Can Malta play a role?

The Middle East is a region with a rich history and cultural diversity. It has a population of roughly 190 million which accounts for about 2.9 per cent of the world's population. From a geo-political and geo-economical perspective, the Middle East is one of the most important regions in the world as it accounts for 60 per cent of the world's oil reserves. However, the Middle East is also a region characterised by acute political and military tension.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the violence in Iraq, the recent war in Lebanon and the controversy surrounding Iran's nuclear programme are only some of the issues which on a daily basis generate newspaper headlines. The complexities underlying the tension within this important region are difficult to comprehend without going back to its numerous origins.

At a recent public seminar organised by the Chevening Alumni Association of Malta, five dignitaries, knowledgeable in the fields of international relations and the history of the Middle East, analysed the historical, political and religious background to the friction in this region.

President Emeritus Professor Guido de Marco opened the seminar by providing a historical background to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He explained how sympathy for the Jews after the Second World War gave the international community the impetus to take the required action to give the Jewish people a country of their own. However, he also pointed out that apart from proposing the creation of a Jewish state, the 1947 United Nations partition plan also called for the creation of a Palestinian state.

Adel Bisthawi, a Palestinian historian, journalist and writer outlined the religious connections between the Jewish religion and Islam, in particular referring to Moses as an important religious figure for Muslims. He explained Islam as being a way of life for Muslims. When commenting on the tension between the Arabs and the Jews, Mr Bisthawi explained this as being a war of territory and disagreed with the view that this could be a religious conflict.

Ambassador George Saliba dealt with the Sunni and Shi´ia divide. He explained that, while the principles of Islam are common for both, the main difference between these two Muslim sects is in the practical aspect of their faith. Whereas Shi´ia Muslims have a religious hierarchy headed by a supreme Imam, who is considered to be a spiritual guide inheriting Muhammad's inspiration, Sunnis do not have a formal clergy, just scholars and jurists, who may only give non-binding opinions on aspects of Muslim faith.

Former Maltese Foreign Minister Alex Sceberras Trigona analysed the diplomatic aspect of the crisis in the Middle East. He opined that for a solution to be effective it must, among other things, have as its central pivot the human dimension of the people within this region. In this regard, he invited the audience to consider the Bertini Report which deals with the humanitarian needs arising from the ongoing Israeli- Palestinian conflict.

Dr Sceberras Trigona suggested that Malta, thanks to its geographical position and its policy of non-alignment, could result in an ideal environment for the organisation and holding of rapprochement meetings for the peoples of this region.

The British High Commissioner, Nick Archer closed the seminar by congratulating the Alumni for the initiative and by speaking on the role of European countries in the peace process. He expressed the view that, in contributing towards peace in the Middle East, the EU should act cautiously but persistently.

Unfortunately, the seminar lacked the input of the Maltese Jewish community whose representatives could not attend owing to the Holy Sabbath. Nonetheless, one of the leaders of the community, Shelley Tayar, provided the association with various articles on the subject which, together with other interesting material, will be made available upon a request addressed on the following e-mail address chevening_malta@yahoo.co.uk .

Hopefully this seminar will be the catalyst for further debate and will herald an era where Malta is considered as a forum for discussion and for the sharing of ideas and opinions on this topic. Only time will tell whether Malta can rise to this challenge.

Mr Buttigieg is a qualified accountant who holds a Masters in Financial Services from the University of Malta and a Masters in European Law and Society from the University of Sussex. He is currently the secretary general of the Chevening Alumni Association of Malta.