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The High Court in Murcia has decided not to put a temporary stop to a Jumilla council motion that aims to restrict the use of local sports facilities. The original motion, presented by Vox, asked the council to ensure the sports facilities are used only for sport and for activities organised directly by the town hall.

 

If this were ever put into practice, it would stop outside groups, including the large local Muslim community, from using the pavilion for their religious celebrations such as Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha.

 

The Spanish government immediately took issue with the proposal, claiming the ban “violates the constitutional principles of religious freedom, equality and administrative neutrality, and constitutes a clear misuse of power.”

 

They initially gave Jumilla Town Council until September 11 to either revoke the decision or explain why it would not do so. As this never happened, the government then asked the court to suspend the motion while the legal case is being examined. They argued that the motion limits freedom of religion for the Muslim community and that Jumilla’s Muslim residents have used the pavilion peacefully for years without any problems. They also said the council was using its powers for ideological reasons rather than the general public interest, which they consider an abuse of power.

 

The court has now refused to grant this temporary suspension, stressing that the motion approved by the council has not actually changed any rules – yet. It’s simply a political instruction asking the governing team to begin the process of updating the regulations at some point in the future.

 

Crucially, at the moment, the regulations still say that the sports facilities can be used for the same purposes as before, which means the Muslim community can continue to celebrate their festivals in the pavilion.

 

Because of this, the judges said there is no immediate harm that needs to be prevented. The court pointed out that the next religious celebrations, which fall in March and May 2026, will not be affected because nothing has been altered yet. For that reason, the court does not see any urgent danger that would justify freezing the motion right now.

 

The judges also said that accusations involving religious freedom, equality or neutrality must be studied in depth during the main case. These issues cannot be used as quick grounds to suspend a political motion at an early stage, they added, pointing out that the town hall has not yet started this process, nor has it approved any new wording.

 

In the end, the court concluded that the request for suspension has no basis at this stage, although the wider legal challenge continues. The ruling is not final and can still be appealed before the Administrative Chamber of the High Court of Justice of Murcia.

 

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