Balearic Parliament Rejects Ban Proposal Against Eid al-Adha

Parliament Says No: Eid al-Adha Remains Allowed

Thursday afternoon in Palma: In the plenary of the Balearic Parliament, a decision was made that you can feel here on the island. A Vox proposal that would have banned the public celebration of the Islamic Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) did not receive a majority. All other factions, including the conservative People's Party (PP), voted against the proposal.

No Momentum for the Ban

Who was walking along the Paseo del Borne that day heard in cafés and bakeries above all one word: relief. Many neighbors and shopkeepers told me they would prefer discussions at the local tavern to bans. In the debate in parliament, opponents argued that a ban would be symbolic and difficult to implement—especially when it comes to religious rituals that include family celebrations and charity.

The Vox proposal aimed, among other things, to restrict the use of public spaces and mobile slaughterhouses for the rituals. Critics saw this as a targeted attack on a minority community. Proponents argued that certain practices did not belong to the 'local traditions' — a formulation that did not sit well with many politicians and citizens on the Balearics.

The Island Responds

In a brief conversation with an imam from Palma I heard: "We want to celebrate, share, and not burden anyone." In some neighborhoods, it was reported that the community coordinates local procedures — veterinarians and slaughterhouses work partly privately to ensure hygiene and animal welfare. These arrangements make a blanket ban difficult.

It is interesting how varied practice in Spain can be. A few weeks ago, the town council in Jumilla (region of Murcia) voted differently — there, the PP supported a similar proposal. This shows how much local politics sets the tone: what passes in a small town does not automatically transfer here on the islands.

What Does This Mean for Living Together?

For many people in Mallorca, the decision signals that religious festivals should continue to be visibly celebrated as long as legal requirements are met. At the same time the debate remains open: How do we ensure animal welfare, public order, and religious freedom at the same time? The answer will be tested in the coming months at street-level and municipal councils.

Those who followed the vote will notice: politics here is not a theatre piece with fixed roles. Neighbors, traders, associations, and religious representatives weigh in—and it is sometimes loud, often messy, but mostly pragmatic. For now, Eid al-Adha can continue to be celebrated on the Balearics—and that brings a small sense of relief in many places.