Parliamentary Protection for Moors and Christians
18 October 2006
A parliamentary proposition has been forwarded to legally protect the tradition of ‘Moors and Christians’ across Spain.
 Fiestas this year were visibly changed so as to avoid causing offence to Muslim communities. Typically, an effigy of the Prophet Mohammed is burned, or worse, during the fiesta. This has caused condemnation in some quarters, and caused such parts of the fiesta to be toned down. The act is considered offensive by some people to the values of the Muslim community.
Now, the PP parliamentary spokesman, Eduardo Zapalan, ahs called for the tradition to be protected under a heritage law. Unesco recognises some traditions as ‘Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity’. If ‘Moors and Christians’ is recognised under this definition, then its future and format will be legally protected.
The move has received backing fro the PP president, Jose Joaquin Ripoll.
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