dispute began after Vox introduced a motion, backed by the Partido Popular, aimed at stopping religious celebrations from taking place in public sports facilities in Jumilla. The proposal was approved last summer as part of an agreement linked to the municipal budget.

Until then, the Muslim community had traditionally gathered at the football field inside the municipal sports centre for major religious celebrations.

Following the latest event this week, the Islamic community repeated its criticism of the alternative space provided by the council, describing the situation as “shameful and humiliating”.

In a statement, representatives explained that “many things still need to be improved so that the Muslim community can celebrate its holidays normally.”

They added that they remained willing to work with the local authorities to try to find a proper solution.

The issue has sparked controversy far beyond Jumilla and has become one of the most talked-about local political rows in the Region of Murcia over the past year.

Critics accused the council of unfairly targeting one religious community, especially as the change came shortly after tensions and racist unrest in Torre Pacheco last year following the assault of a local resident.

Although the motion approved by Vox and supported by the PP involved changing the rules governing the use of municipal sports facilities, the updated ordinance has still not officially come into force.

That means there is currently no legal ban preventing religious celebrations from taking place at the sports centre.

Despite this, Jumilla Town Hall once again opted to direct the Muslim community to the swimming pool car park for this week’s Eid celebrations, following talks between local officials and community representatives.

The State Attorney’s Office challenged the controversial motion in court last October, although a Murcia judge declined to temporarily suspend it while legal proceedings continue.

The row has also drawn criticism because of what some see as a contradiction in how public venues are being used for religious events in Spain. Pope Leo XIV is due to visit Spain in June and is scheduled to appear at several large sports venues during the trip, including stadium and arena events expected to attract thousands of worshippers.

Image: Islam en Murcia

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