Seville's mayor, José Luis Sanz, does not rule out removing from the agenda of the Urban Planning commission the construction license for the Islamic cultural centre in Polígono Sur, despite acknowledging that the project complies with the law. The decision will be made this Friday following a request from Vox.
Seville's mayor, José Luis Sanz, has opened the door to halting the project of the Islamic cultural centre in Polígono Sur, a complex promoted by the Mosque Foundation of Seville that includes a minaret and a prayer room. This Thursday, following Vox's request to remove the item from the agenda of the Urban Planning executive commission, Sanz stated that the decision will be made this Friday and that he does not rule out any option, even though the file meets all legal requirements.
A private project that complies with the law
The mayor wanted to differentiate this initiative from the controversial mosque in Los Bermejales, which at the time involved a transfer of municipal land. "Now it is a private developer who is purchasing private socio-cultural land," Sanz explained, emphasising that the complex is not exactly a mosque, but a socio-cultural space with workshops, coworking areas, a café, and even a medical care service. The religious space will occupy approximately 20% of the total area.
The mayor insisted that "ideologies are not above the law" and that the administrative procedure has been followed normally. The license was requested less than a year ago and, according to municipal sources, the technicians have already reviewed the project without finding any impediments to its granting.
Vox pressures to redefine the project
The municipal group of Vox has requested the removal of the item from the agenda, arguing that the prayer room, due to its specific orientation, constitutes a primary use and not an accessory one, which they believe is not reflected in the file. Sanz confirmed that the party has not threatened to withdraw its support for the local government if the license is approved, but admitted that the social impact of the project is undeniable.
"We are aware of the social impact this issue can have and Vox has requested to redefine it and open a participatory process," the mayor pointed out. The Urban Planning executive commission will debate this Friday whether to maintain or withdraw the item, in a decision that will mark the future of a project that has been generating controversy in the city for years.
The Foundation trusts in legality
From the Mosque Foundation of Seville, they appear calm and confident that the license will be granted. Its vice president, Jalid Nieto, has stated that "we know that the manager and the technician have reviewed the project and there is no loophole to deny it." In statements to Europa Press, Nieto asserted that the most normal thing would be to obtain the permit without further delay, as "in law and right it must be granted; failing to do so would be an administrative anomaly."
The Foundation has been promoting this Islamic cultural centre for years, which aims to provide services to the Muslim community in Seville and foster intercultural dialogue. However, the project has raised concerns among political and community sectors who see the minaret and prayer room as a religious symbol that exceeds the cultural nature of the complex.
What will happen to the Islamic cultural centre?
The decision this Friday in the Urban Planning executive commission will be crucial. If the item is withdrawn, the project would be temporarily halted until Vox's allegations are resolved. If it is maintained, the license could be approved in the coming weeks, giving the green light to works that the Foundation hopes to start as soon as possible.
For the residents of Polígono Sur, the uncertainty adds to a long list of pending projects in the neighbourhood. The Islamic cultural centre promises to be a catalyst with training and employment areas, but the shadow of political controversy threatens to delay it indefinitely. Meanwhile, Sanz is trying to navigate between legality and the pressure from his government partner, in a struggle that reminds us that, in Seville, even the most legal projects can end up in a drawer.
You may also like
