Malta should uphold its tradition, dating back thousands of years, of being a bridge in the triangle of peace between Christianity, Judaism and Islam, President George Abela said yesterday.

The country has always been a centre of these different faiths in the Mediterranean, he said, highlighting the “sense of belief” its people have had throughout history.

In the context of discussions on clauses of the Constitution that made Malta a “confessional state”, the President said “this culture, belief and history must be kept alive”. It gave the Maltese their identity and stamp, he said.

Dr Abela was speaking at the annual reception held by the Vilhena Philharmonic Society of Floriana on the occasion of the feast of St Publius, which marks the start of the season of religious feasts in Malta.

The President, who celebrated his 65th birthday yesterday, expressed his pleasure at the news of the replacement of the tents in the Ħal Far open centre by prefabricated units so the immigrants Malta welcomed would live in “decent homes”.

The main characteristic of the Maltese was their “big heart”, he said, urging them not to throw away their identity in the belief that they would find a new one, without knowing what it would be.

“We need to retain the solid and concrete principles that make us Maltese,” Dr Abela appealed.

The reception, which was attended by various dignitaries, was also addressed by Archbishop Paul Cremona and the band club’s president, Chris Vella.

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