Assault on Malta's beautiful face

Three carefully calculated arson attacks within the space of one month. What has happened to Malta? Is this the new language one has to learn? The language of fear and intimidation? The language of smoke and burning tyres? What happened to the decent constructive dialogue? What happened to the rational interpretive skills and the pragmatic wisdom which are the legacy of humanistic education? It is very sad that to some people, decent debate, rational arguments and moral principles have been replaced by hateful and hideous pyromania and malicious burnings.

Given that all the targeted individuals are very well known in defending the rights of the misfortunate immigrants - some of them crushed to death under poverty - leaves no room for mistake: the xenophobic campaign in Malta has turned dangerously violent and unless the government and police take fast and concrete action to defuse the situation, incendiarism will continue and the worst might be yet to come.

It is a very big source of amazement how it never passed through the minds of those culprits that mounting their cowardly arson attacks on the properties of some of Malta's finest people, who are known for championing the rights of immigrants, will permanently weaken their claims and irreversibly damage their cause. Each time they strike in the darkness they only reveal their own weakness and simply give greatness, purity and strength to every sincere and honourable man and woman in this country who extend a helping hand to alleviate the human suffering of those deprived immigrants fleeing the ravages of wars and the greediness of capital.

The work being done by the Jesuit Refugee Service and by Dr Katherine Camilleri in particular - in whose profound, illuminating wisdom she and her wonderful colleagues at the Mediterranean Masters of Human Rights once immersed me - is vastly contributing to giving a shining and beautiful image to this country both locally and abroad. From this aspect I consider these ugly and shameful attacks as a brutal assault on the beautiful face of Malta.

Maltese society needs to beware these dark forces which threaten to choke the very things that make this country beautiful. The material loss can be restored but bruises on the face of Malta will remain.