Muslims in Lleida ask for an exception to the nightly curfew for Ramadan
Local Watani Association says these days are “sacred” and that the religious rituals last until early hours of the morning
muslim community
‘A year on, we’re more united than ever’
President of Pakistani association says ties between Muslims and non-Muslims in Catalonia stronger after terror attacks
Not in my name
Catalonia’s Muslim community stands firm against terrorism
Catalan society less discriminatory than most, say Muslim residents
Nowadays, multiple cultures, religions and traditions live side by side in the neighbourhoods of many European cities, and Catalonia is no exception, quite the contrary in fact. According to the Union of Islamic Communities in Spain, overall 1,858,409 Muslims live there. The majority of them are concentrated in Catalonia, a country with a long history of accommodating foreigners, where 509,333 followers of this religion dwell (out of a total population of 7.55 million people). Although acknowledging that individual acts of discrimination do occur, Muslims affirm that here the social climate is not filled with hatred. However, in the past few decades, 'anti-immigration discourses' have entered some isolated Catalan political parties' agendas and those whom we interviewed think that local media present a skewed picture of the Muslim community.
Working in the hot fields during Ramadan
Each year, thousands of seasonal workers come to Lleida's fields to work picking fruit; most of them are Muslim and thus have to work during Ramadan. They claim that, despite the Ramadan being tough, this year it has been made a little easier thanks to the weather, there is "less heat than last summer" they say.
Tariq Ramadan: “Europe does not care about democracy in the Arab countries but rather its geo-strategic interests”
The Islamic intellectual, Tariq Ramadan was interviewed by CNA. “We are afraid of the arrival of immigrants, but the best thing to do is develop the countries of origin”. The grandson of the Muslim Brotherhood’s founder criticised Europe’s lack of commitment with the democratization of the Muslim world as revolts go on and racism grows in countries like Switzerland and Spain.
The Pakistani community of Badalona denies WikiLeaks terrorist accusations
“Our people have nothing to do with that activity and mentality”, affirmed the president of the Islamic community. WikiLeaks’ articles were picturing Catalonia as the main Yihadist area in Spain and were focusing on Badalona and the Pakistani community.
Celebrating Ramadan in unusual places
Muslims in Badalona celebrate Ramadan in the old fire station, offered by the City Hall to be used during the entire month. The decision has however carried some controversy by conservative parties.