AD says Imam should apologise

@ Mr Magdi, With all due respect, we all serve God, but certainly, the 'God' we serve differs from one mentality to the other. State and Religion must never be mixed up and that is the one main problem with Islam. Religion must also adapt according to the times and certainly, Islam has not adapted itself - quite the contrary, it is seen as extremely intolerant. When was the last time that a mosque was burned down by Christians? And when was the last time a Christian church was mobbed by Muslims? I will tell you: a few days ago in Egypt! What would you do to a Muslim who converts to Christianity? What does the Quran say about that? And what do you think would happen to a Christian who converts to Islam? I will tell you: nothing!

@ Davids Borg: 'Regarding homosexuality, the Catholic Church is definitely not homophobic. It condemns homosexual acts, but not homosexual persons. It appears that this is the position in Islam.' No? Why not take some time off and read what then Cardinal Ratzingers wrote to the Bishops about homosexuality? Condemning the acts? But what does the Church know about 'the acts'? Experienced, maybe?

@E.Muscat F.Sammut is right! From the way you wrote about the Quran, I was wondering if you ever read it to judge. You can't judge the Quran unless you read what is inside. Before some people talk, read and get to know things. A blind person can't distinguish green from red(not to offend blind people) and the same goes to people judging the Quran without ever going through it. I am Muslim and I have a Bible at home. I read the Bible for my own knowlegde to understand what Christians believe, after all we all serve the same God.

I do not agree with various aspects of the Muslim religion and practices. I believe, as Silvio Berlusconi once stated, that the European culture is better that other cultures such as the Muslim one. The Islamic religion has punishments considered barabaric or inhuman in the Western world, such as stoning and the death penalty. This is the problem with Islam, it seems to still approve practises which many today consider to be outrageous. Regarding homosexuality, the Catholic Church is definitely not homophobic. It condemns homosexual acts, but not homosexual persons. It appears that this is the position in Islam. However in various Islamic states, homosexual acts are criminal acts which may be punished with death - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_and_homosexuality. I understood the Imam's comments on television as referring to same sex marriages, and not homosexuality in general.

Prosit AD there is no place in our modern westernised society for such comments from the Imam. If he wants Sharia law then he should pack his bags and go to a country that practices these laws, I am sure that he will not be so outspoken there. The Maltese public expects a condemnation from the other political parties.

I never thought I might agree with AD anything, but there you go, I'm all with them on this one.

These AD people first stick their necks out to defend the muslims in our country, by taking part in demonstrations against the Israelis for example and then when these Muslims open their mouth to say what are their beliefs AD express surprise and dismay. It seems that the AD is part of Mars or Jupiter and not part of the earth! I am still waiting for the day when AD pack their bags.... Its long over due!!!

These are the people which previous AD leaders told us we should accept and integrate in our society. I sincerely believe Mr Brigulio is a much more realistic person, and hopefully he is aware of what islam is all about. Gays, Lesbians, non believers, you have a much bigger threat then christians.

First of all AD is not anti- muslim or pro-catholic but we believe everyone has rights and these rights should be respected. Gays and lesbians should have as much rights as straight people as we are all the same species so rights should be universal. When the Catholic Church and the pope had said something about `gays and lesbians, AD did condemn that so the trying to impress for the Catholic vote is something that if you want to believe its your choice my friend. Principles are essential, especially in a country like Malta were our two major Malta's seem to have lost most of their principles..

But why should the Imam apologise when he only expressing what the Muslin religion says. The problem arises when the Muslim community will demand to carry on with their religious acts which go against our laws as is happening in other European countries. AD should be more prudent when criticising those persons who are against the illegal entry of these Muslim.

@F.Sammut:why should you try to interpret what the imam said?The koran does not allow interpretation either.It is us christians who try to interprete everything and interfere in other people's beliefs.It is simple:accept it or be damned.The man should be boycotted for these beliefs and watched for any actions against the welfare of the maltese.

May I join in and simply say that the Imam is one of the sincerest man I've ever met. I also do not think he is homophobic or anything like that. His choice of words could have been better, only Mr Bondi does not let anyone choose the best wording one may use when arguing a point. Let's face it, Mr Bondi is always in a hurry ... to shut people up at the exact moment that they are trying to find the most appropriate words. Besides, the Imam was speaking in Maltese, a language that is foreign to him however fluent he might be at it after all these years living over here. I do not think the Imam wanted to compare homosexuals to animals, be they dogs (which I adore and classify as animals only with great reservations) or any other creature. What he probably wanted to say was that such marriages do not reproduce, therefore questioning their purpose. Now, I am neither Muslim nor certainly homophobic (some of my friends ARE homosexual) yet I still have to be convinced of the necessity of marriage in their case. I really cannot understand the relevance of self-same marriage.

PROSIT AD!!!! Now the Labour LGBT Network should also take a strong stand! The Imam should apologise to the Maltese and Lesbian community: http://patrickattard.blogspot.com/2009/11/press-release-call-to-imam-to-apologise.html

After watching the interview and the shock of the iman's plain comments on law and society, I began to wonder how and why did he express them openly knowing the negative feedback that would come back to him? Could Malcolm Farrugia be right? Could the increase of the muslim population in Malta be fueling his ambition? its been years since I visited Malta, but I listen to what my friends tell me when they come back from malta and I fear for her! Malta must not go down the same road as the Uk. In Ausrtalia, we had an sheilk Halilly say that women not dressed in a hajib are "uncovered meat that cats can eat" meaning that girls that are not dressed as muslim women can be raped! Naturally it caused a stink and he was removed from the position as head of the mosque here. BUT ! That is how a lot of them think! Be very careful Malta!

@AD Why are you being anti Muslim? The Catholic Church also shares the same homophobic views and beliefs which are also shown publicly by the Pope. Why not express your dissaproval of the Pope and the Catholic Church? Well you wouldn't want to loose the Catholic vote would you. Before anyone asks I am Atheist and proud.

Why should the Imam apologise when he is saying the truth. If you agree or disagree with what he had said is another thing.

I think that the imam said what he belives in and from my point of view everyone must do the same so i say my point of view i think that my beloved country always welcomed everyone and has been kind to all but i believe to that we are inteligent strong in our faith and our country was and will remain helpful but not ocupied by others idea so let us not make a fuss on what the imam said if he believes what he said he also said that he respact the maltese culture and it's belives so let us keep being united in our faith thanks.

Don’t expect an apology from the Imam. Almost certainly this will never happen for five reasons, here I will just mention two reason: First: the Imam doesn’t need votes from gays and lesbians. Second: A Muslim Imam and a priest probably share religious identical views over this issue. The difference however is that, a priest does his best to appease his audience and use soft vocabularies or may even chose to completely twist or ignore what the Bible says about gays and lesbians and same-sex union, while the Imam stick to the book and appease no one.

I think you are making a fuss about nothing! What the imam did was only interpreting his "holy book"! What it contains is another matter that had been there since it was written.

@AD:the imam is being consistent with what is written in the koran and he believes it is perfect :no discussion.The message is primitive but clear:you either accept it or you are not a muslim.We christians are conciliatory(which also means not clear and changeable) but also weak in their eyes.So basically there is no way that integration can occur: the only way is complete separation or we give up our christianity and freedom and become muslims or remain christians and be treated as second class people in our land (when they believe that they will take over in about 30 years time when their population would be greater than ours and by our democratic means(elections) they will introduce sharia law).
He also has a point when he says that the west will consider marriage with cats and dogs in the long run after approving same sex marriage(cats and dogs are despiceable creatures in his beliefs but not horses and camels!) and knowing that people in the west love their pets so much, this is not so far-fetched as one might think.
I do not think that he should excuse himself with anybody.These are his beliefs!

What a joke! How on earth could a political party, or a pressure group, whatever they are, be daft enough to ask an imam to apologise for his faith!. Will they be asking the pope to apologise for the deificencies of the catholic fatih?

I am sorry but if people don't want to hear what the Imam had to say and accept the difference in religion morals, then why do you keep inviting him on tv shows? First you invite someone on the show and then you try to put shame on him or redicule him for what he said and believes in.

The imam seemed to be a cordial person until last week, maybe the sudden influx of illegal immigrants mostly muslims seem to have boosted El Sadi's ego.