𝐊𝐲𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐒𝐨𝐨🫧🐠 :
An Islamic mosque in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, which was requested by the city to withdraw its application to use a municipal park, was granted permission on the 26th on the condition that worship (prayer) will not be conducted within the park.
The mosque accepted the city's request and decided to refrain from praying in the park. However, the mosque views this as a temporary measure and plans to continue requesting permission for worship purposes in the future.
According to the "Gyotoku Mosque" in Ichikawa City, since its establishment in 1997, it has used a portion of Minamioki Park in front of the mosque twice a year—for celebrations marking the end of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) and the Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha)—as a cultural exchange location to hold prayers and set up festival stalls.
This year, the mosque applied to use the park for the Feast of Sacrifice on the 27th, but on the 19th, the city requested the application be withdrawn. During subsequent discussions, the city permitted park usage but requested that group worship not be allowed.
The mosque was forced to remove "worship" from its scheduled activities in the park, resubmitted the application on the 26th, and received the city's approval. Worship on the day of the Feast of Sacrifice will take place inside the mosque rather than in the park.
According to the city's Park and Greenery Division, internal regulations dictate park usage criteria, prohibiting activities intended to promote political or religious beliefs or claims. Under these regulations, religious speeches and proselytizing in the park are not permitted, though worship itself had previously been deemed compliant.
An official from the Park and Greenery Division explained the reason for the request to the mosque: "The issue was not worship itself, but rather concerns and questions raised on social media and in the city council regarding group usage that monopolized the park by spreading plastic tarps (blue sheets). After re-evaluating internally, the department continued discussions with the mosque."
A representative executive of the mosque stated, "(Praying in the park) had been permitted until now, so it is regrettable and sadd
2026-10-17 11:12:39