Major of Lleida closes Mosque

The Mayor of Lleida has told the Muslims who live in his town to pray at home, after he provisionally closed the mosque on Wednesday. The municipality has also passed a by-law banning the burka from public places.

Ángel Ros closed the mosque when it was discovered that too many people were inside, 1,200 when the authorized limit for the venue is 240, and responding to criticism has said that he has no obligation to find space for them or any other religion, telling them ‘When I want to pray I also do so at home’.

The Muslim community now has 15 days to present ‘a formal proposal and undertaking’ to control the numbers and safety, if they want the closure order lifted.