Spain's Muslims Face Hurdles In Acquiring Land For Mosques

Muslims in Spain face a shortage of mosques, finding themselves instead praying in apartments, warehouses and garages. Today's New York Times says that while this situation is due in part to lack of resources in the rapidly growing immigrant Muslim community, it is also because several local governments have blocked Muslims from acquiring land on which to build worship sites. Muslim leaders say the situation hinders integration of Muslims. However the situation may be improving as the town of Lleida has granted a 50-year lease on a piece of government land so the local Islamic Association can break ground for a mosque. Other cities may follow suit, and a bill has been introduced in the regional Parliament in Catalonia to require local governments to set aside land for mosques and other places of worship.