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Municipality in Japan bans 30-year Eid prayer tradition in park over 'security' concerns
In Ichikawa, Japan, the municipality refused permission for Muslims to hold Eid prayers in a park this year, ending a years-long tradition. The decision came after a racist campaign spread on social media.
In Ichikawa, near the capital Tokyo, the municipality refused permission for Muslims to hold Eid prayers in a park this year, a tradition they had practiced for years. According to Kyodo news agency, the municipality rejected an application in May to hold prayers in the park.
Yet the same park had hosted Eid prayers for years with the approval of local authorities. The decision came right after footage of a prayer held in the same park last autumn spread on social media, sparking a racist campaign.
The municipality initially canceled the Eid prayer and sermon entirely, but later reached a compromise with organizers to allow the event only as a "social gathering"; praying in the open area was banned.
Mosque representative Abdullah Miyazawa (56) said that Ramadan and Eid al-Adha prayers have been held in the park for about 30 years. Miyazawa stressed that organizers had always acted in accordance with public morals and maintained good relations with local residents. He added that around 200 people attended the Ramadan Eid prayer held in the same park in March.
Ichikawa municipal officials, however, claimed the decision was made after the municipality received both supportive and opposing phone calls following online criticism. Officials cited "security concerns" as the reason for revoking the park usage permit.
This controversy comes at a time of rising fears of increasing discrimination against Muslims in Japan. In recent years, mosques across the country have faced various cases of harassment and mistreatment.
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