Imam Mohammed Elsadi this afternoon publicly thanked Prime Minister Joseph Muscat for enrolling “for the first time” a Muslim representative in his private secretariat saying that the Muslim community was very proud of this initiative.

The Imam was referring to Mario Farrugia Borg – who some years ago was a Nationalist Party councillor in Qormi before he became a PL activist.

According to the Imam, Mr Farrugia Borg was instrumental in convincing the Muslim community in Malta to vote Labour at the last general elections.

Speaking during a formal meeting with the representatives of the Muslim community in Malta, Dr Muscat clarified that Mr Farrugia Borg was not chosen to be in his office because he was a Muslim but because he “delivers".

“He also happens to be a Muslim,” Dr Muscat told the Imam jokingly.

During the meeting the community asked the government’s help on a number of issues, including the ‘waiving’ of a €400,000 loan it had on its school in Paola, with the PM promising that this should not be a problem.

Dr Muscat said that Mr Farrugia Borg will be his interlocutor with the Muslim community.