- August 7, 2025
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for the removal of a Spanish town’s ban on Muslims using public facilities to celebrate religious activities deemed “alien to its identity.”
That ban in Jumilla prevents Muslims from gathering in public gyms or civic buildings to mark the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha, marking the pilgrimage to Mecca. Almost 8 percent of residents are from predominantly Muslim countries. The local People’s Party (PP) introduced the ban, which may violate Article 16 of the Spanish constitution that guarantees freedom of religion and worship.
Last month, CAIR said Islamophobia is “spinning out of control” in Europe after a Muslim woman was murdered in Germany and a mosque was burned during anti-immigrant riots in Spain.
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“This shameful and unconstitutional ban reflects the disturbing growth and normalization of anti-Muslim bigotry across Europe. Targeting religious minorities under the guise of cultural identity is a clear violation of human rights and is a recipe for societal division. We urge that the ban be overturned.”
Washington, D.C., based CAIR recently called on European leaders to stop promoting anti-Muslim hate after mosques in the United Kingdom and France were targeted with attacks.
CAIR also called on French officials to stop fanning the flames of Islamophobia after a suspect reportedly killed a Tunisian neighbor in southeastern France and badly wounded a Turkish man.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com
Categories: The Muslim Times