The historic town of Jumilla was on the frontline of conflict between Muslims and Christians when the Moors were kicked out of southern Spain in the 13th century.
Muslim migrants may have felt more welcome in recent years when they have lived largely happily alongside their Spanish neighbours, and enjoyed freedom to worship.
But a decision by Jumilla town council to effectively ban religious events from being held at public sports' facilities has threatened to ignite community tensions.
Muslims have no doubt that the ruling is aimed at them as it will prevent them having traditional Eid prayers twice a year at the town's Antonio Ibanez Morales football stadium.
The Daily Mail can reveal that local Muslims have up to now hired the pitch to hold prayers for Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, known as the 'lamb festival'.
