Muslims still praying for a place to pray

Muslims in Malta are still waiting for prayer venues to be regularised under Maltese law, giving them not only peace of mind about fulfilling their religious duties but also helping to keep any possible radicals at bay. Co-founder and Malta Muslim Council volunteer Bader Zina told this newspaper that while the Muslim community was grateful for the temporary provision of the Ospizio premises in Floriana, its hands were tied when it came to long-term community projects. Read: Muslim prayer centre denied, Pentecostal expected to be approved The community did not expect the government to provide it with spaces in which to pray, and for over 18 years had been trying to obtain permission for centrally located venues to hold prayers, Mr Zina added. Through the years, he continued, donations made by the congregation had been invested in planning applications, which were always turned down. Read: Church school offers facilities to Muslims; Council ‘wants no part of far-right, extreme protest’ The latest such refusals – in 2015 – saw the community being evicted from a building in Msida and denied a permit to change the use of a large garage in Santa Venera against the recommendation of a...