Muslim Tourists Scuffle With Police After Attempt To Pray In Former Mosque, Now A Cathedral

In Cordoba, Spain last Wednesday, security guards and police scuffled with a group of Muslim tourists from Austria who were visiting the Roman Catholic Mezquita Catedral-- a UNESCO World Heritage site. According to AP, the Great Mosque of Cordoba was built after the Moorish invasion of Spain in the 8th century, and the building was turned into a Catholic cathedral in 1236 when King Ferdinand captured Cordoba. Six or seven of the 120 Muslim tourists who entered the church began to pray. Security guards told them to stop, an argument ensued, and the National Police were called. Two of those praying got into a shoving match with officers and were arrested for disobeying and threatening law enforcement officers.