Spain's leftist government on Monday ordered a town to scrap its plan to ban Islamic festivals, declaring the move 'racist'.
It comes after the town council of Jumilla, in the southeastern region of Murcia, approved a plan last week to ban religious events from being held at public facilities such a sports halls and civic centres.
The ban was supported by Spain's conservative People's Party (PP), who said it sought to 'promote and preserve the traditional value' of the area.
It was introduced to prohibit public facilities from being used for 'religious, cultural or social activities alien to our identity' unless officially organised by the local council.
Far-right party Vox had demanded the measure in exchange for backing the PP mayor's municipal budget.
