Ghanaian proud to be Maltese
Ghanaian-Maltese Ahmed Bugri, who has lived on the island for 18 years, is often confused with an illegal immigrant, but he is proud to be Maltese and takes the insults in his stride, even though the labels hurt.
As pastor and coordinator of the Marsa Open Centre, he believes he can be a bridge between Maltese and Africans, even though this can have its consequences.
“The Africans expect too much while the Maltese expect me not to take the African side,” the father of three and law student says.
He explains that Marsa can be a shock for people, but a comfort for others, especially those immigrants who face persecution and seek solace behind the centre’s walls.
“Some immigrants face hostility, not from everybody because there are many Maltese who are generous... but then you have the few who pass by and spray pepper spray in immigrants’ eyes,” he adds.
Mr Bugri is in the unusual position of understanding the psyche of both Maltese and African communities and in an interview with Ariadne Massa he attempts to give a clearer picture of migration in Malta and the cultural differences that can lead to misunderstandings.
He points out that the death of Sudanese immigrant Suleiman Ismail Abubaker in a Paceville brawl brought several issues to the fore and forced migrants and Maltese alike to rethink their stance.
However, he is disappointed that far-right Imperium Europa leader Norman Lowell was allowed to contest the European Parliament election: “I think that was a blow.”
Watch excerpts of the interview above. Read the entire interview in today’s edition of The Sunday Times.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090628/interview/im-black-and-i-am-maltese
98 Comments
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Marianna Galea Xuereb
Jul 21st 2009, 19:40
@ Christine Xuereb
“THANK GOD my grandfather was welcomed as an immigrant in Canada......for now I can say ' I am proud to be a Canadian' and was never criticised by Canadians for saying this . Ahmed Bugri has all the right to say this too”
Is this really an appropriate comparison Ms. Xuereb? The Canadians had every good reason to welcome your grandfather because (back then at least) Canada had no overpopulation problems and (presumably) your grandfather was a regular immigrant and not an unwanted, illegal one. Conversely Mr. Bugri is effectively defending illegal immigrants to an already grossly over-populated country i.e. Malta. How can one claim to be “proud to be Maltese” and at the same time justify acts against the interests of the traditional, real Maltese natives?
Christine Xuereb
Jul 18th 2009, 22:16
THANK GOD my grandfather was welcomed as an immigrant in Canada......for now I can say ' I am proud to be a Canadian' and was never criticised by Canadians for saying this . Ahmed Bugri has all the right to say this too.
Marianna Galea Xuereb
Jul 18th 2009, 19:39
@ Mark-Anthony Fenech
Mr. Bugri you might have a legal Maltese passport and even voting rights but that still does not make you MALTESE in our eyes. You were not born and brought up in the Maltese Islands and neither were any of your ancestors. Neither you nor any of your ancestors ever had to fight any wars to defend Malta and the Maltese against invasion and/or oppression by inappropriate rulers. You clearly have no respect for us true Maltese if you protect illegal immigrants and try to interfere with our laws, culture and with who should or should not be allowed to stand for the EU election as a potential Maltese representative in the EU Parliament. True Maltese are those who work hard to protect the interests of the Maltese; who strive to maintain the Maltese resident population within sustainable limits; who promote a culture that educates and legislates against air/water/noise/light/chemical/electromagnetic pollution; who try to protect the natural environment of the Maltese islands and territorial waters….
Personally I believe that children born in Malta to illegal immigrants should not be granted automatic Maltese citizenship either
Mark-Anthony Fenech
Jul 17th 2009, 18:22
Can anyone tell me what defines a Maltese citizen? If someone of African parentage is born in Malta what then? Or someone of Maltese parentage born in a foreign country?
Raymond Sammut
Jul 12th 2009, 18:25
@ Graham Crocker
Your You Tube reference has got nothing to do with blacks or whites, and definitely nothing to do with illegal immigration in Malta. The presence of thousands of unlawful entrants in Malta is a very serious and an ongoing burden to the Maltese government, and is in no way related to anti-Jewish satirical videos.
Graham Crocker
Jul 12th 2009, 13:15
M Gauci, do you mean the Maltese singing along to one of his songs? Yes I can see that happening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb3IMTJjzfo&feature=related - "In my country there is problem and that problem is the blacks.. they take everybody money...they don't give it back...throw the black in the sea... so my country can be free"
Raymond Sammut
Jul 8th 2009, 20:46
@ Adrian Camilleri
May I suggest a little reading on the works of philologist Johann Gottfried Herder. This scholar, very much like Dun Karm Psaila, urged his countrymen to speak German so they may know they are German. We know we are Maltese most of all because of our tongue; the only Semitic language in Europe and boasting a richness in poetry. It shares a great deal of its vernacular with that of the Lebanese today -- owing to its Phoenician origins. "Malta" is itself a Phoenician word, one of the few in Europe which does not end with "-ia" or "-land".
Australians, for example, started to identify themselves as "Australian" following their experience in the Gallipoli campaign. It lasted less than a year and less than 10,000 Australian comrades lost their lives. Compare that with what the Maltese have experienced and survived: (1) Berber attacks (Furbani) form Algeria (2) Ottoman invasions (Torok) from Turkey and more recently (3) the French occupation. We do not even have counts of how many Maltese men and women were killed or taken as slaves. Above all, 160 years of British colonialism strengthened the Maltese language even further rather than weakened it.
M Gauci
Jul 1st 2009, 00:17
If only Sacha Baron Cohen knew about Malta yet... it's prime location for the next edition of Borat... and Bruno of course!
I. Galea
Jun 30th 2009, 23:32
after reading the comments under this article and so many other articles on the Times, i suddenly don't like being Maltese anymore. Mr. Bugri, I would think twice about being so proud to be part of this selfish, racist, hypocritical nation. I think i've had enough of this country.
A. Muscat
Jun 30th 2009, 23:05
@ Czarb
Were we terrorists?
‘Regarding politics, democracy allows everyone to take part in any elections. For example in certain countries, terrorist groups such as Hamas ended up in government (with the blessing of groups such as the UN).’
------------------------
Some powerful media resources portrayed HAMAS (before not long ago it was all the Palestinians) as ‘terrorist’ – Admitting that means, we Maltese were terrorists when defending our land from the Turks, so, were the Germans, French and Americans…etc. Portraying your enemy as the biggest EVIL on earth is the old fashion psychological technique of wars. Always depend on which side of the fence one stands. Conclusion: If you don’t bend over to USA you are a ‘terrorist ‘
If you don’t vote for what the elite wants you are ignored. What about the Irish ‘NO’ to Lisbon treaty?. If this is the type of democracy you believe in, then good bye democracy.
Mark Aloisio
Jun 30th 2009, 17:52
Rita Camilleri: it's interesting that while Mr. Bugri sees himself as Maltese because of his active participation in the social life of his adopted country, your comment is based entirely on a superficial comparison between yourself and a film star.
Guido Farrugia
Jun 30th 2009, 17:03
Now Mr. Bugri tells us who can candidate for the EP elections. How can anyone be Ghanaian Maltese? He even dares mention names on whom should'nt contest elections. Hallina. This was predicted years back, now it's happening, watch out mates we're loosing the island
Ronald Zarb
Jun 30th 2009, 16:59
Jamie Pace asked, "What if a Maltese obtain an American citezenship, does that make him an American?" then answers, "No."
I am a born Maltese who emigrated to America and became an American. I served in the American navy and fought in Vietnam, landed in Lebanon with the marines and flew missions over Cuba during the missle crises. You are wrong Jamie. I am an American, and I am proud of it. The only people in America who could claim to be native are the American Indians, all others are emmigrants.
By the way, i am also a proud Maltese citizen who love Malta just as much as I love America. My father and his fathers' fought and some died for our Malta, just like I would be willing to do.
Rita Camilleri
Jun 30th 2009, 15:58
If Mr. Bugri is Maltese then I am Monica Bellucci.... (wishful thinking!!! on my part)
Mark Galea
Jun 30th 2009, 14:56
@All
I understand the frustration of some people that since there were no landing of immigrants recently, they must vent their xenophobic anger on something (bad luck there is no open hunting season - else the birds would have got it).
John Borg
Jun 30th 2009, 14:25
These comments are great. I was starting to feel sad at the end of my two weeks here visiting family. After reading these comments I will feel relieved to get into my plane back to the UK.
Adrian Camilleri
Jun 30th 2009, 12:17
Can any of you Christian people explain to me what makes one "Maltese"?
Raymond Calleja
Jun 30th 2009, 10:06
Sur Abela,
Are you in malta at the moment?? If you are then you should go back to the states.You should be ashamed by saying that you are american and not Maltese.Mr byrgi is not Maltese at all he is just living in Malta and that's it.
Czarb
Jun 30th 2009, 06:44
Mr Bugri should understand that you cant ask a former colony like Malta to pay the consequences of decades of bad management done by certain African governments (which had triggered illegal immigration), expecially considering our lack of space and resources.
This 'negative attitude' is felt in nearly all European countries whom unlike Malta has a big debt to pay towards these African countries. The only difference is that the former colonisers can afford hiding behind political treaties meant to keep immigrants at the EU borders, while we cant do that. It is also felt in former colonies with a long history of fighting racism. Take South Africa for example were immigrants were treated much worse then they were treated in Malta
Regarding politics, democracy allows everyone to take part in any elections. For example in certain countries, terrorist groups such as Hamas ended up in government (with the blessing of groups such as the UN). If a person (any person) can't grip the concept of democracy and the right for anyone to take part in any election than his place is not in a democratic country.
B Agius
Jun 30th 2009, 01:14
The spewing of hatred/xenophobia/fear of some Maltese knows no bounds. Unfortunately it's a product of being caught in a tiny island etc but clearly the tiniest part of it is the brain! This, I am sure, is also contributing to Malta being, in reality, held back economically and socially while its politicians strut the bigger stage pretending Malta is some advanced European Nation. The majority of Maltese still behave as Neanderthals unfortunately - and the more fear is generated, some for local partisan political purposes, the more SOME will react in such a way as to say things like "true Maltese" etc etc Many mixed families and their children will be hurt by such comments - no wonder many of them say "who wants to be Maltese anyway?"
cecil herbert jones
Jun 30th 2009, 00:20
It seems not one single person is thinking straight on this issue. Whether or not Mr Bugri is Maltese or not just because he has citizenship is immaterial. Pity he can't play football at Premier league, we wouldn't mind him donning our national tee-shirt and represent us internationally. Of course all the fuss is because he is a manager of the Marsa open centre, doing a job no Maltese can or is willing to do. And he does it really well.
As for contesting the elections or as for him voicing his opinion on the way Malta conducts the elections , you have to decide whether he wants to first, and secondly you have to decide whether freedom of speech is for everyone or just the maltese, or should I say the white maltese. Make up your minds because this is just confusing the issue. Let me know what you decide, and I can tell you if I agree with you. You know my opinion. We should give amnesty to the migrants who qualify for it and we should help them integrate into a European lifestyle before they leave for mainland Europe.
T.Gauci
Jun 29th 2009, 21:07
@Simon Abela
You are not an American, you can claim you are but the fact is that, you are not eligible to contest for US presidency. too much pride for being American eh ?
@margaret richards
Dear margaret, Imperium Europa had the right to contest for the MEP elections because this is a free country not a communist country. it seems freedom doesn't go down well with you and i would like if you stop calling us Christians because i am not affiliated with any religion.
margaret richards
Jun 29th 2009, 20:07
I'm ashamed to be living in such an extremely christian country with such racist and xenophobic tendencies. What has Mr. Bugri said does not go down well with some of our dear christian bloggers it seems..........because he hit the nail on the head about some vital aspects - last but not least the go-ahead to Imperium Europa to contest mep elections. Thank God they were not elected.
Simon Abela
Jun 29th 2009, 19:22
Sur Guaci . I am proud to be American and even if you emigrate to the US you have the right to vote, buy a house and buy land and freedom of speech not like in Malta. Now let em remind you that America gave me the oportunity that Malta never gave me and for your information Mr Burgiss is Maltese because he earned it. There is a lot of talented people, but you have no respect for such people, they leave the island. with your attidude Malta would have gremxul u wirdien to manage not people. Why dont you help your Gov. to cut down on the illegals instead of the ones that earn to be Maltese. don discriminate becuase he is Black!!
MVella
Jun 29th 2009, 18:07
@Joseph Cachia ... and 'proudness' is spelt P, R, I, D, E. @Malcolm Seychell Why don't you go ahead, live, learn, mingle and serve the country and people of China for 15 years, then you can talk.
T.Gauci
Jun 29th 2009, 17:58
@Mario Farrugia,Michael Andrews, He has the right to call himself a Maltese, but the fact is that he is not a Maltese. I was born in Malta and was born into Maltese parents and PROUD to be a NATIVE Maltese, I will always be a Maltese even if i were to obtain a foreign citizenship. @C Cassar i am just stating the facts @Liam Kelly yes you do have just as many rights as a Maltese, but you are not a Maltese. did i forget to say that we being a native Maltese have the right to be conservatives as much as you have the right to be a foreigner liberal ? @louis Zammit if you have a Russian Citizenship does that mean you are automatically a Russian just because you feel being a Russian ? let's not reasoning like kids @Valent Vella you're still a Maltese. you can never be a native American unless your parents are Americans. you said it yourself that you immigrated. someone who born outside the US is not eligible to be president of the US.
Raymond Sammut
Jun 29th 2009, 17:27
Technically, Mr Bugri is a Maltese person. What he cannot say is that he is an indigenous Maltese. For example, in Australia presently there are now some 21 million. Only half a million of these are indigenous; the rest are just extra-australis -- blacks, yellows, and whites alike.
malcolm seychell
Jun 29th 2009, 16:17
If I go to live in China for the next 15 years does it make me Chinese?
No I will still be a Maltese and the same applies to Mr BugriIt i
It is a shame that an immigrant (legal or illegal ) tries to dictate who shall contest an election or no in our country.
Valent Vella
Jun 29th 2009, 13:51
was born in Malta 72 years ago and lived there for 15 years. I emigrated to US and eventually became an American
citizen....By your reasoning (Ghanaian proud to be Maltese ) I am not American???
I can see that Malta is having a "refugee" problem but taking your frustrations on Mr. Bugri or the illegal immigrants
is not going to solve your problem.
The comments I read were, for the most part, very racist. and I feel ashamed to say that I was born in your country.
Mr. Bugri keep up the Good work perhaps some day one of your sons will become the prime ministers of Malta.
Mr. Bugri you are Maltese.
Valent
Liam Kelly
Jun 29th 2009, 12:16
@ lgalea,
If Mr Bugri, like myself and Mr Hamilton have lived long enough on this island to obtain a passport, ID card and the right to vote, put up with the xenaphobic attitudes, the constant moaning about politics, blaming gonzi for things which are your own fault, speed cameras and traffic wardens yet still have enough love and pride in our island to call ourselves Maltese then i think we deserve to be respected
louis Zammit
Jun 29th 2009, 11:04
READING some of the comments that people have writen make me ASHAMED that im Maltese......... u are MALTESE as much as u want to be and NOBODY can DENY it to U if u FEEL MALTESE than u are maltese ur passport is the ENTRY TO MALTA do be Maltese and to act as a Maltese u can VOTE u can OPEN UR MOUTH ....just becaues ur black or african does not make u inferior than a maltese ...after all we are so proud of being maltese ...with the Maltese language ,an ARABIC language, we shoud be a more understanding people......oh i forgot we are CATHOLICS OF FESTAS......
S Briffa
Jun 29th 2009, 10:57
I bet many who made their deeply Chirsitan comments down here then went to Mass and received communion on the occasion of the feast of St Peter and St Paul. I'm sure these latter two, of Middle Eastern extraction by the way, will have been proud of their Malta Cattolicissima. L-aqwa li issa jigi l-Papa s-sena d-diehla u tghidx kemm immorru nxejrulu l-imkatar bojod u sofor u nghidulu kemm ahna Kristjani u kemm tahraqna qalbna ghall-proxxmu. Bigots, anyone?
Robert Callus
Jun 29th 2009, 10:23
Despite being born in Malta from Maltese parents, grand parens and great-grandparents, if it is in our blood to be vicious racists as some people's comments show, I'd like to distance myself from them. I neither have not want that kind of blood.
Having said that, I don't think most Maltese are racist. Many are just worried about illegal immigration. THen there are the racists, who for visciousness or political opportunism blow the issue out of proportion and scare the rest
Topa Zapo
Jun 29th 2009, 09:44
@ comments on sweden. I am born maltese have been living in sweden for the past 30 years.when I came here all doors opened for me and I have always felt welcome and secure in this country.It´s naturally that after many years living here I too feel like a swede because I took the Swedish culture and traditions and live by the swedish law. In my heart and soul I will always be maltese u ghadni naf nikteb u naqra u nitkellem bil-malti. Il-lingwa ma ninsija qatt! sweden have always let immigrants come in this country, in the 60´s and 70´s mainly for work as they needed people to do jobs the swedes hated.Later on they took in refugees because sweden is for humanity.I have studied here and I have a great life but now many swedes wish that the swedish government close the boarders because there is lots of unemployment and people get angry and frustrated when they see refugees living on welfare be given apartments and complaining on how cold it is in sweden. We wonder why they came here after all sweden is in scandinavia yes in winter it´s very cold!!
Michael Andrews
Jun 29th 2009, 09:16
@ T Gauchi. The guy is a Maltese citizen now and has the right to call himself maltese if he wishes.He also has all the rights you have like voting and freedom of speech.He has opinions aand is allowed to express them.
@Joseph Psilia.... Well said my friend. When there is money involved there is no better friend than a Maltese.
Mario Farrugia
Jun 29th 2009, 07:00
@T.Gauci
You are mistaken. If you or anyone were to obtain US citizenship through naturalization, you enjoy the same rights as any US citizen who derived his/her citizenship by virtue of birth on US soil.
Also, please note that there is no 'pure' Maltese (or any other) race - the Maltese people today are the result of centuries of genetic mingling.
Simon Abela
Jun 29th 2009, 02:52
I am sorry to see that the Maltese are so racist. I am proud to be born in Malta, and Yes i call myself American now, not Maltese. However I must say that the Maltese have to make sure that these people do not change the laws of the land like its happening here with the illegals. I see a similar situation between the Texas, Florda, and Malta its too bad to see both countries that i love going down the tubes because of our own stupid laws.
Kaydee Zammit
Jun 29th 2009, 01:48
@ Liam Kelly
Funny. I too am from Birzebbugia and catch the local bus at least twice a day, and yet I have never yet watched a driver complaining because they give him too much money. On the contrary, almost on every bus I catch there seems to be a clown present who refuses to pay or gives less money than the fare expected. So forgive me if I don't believe your claims!
C Cassar
Jun 28th 2009, 23:55
To all those who are saying "He can never be Maltese" ... what an awful, un-Christian thing to say.
T Gauci: "what if i as a Maltese obtain an American citizenship, does that make me an American ? no." As a matter of fact yes it would, and this should put you to shame.
For the record, a foreigner who legally obtains Maltese citizenship is thereby entitled, by our very own constitution, not to be discriminated against.
This has nothing to do with illegal immigration. Being anti-discrimination does not mean being pro-illegal immigration, however much all the racists who are coming out of the woodwork like to bundle the two things up together.
Paula Meli
Jun 28th 2009, 23:16
It saddens me to think of the reality in Malta... Yes we Maltese are racists and to be honest I have no idea why. It is not as if we have such a money flow income on the island. I am a Maltese married to a German and today I thank god that I changed my nationality because Maltese are KNOWN to be double faced. They go to Mass, smile and inside they curse one an other. Its about time for Maltese to wake up and start living a Godful life because at this rate Malta will be the first island to burn in hell.
Charles Sammut
Jun 28th 2009, 22:57
Mr Bugri mentions that someone sprayed pepper spray in the eyes of some immigrants. This is the first time I heard about it and it should be condemned.
But not one do-gooder condemned the rape and robbery of a Japanese student and in another case a French student (both males) by residents of the Marsa open centre. Both crimes originated in Paceville establishments where the perpetrators gained the confidence of their victims. The Japanese student was then invited to go to Marsa and raped by two Africans and the French student was lured on the rocky beach at Dragonara and gang raped there. Those are just 2 of many more similar incidents. Of course these do not count as a racist attack because the victims were not black.
And our friend Mr Bugri is surprised that Africans are not welcome in Paceville.
joseph cachia
Jun 28th 2009, 22:49
Jamie Vella.
Thallatx il hass mal bass.
Burgi twieled Ghana min demm Afrikan, ghalhekk QATT ma jista jigi rikonoxxut MALTI.
MALTI hi dik il persuna li titwieled minn demm MALTI f'kull rokna tad-dinja, anke jekk f'mitt
sena qatt ma rifes/rifset fuq il gebla MALTIJA.
Cittidanza ma tbiddilx id-demm.
Li-zball dwar Burgi u kull persuna ohra li mhix demm MALTI, li thalliet taghabita jew
jnatalhom xi permess biex jabitaw f'MALTA huwa zball kbir tal GVERN.
Burgi qieghed jghix f'HOLMA , johlom li huwa MALTI. HIS PROUDNESS IS SMOKE w / out FIRE.
Sahha J.Cachia
T.Gauci
Jun 28th 2009, 22:24
@jamie pace
he can't be a Maltese. he was not born in Malta and was not born into a Maltese family, so therefore he is not a native Maltese. just because he had obtained a Maltese citizenship it doesn't make him a native Maltese. what if i as a Maltese obtain an American citizenship, does that make me an American ? no.
Raymond Sammut
Jun 28th 2009, 22:03
@ Michelle Dali
Mr Bugri should acknowledge the fact that these people entered our country illegally. This is not immigration, this is illegal immigration.
Mark Galea
Jun 28th 2009, 21:46
@lgalea
Interesting. We should make you director for the centre.
Michelle Dali
Jun 28th 2009, 21:16
In this video Mr Bugri seems like a level headed and reasonable man. However, I have not yet watched the other interview mentioned in one of the comments below and I will do so with interest. I would just like to remind him to keep things in perspective and realise that racist incidents such as the ones he mentioned happen everywhere, not only in Malta. There is much racism in Africa itself - racism of a horrific nature - the genocide in Rwanda in 1994 to name but one example. By the way, I am not condoning racism, far from it.
Generally speaking, the Maltese are not racist by nature and never have been. However, one must remember that when a small country like ours is experiencing a huge, never ending influx of illegal immigrants such as no other country has ever experienced before, people are bound to be concerned and to feel threatened. The fear of being overwhelmed is understandable and Mr Bugri should acknowledge this fact.
jamie pace
Jun 28th 2009, 20:47
@louise vella and lgalea....its of no news to us all that if jesus were to ressurect again,and happens to have a black skin you ll both be the first ones to call for him to be crucified for being black.... am sure u both have children...and I hope they all read your numerous comments on this blog....I pray they wont grow up to be like you both....to those who commented that Mr Ahmed bugri can never be maltese for having lived here for so many years, you crack me up,am sure alot of u do have families who migrated to australia some years back and are now australian citizens....I bet you will be able to tell them to their faces that can never be australians no matter how long they have lived there....
Miss Debbie Richmond @@
Jun 28th 2009, 19:55
Please correct me if i'm wrong, my sixth sense tells me that the people with a certain xenophobic views are the once that have actually lived abroad, say places like Australia, the UK and other adopted countries, and are actually reversing the process, because i think indirectly or directly they were also victims of such xenophobic victims themselves so now back in their own countries the mind tend to reverse the whole process of their past experiences and do like wise so some unfortunate visitors from say in this case N.Africa. am i correct?
steve elliott,uk
Jun 28th 2009, 19:45
Ive just watched the first 18 seconds and to me that's enough. He said it all. Quote , " I'm an African" There you have it, he is not Maltese and never can or will be
Raymond Sammut
Jun 28th 2009, 19:40
@ Joseph Psilia
You have surely come out to challenge the Maltese. Is yours a high life? And which part of the earth do you "shuffle", Mr Psilia?
Charles Sammut
Jun 28th 2009, 19:37
@ Moses Mula
It seems that you do not follow what happens in Sweden.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Evo66rwK3zY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Evo66rwK3zY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ6VI_bc1j4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlSnKDdEqOU
http://www.thelocal.se/18356/20090320/
Plenty more where those came from. All these are very recent events.
Go ask Swedes who have fled Sweden and retired in Malta if you want to get the raw truth.
Do we have to wait till Malta is also in this predicament?
Sandro Pace
Jun 28th 2009, 19:28
If the same situation happened in reverse, does anyone have doubts what the reactions of the Ghanians would be to the 'european' invasion? Local and international NGOs would accuse of interference in African demographics, and disturbing them.
Do we not have a reciprocal right to our preservation? It is a question of numbers. Had there been no massive immigration, no one would have minded about him.
Once he ventured into political issues, where does Mr. Bugri espresses the fact that this is unsustainable to Malta and the Maltese (he claims to be)? Or his interest is seeing this community grow?
R.Caruana
Jun 28th 2009, 19:14
@c. camilleri
Except for the number Mr.Bugri & my son have the identical document, are you implying then implying the same for my son!? How dare you!?
I can understand those of xenophobic sentiments, yes to some extent they are a logical reaction to situations we have limited control & I have no trouble saying I do get them too, it's all over Europe at the moment & it's also affecting job mobility in Europe as well, but please let's keep ourselves objective & address our concerns & frustrations towards those who have a real say in the matter properly.
Muscat.Pat
Jun 28th 2009, 19:09
If Mr Bugri is married to a Maltese and has a Maltese passport and has been here for the last 20 years he is Maltese as much as everyone else! He has a right to say what he wants because this is a free country. he has integrated and that the end of the story. As with illegal immigrants we are FULL UP and have no room for them.
c. camilleri
Jun 28th 2009, 18:35
He can never become Maltese. He only obtained Maltese Citizenship.
Moses Mula
Jun 28th 2009, 18:12
@Charles Sammut, its my personal experience in these last ten years against a youtube clip from Malmö from a few years ago which by the way was an isolated incident. I rest my case.
@Jim Hamilton, I understand what you are saying and it hurts me as well as a Maltese citizen when I read some comments here.
@Igalea, are you like best buddy with Mr. Lowell? Is one betraying his country because he is disgusted by comments like yours? Well, I do rather betray my country than support your views.
lgalea
Jun 28th 2009, 17:42
Charles Sammut
And he says he is married and he has three children.
He may have been granted a passport but he can never be Maltese.
John Pisan
Totally agree with you.
Louis Gialanze
You means thousands of euros for illegal immigrants to let water running continuously and electricity on because we are paying for it.
B Agius
How can people take it any longer seeing the thousands of illegal immigrants being allowed to remain here while we pay for everything they need while stealing work from Maltese workers and families? They MUST be ALL EXPELLED.
Moses Mula etc
You are wrong Mula. We demand the EXPULSION of all ILLEGAL immigrants, including those who overstay their visa. And NO we do not consider him as a Maltese citizen. His postings and the interview he gave to the German magazine clearly shows where his allegiance lies. You can call us what you like because it doesn't make the slightest difference to us who are defending OUR country against this illegal immigrants INVASION.
Mark Galea
How about opening one for people who betray their country by supporting illegal immigrants?
Jim Hamilton
Jun 28th 2009, 17:28
adopted Maltese nationality many years ago when the good people of these islands made you feel welcome....... I am by birth a Brit /Scot
But it now seems that times have changed.
Reading the comments below I get the impression that I've made the wrong decision by settling here...........My crime is that I'm not a bona-fide Maltese, (I guess that coming from the far north I'm probably not dark enough, so I could never be considered Maltese ).
According to LGalea and others, I shouldn't be allowed to interfere in Maltese internal affairs, although I have been paying taxes for nearly forty years. I would have thought that should by all accounts, allow me a say in the matter.
Unfortunately, some people are so xenophobic in their attitude that if you are not a true born and bred Maltese then you shouldn't have a voice on how this country is run.
So where does that leave Mr Bugri and the many others like myself?
Well you could say that we are definitely not welcome here, it seems a case off, keep on paying your dues, but keep your mouth shut.
Martin Cassar
Jun 28th 2009, 17:22
@Tony Caruana
‘Ahmed Bugri remember even if you lived in Malta for a Hundred years You will NEVER be Maltese. ‘
@Malu Rosso
‘Mr. Bugri you might have a Maltese passport but that does not make you MALTESE.’
This is exactly what I have been saying too. Being a member of the EU doesn’t make us European.
pcallus
Jun 28th 2009, 17:06
Mr Ahmed Bugri's remarks on the importance of debate whether positive or negative on the issue of migration and the onset of racism is a refreshing much needed voice of reason. It is a shame that not withstanding some of the horrific accounts (which in any developed country would be simply an unacceptable state of affairs) people seem to feel that they are justified in their condemnation of these people - see some of the remarks below.
If only these locals would spend their mispent energies on chasing up their local MEPs and confronting them with the same viceral disgust, instead of moaning about people who have little choice but to look to survive. Your local MEPs on the otherhand earn a disproportionately high salary (compared to local earnings), and are the only people who can actively do something to change the situation, and look for adequate solutions for ALL parties involved.
Joseph Psilia
Jun 28th 2009, 16:46
Goodness me, the lowlife of Malta come out to challenge the immigrant who is proud to be Maltese.
Just how Maltese do you Maltese think you are? You have Arabic skin tones and language, Italian and French names, British style parliament, a Hebrew's religion (which you don't practice)... The traditions and pastimes you think are your own are all imported. When will you realise that humans are humans, no matter where they come from? And no-one owns the land, you just temporarily live there before you shuffle off this earth.
I'm sure most of you would refuse to believe that we all came out of Africa.
You always talk about how friendly and hospitable you are, and I've yet to see you being that way toward people unless there's money in their pockets for you.
Robert Callus
Jun 28th 2009, 16:42
@Liam Kelly
I am a regular bus user and can confirm what you say. There was an incident where an African (don't know his status or country, I'm assuming cause he's black and speaks with Arabic accent) started creating trouble for a very minor provocation.
However, I've witnessed much more abuse ON Africans. From offending a person, not stop the bus so that he climbs up where he was definitely visible, beating a person and even telling him the bus doesn't go to the destination he asked for when it wasn't true (I was going to the same destination).
Apart from citizens, there are many black people who are not migrants, but students, tourists and a friend of mine who was doing voluntary work. He had to leave back to France before his term expired due to the racism he suffered here. Despite his nice personality, and having many Maltese friends, he was victim of a lot of abuse, especially on buses. Once we travelled together. Coming back, he was the only black person on the plane. He was also the only person who was strip searched and 'interrogated' for a whole hour, though he is a law abiding person.
Lowra Xerri
Jun 28th 2009, 16:42
Myself as a true Maltese and a patriot i would rather have 10 well mannered and educated Black people then a bunch of British moaners who come here and think they still think we are a load of idiots or as i heared some saying recently that we are still backwards and ill mannered. Full Stop.
John Pisan
Jun 28th 2009, 16:32
This is the same Ahmed Bugri (or Bugre) whom last year gave an interview to the German magazine 'Neus Deutchland' in which he accuded the Maltese people of being racist with the Maltese politicians leading the way. He also was quoted that the Maltese Church has a say in all this but the top ranks at the Church do not want to clash with the Government.
Well, well, well so this 'Ghanaian is proud to be Maltese'...... with friends like Ahmed Bugre who needs enemies????
David Grech
Jun 28th 2009, 16:27
In Malta, people still speak of the North-South divide; does it come as a surprise that we don't accept foreigners all that easily?
Charles Sammut
Jun 28th 2009, 16:26
@ B Agius
How can you compare Malta to Australia? Australia is the second least populated country on the planet with less than 3 persons/ sq km (2.7) while Malta is nudging 1300/sq km! Yet the Australian government cares enough about the country to enforce very strict immigration policies.
@ Moses Mula
Let me correct you. It was the Swedes who integrated with the immigrants in Sweden and not the other way round. A cursory search on Google and youtube will bear this out and more. Sweden is now paying the social price for this tolerance.
Mr Bugri claims that he came to Malta at the invitation of some Catholic organisation. He claims to be Christian but isn't Ahmed a strange name to give to a Christian? You can hardly find a more muslim name than that. I'm sure there is a logical explanation which I'm all agog to learn.
Louis Gialanze
Jun 28th 2009, 15:51
Mr Bugri perhaps you can also let us know who pays for the water and electricity consumption at the marsa open centre. In case you have difficulty coming up with your answer let me spell it out to the readers. It's us maltese taxpayers. Yes it's us maltese citizens who have to fork out hundreds of euros in utility bills on regular basis whilst these people consume for free.
B Agius
Jun 28th 2009, 14:30
@ Mike Borg - where did you get the idea that Australia sends immigrants back? Australia is one of the main countries of the world where many many migrants, black, pale or brindle, settle. Yes Australia has a fairly stringent program for those that come illegally but once they are accepted as refugees they are generally very well welcomed and live in the wider Australian society very well. But apart from this system Australia accepts thousands of refugees from around the world. You cannot, however , compare Australia's capacities to those of Malta. However the hate some Maltese show towards others is a very worrying trend. It hurts Maltese Society in the long run. Malta needs to find a solution to the real problem it has - however hate of others on a National scale is not a solution. It's good to see that this African-Maltese raises the average bar of many things that exist in Malta. As some said, Maltese have a lot to learn and they have a lot to learn from this guy too.
GF Cortini
Jun 28th 2009, 14:17
To all these people barking that he's not Maltese - I can understand your point (jus soli vs jus sanguinis) but if the same logic had to be applied accross the board, practically none of us would be considered REAL Maltese (a cursory glance at the surnames in our telephone directory will reveal that we are nearly ALL of foreign ancestry - most of our forefathers were Italian/Sicilian, North African and from other places in the Mediterranean and the UK).
Min m'ghandux "dnub'' jixhet l-ewwel gebla...
Joanne Micallef
Jun 28th 2009, 14:14
The usual diplomatic answers given to the local media, from the link Mr David Muscat posted though, we can verify exactly where Mr Burgi's loyalties lie. If he was a true Native he would show concern for the future of this Nation if we are to continue on this path, he would also acknowledge that Malta with all it's problems and limitations is doing all it can.
J Farrugia
Jun 28th 2009, 14:04
Hi mister, you may have lived 20 years in our islands but the thing remains that you are not a Malteser. Your first allegiance is to your country of birth before anything else,. You cannot feel what we the maltese people feel. So do not try to pontificate to us. We never pontificated to you and your countrymen what to do what to think or what to eat. Be happy and thank God that you are in our country Malta. Which gave you hospitality and its citizenship without even taking an oath of allegiance to our country. enough said.
T.Gauci
Jun 28th 2009, 13:42
"However, he is disappointed that far-right Imperium Europa leader Norman Lowell was allowed to contest the European Parliament election: “I think that was a blow.”
is this country turning into a communist country where someone dictates other people what to do and what not ? let me use the same logic as these immigrants use, that is racism against the Maltese.
Joseph Sammut
Jun 28th 2009, 13:35
Mr Bugri is Maltese ,Don`t make me Laugh
Moses Mula
Jun 28th 2009, 13:09
@Louise Vella, Igalea
Ahmed has been living in Malta for the past 18 years and is a Maltese citizen but you still regard him as an inferior citizen to you. If he was a white European you would not have the same views. You are really sad people. And then you get annoyed if you are called racists. But what can I call you when your extreme views are so clear in your comments? You say you love your country so much but all you are doing is damaging your country. The only consolation is that whatever you and a few others might think, multiculturalism is and always will be with us and thankfully so.
@Maria Falzon, I live in Sweden and all the Africans I know, and that is a lot, live a normal life and have or had no problem integrating with the Swedes. So before you start typing try to get your facts right because there is nothing more annoying than making statements which have no base.
David Muscat
Jun 28th 2009, 12:56
@M. Aquilina
If Mr Bugre is representing us abroad I would rather he didn't. In an article on Neus Deutschland (16 September) he called us racist with politicians in particular. “Iva u l-politiċi Maltin huma fuq ta’ quddiem.” He also said that it has become common for up to 10 corpses being washed ashore every day. He also gave his opinion on the detention centres the AFM , church etc. They weren't very complimentary and in some cases were exaggerated and even untrue. See the artcle here:http://www.l-orizzont.com/news.asp?newsitemid=47574 As I said I would rather he did not represent me.
I cannot understand how he is proud to be Maltese after reading what he had to say about us, I really can't.
Graham Crocker
Jun 28th 2009, 12:46
I agree with Mark Galea.
Mr Bugri, came here as a legitimate immigrant and he is a Maltese citizen. I'd rather more people were like him: smart, open-minded and kind. Instead we've got a bunch inquisitors and peasants crying for Grandmaster Pinto to wake from the dead and dispel this invasion with his 8 pointed wand.
Liam Kelly
Jun 28th 2009, 12:36
@ Louise Vella
I'd love to know what bus you saw that incident on.
I live in B'bugia and use the bus very often (unfortunately); and the only problem i see immigrants giving the drivers is the fact that they give them too much money and the driver complains that he has to count the change. Infact there have been several occasions when immigrants whom i used to work with have demanded to pay MY fare on the bus!
Besides, even if immigrants did give less than the correct fare to the driver, i don't think the driver would have too much of a problem balancing his cash at the end of the day given all the change he has from avoiding giving the correct amount back to passengers or from passengers too embarrassed to have to ask for their change back.
Charles Sammut
Jun 28th 2009, 12:32
The first 3 words which Mr Bugri utters are "As an African......."
I rest my case.
Name Name
Jun 28th 2009, 12:24
Mr. Bugri is a person we can all learn something from.
Tony Caruana
Jun 28th 2009, 12:21
Ahmed Bugri remember even if you lived in Malta for a Hundred years You will NEVER be Maltese.
Steve Borg
Jun 28th 2009, 12:13
As evidenced by the comments below, we are so blinded by hatred towards black people that we're not even bothering to hear the sensible comments made by this man, let alone analyse them. Do yourselves a favour, read the entire interview and maybe most of us Maltese will come out of our pigeon hole of intolerance. What a sick island mentality!
PETER BORG
Jun 28th 2009, 12:06
@ M AQUILINA
I BOTHERED TO WATCH THE VIDEO BEFORE POSTING MY COMMENTS.
IF PASSING JUDGEMENT ON WHETHER A LEGITIMATE CITIZEN SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO EXERT HIS RIGHT TO BE CANDIDATE FOR AN ELECTION OR NOT IS NOT INTERFERENCE AND MEDDLING IN MALTESE AFFAIRS TO YOU, I WONDER WHAT IS.
maria falzon
Jun 28th 2009, 11:52
The maltese people have always been open and kind and generous towards other nationalities. the maltese people show great hospitality to other people and it´s a pity that now this name is being put down because of this illegal migration, after all malta is a small island with heavy unemployment how much can we take? I was in malta last year after many years of living abroad and I too was shocked when I saw all black people hangin around doing nothing. many of them were very rude and hostile, this thing he´s saying about looking down is something I can`t agree with, because they stare alot. Where ever I go the swedish people tell me how great and friendly the maltese are but they wouldn´t go back there cause of the rude africans and libyans. so please Ahmed don´t put down the maltese people help your people instead make them realize that it´s all over europe the africans are not welcome.
Mike Borg
Jun 28th 2009, 11:38
I guess he is entitled to his opinion in democratic free Malta or is it? Would be interesting to see what free speech foreigners are allowed in his country of origin if any.
I have worked 20 years in Africa and know for a fact that foreigners are not given the same freedom of speech. Pity they come across like martyrs to our shores yet pretend to want to change the system to accommodate their cultures, religions and habits.
Australia has the right attitude, send them back where they came from. Period.
Have a nice day.
Mark Galea
Jun 28th 2009, 11:15
Suggest the government to create another open centre for the maltese extremists as well.
louise vella
Jun 28th 2009, 11:12
"There are those who go into a shop to buy and the shopowner won't sell to them".
This is probably true, but so is the following from an article in MaltaToday, March 1, 2009, titled 'Our very own inconvenient truth' by Vincent Farrugia, secretary general of GRTU:
"Some are becoming a real threat. They create difficult situations in streets, bars, petrol stations, shops. They order goods and if the bill reaches beyond what they have in their pocket, they simply say 'no money' and expect to walk out with the goods. Before the shop owner opens his mouth, out comes the mobile, a number is dialled and suddenly the ship owner has a mob in his place".
Many have seen similar situations on buses. A group of illegal immigrants go on the bus, they tell the bus driver "no money". They are several, the bus driver is on his own and other Maltese passengers will not intervene. So the illegal immigrants get a free bus ride. Is this serious? Not very, but if I do such a thing I'll find myself in court.
louise vella
Jun 28th 2009, 11:10
Talk about two weights and two measures?
"When people come here and are detained it reinforces their hatred of the island".
"It was disappointing to have Mr Lowell contest the MEP election, especially after he was convicted of inciting racial hatred".
So it's OK for African illegal immigrants to harbour "hatred of the island" - meaning of course the Maltese (not that I mind!) But if it's the other way round, the Maltese citizen should not be allowed to exercise his civic rights.
"The need to provide for the family is crucial to an African way of life, so going back empty handed is not an option".
Does the need to provide for the family give an African the right to land in Malta illegally? If so, to how many Africans? 10 000? 50 000? 100 000? Going back empty handed is certainly an option for someone who came in empty handed - no money, no passport, no luggage, no nothing.
"sometimes immigrants in Malta send back 90 per cent of what they earn or recieve in benefits".
So that's where the money is going! Is the government keeping a tab on the money that's going out?
Julian Mallia
Jun 28th 2009, 11:10
This is a big problem for us Maltese being dictated to, alot of foreigners seem to think just because they have a piece of paper to say they have the F.O.M and an id think can take over and dictate what we should do and should not do, its not only this guy he is ofcourse most welcomed in my books, but there are others who think that we are still a colony namly the God and Mighty> British, also the Germans,Brussels to name but a few, i say they are all welcomed but should know their place just like alot of our brothers who are guests in their countries. Its just my honest opinion as a TRUE Maltese viva Malta and all the Maltese - end of story.
M. Aquilina
Jun 28th 2009, 11:06
Mr. Bugri is Maltese, and has been living in Malta for 18 years, hence he is not a foreigner any more. Here he was expressing his opinion, just like you did right now. And if you bothered to watch the video, it shows clearly that not only he is NOT interfering in our affairs, but he is actually representing Malta's affairs abroad.
As to illegal immigration, he is actually trying to bridge the gap and do something about it. I suggest YOU wake up. Rallying people against foreigners, be they illegal immigrants or not, is definitely not the way forward as that attitude only brings hostility! I wonder what Maltese locals married to foreigners and living in Malta would say if only they read your comment!
louise vella
Jun 28th 2009, 11:03
"Last year he was roped in for three months to help DAR project, an EU co-funded repatriation programme that provides immigrants with the chance and financial backing to voluntarily go home and set up their own business".
How good has Mr Bugri been at his job? How many illegal immigrants has he helped to go back to their country? That is what Mr Bugri should speak about.
PETER BORG
Jun 28th 2009, 11:02
The insinuation that migrants are exploited because they are migrants is just utter rubbish.
My employer never pays my salary on time, and I cannot join a union because I'd get the sack immediately. There are more abuses of the labour laws where I work, but I will not mention them. When I asked for help about "Conditions of work" from the government office that is there for this purpose, I was given the most unprofessional help ever. It turned out that the people working there were friends of my employer.
Stop this "because I'm black" rubbish. It is just nonsense. If you don't like it, leave as quickly as you came here illegally.
How cheeky that an immigrant demands that a legitmate Maltese citizen such as Norman Lowell be denied the right to stand as a candidate in the elections.
Can things get any worse? And to top it all up, they do not understand why the Maltese are rightly so concerned about the situation. Give us a break, will you? If you don't like it, just go.
Sandro Pace
Jun 28th 2009, 11:01
Exactly Igalea. This is already manifesting itself in small numbers, let alone in larger ones, and with more rights.
The more uncontrollable immigration becomes, the more there will be negative attitudes against it. No one can escape this inevitable fact. He understood nothing of the maltese psyche, and he will never do.
louise vella
Jun 28th 2009, 11:01
"he eventually chose to live in Malta ... in Malta because he felt secure ... However he feels this sense of security is slowly being eroded ... he senses the mood changing with the arrival of immigrants reaching Malta's shores on rickety boats." ... He recalls how in the early 1990s there were just a handful of blacks in Malta - 'we were an attraction which we used to our advantage'".
All this proves what we have been saying. It's not a matter of colour but of numbers and the way the illegal immigrants came. Mr Bugri came to Malta in a normal way, with a passport etc, took up an activity and settled here. We can integrate a handful whatever their colour. But we cannot integrate a large and unending number of culturally different people coming illegally by boat. Malta has reached saturation point. Malta is full up!
louise vella
Jun 28th 2009, 10:59
"You have these two communities who do not accept each other".
Yes, but one community is made of Maltese citizens, voters and taxpayers, that is, legal inhabitants of the Maltese islands. The other community is made of illegal immigrants from Africa who came by boat and whose identity, nationality, police record, medical history etc are often a mystery. More importantly the latter community is unwanted by the vast majority of the Maltese resident community, as any number of surveys, opinion polls, online polls etc show.
"When people come here and are detained it reinforces their hatred of the island".
But we do not ask the illegal immigrants to love us. Just to leave, go back to their country and leave us in peace.
Robert Scullion
Jun 28th 2009, 10:57
@lgalea
I believe it says he is a Maltese citizen in the interview. Therefore allowed to vote and is entitled to his opinion on some of the candidates.
Malu Rosso
Jun 28th 2009, 10:55
Mr. Bugri you might have a Maltese passport but that does not make you MALTESE.
Peter Borg
Jun 28th 2009, 10:46
He should go for MEP or MP. I'm sure that with the thousands of economic illegals having more rights than true Maltese citizens, he could secure a seat effortlessly and without any doubt.
lgalea
Jun 28th 2009, 10:37
So a Ghanian wants to dictate to us whom we should allow to contest election. This clearly shows how foreigners want to interfere in our internal affairs. People get ready because the more we allow foreigners especially illegal immigrants to stay in Malta the more interference we will have.