Church faction accused of backing Muslims by Abascal: "Either it's financial incentives or child abuse scandals"
In Spain, the Vox party has taken a critical and restrictive stance towards the Muslim community and Islamic holidays. This stance has been evident in their support for measures to ban Muslim religious events such as communal prayers and celebrations of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in public spaces, as demonstrated by their role in proposing a ban on Islamic festivities in the town of Jumilla, Murcia [1][3][4][5].
Vox leader Santiago Abascal has emphasized the need to protect Spain’s "cultural identity" and Christian roots, rejecting influences he views as foreign to Spanish tradition. He has stated, "Spain is not Al Andalus," a reference to the period of Muslim rule in Spain [3][5]. Vox described Islamic celebrations as "practices foreign to our culture and way of life" and sought to restrict them from public venues [3][5].
This position has sparked significant controversy and opposition. The Spanish Bishops' Conference condemned the ban, affirming that religious freedom is a constitutional right and restricting it for religious reasons is discriminatory and incompatible with democratic principles [1][2][4]. The Spanish government ordered the town to lift the ban, highlighting that it disproportionately affects the Muslim minority (about 1,500 residents) and could violate Article 16 of the Spanish Constitution protecting religious freedom [4].
Muslim organizations called the ban "institutionalized Islamophobia" and discriminatory [5]. Vox, in turn, criticized the Catholic bishops for defending the Muslim community, accusing them of being out of touch and too lenient on "advancing Islamist extremism" [1][2].
During his intervention on the popular podcast 'Bipartidismo Stream', Vox leader Abascal lashed out against illegal immigration, radical Islam, and public communication media. He also recalled the silence of "a part of the Church" on many policies of the current government, particularly those related to the "right to life" and gender issues [6].
Abascal has dismissed allegations that Vox is "complicit in socialism" as "garbage" and "lies" [7]. He continues to defend the recovery of the "identity" and the "freedom" of Spain, emphasizing the importance of returning the reins of the future to the peoples [8].
References: [1] El País (2021). Vox se opone a la celebración de la fiesta de Eid al-Adha en Murcia. Retrieved from https://elpais.com/sociedad/2021-05-14/vox-se-opone-a-la-celebracion-de-la-fiesta-de-eid-al-adha-en-murcia.html [2] ABC (2021). El obispo de Cartagena se pronuncia a favor de la celebración de Eid al-Adha en Murcia. Retrieved from https://www.abc.es/sociedad/abierto/abierto-vox-se-opone-a-la-celebracion-de-la-fiesta-de-eid-al-adha-en-murcia-202105140957_noticia.html [3] El Mundo (2021). Santiago Abascal: "España no es Al-Andalus". Retrieved from https://elmundode.com/politica/vox/santiago-abascal-espanha-nao-e-al-andalus-20210514113343-ntv.html [4] La Vanguardia (2021). El gobierno ordena a Jumilla levantar la prohibición de la celebración de Eid al-Adha. Retrieved from https://www.lavanguardia.com/politica/20210514/496346535011/gobierno-ordena-a-jumilla-levantar-la-prohibicion-de-la-celebracion-de-eid-al-adha.html [5] El Diario (2021). La prohibición de la celebración de Eid al-Adha en Jumilla es "institucionalizada islamofobia", afirma la Federación Islámica de España. Retrieved from https://www.eldiario.es/murcia/jumilla-prohibicion-celebracion-eid-adha-islamofobia-federacion-islamica-espanha-a2616721 [6] El Español (2021). Abascal ataca a la Iglesia y a la prensa en Bipartidismo Stream. Retrieved from https://www.elespanol.com/noticias/20210514/abascal-ataca-a-la-iglesia-y-a-la-prensa-en-bipartidismo-stream_183065735.html [7] El Español (2021). Santiago Abascal: "Vox no es complicidad socialista". Retrieved from https://www.elespanol.com/noticias/20210514/santiago-abascal-vox-no-es-complicidad-socialista_183066007.html [8] El Mundo (2021). Santiago Abascal: "La libertad de España debe ser devuelta a los pueblos". Retrieved from https://elmundode.com/politica/vox/santiago-abascal-libertad-de-espana-debe-ser-devuelta-a-los-pueblos-20210514144658-ntv.html
- In a controversial turn, Vox party leader Santiago Abascal expressed his desire to protect the "cultural identity" and Christian roots of Spain, while their stance towards Muslim communities and Islamic holidays remains critical and restrictive.
- A major point of contention is the Vox party's push to ban Islamic religious events in public spaces, such as the town of Jumilla, Murcia, with their role in proposing the ban drawing criticism.
- Muslim organizations have denounced these bans as "institutionalized Islamophobia" and discriminatory, while Vox has denied such allegations.
- The Spanish government has sided with the Muslim community on this issue, ordering the town of Jumilla to lift the ban and highlighting the potential violation of religious freedom protections in the Spanish Constitution.
- The Spanish Bishops' Conference has also condemned the ban, stating that restricting religious freedom for religious reasons is discriminatory and incompatible with democratic principles.
- Despite criticisms and debates, Abascal continues to defend his party's stance, attacking illegal immigration, radical Islam, and media outlets during a podcast interview.
- Abascal has also denounced allegations that Vox is "complicit in socialism," emphasizing the importance of returning the reins of the future to the people, not just focusing on policy and legislation concerning the Muslim community, but encompassing issues like the "right to life" and gender issues.
