I thank Jesmond Camilleri, director, Identity Malta (‘Rabat is the real name’, November 28), for taking the trouble to give attention to my letter titled ‘Rabat, Gozo does not exist’ (November 22).

The problem is that the basis on which the authority is relying is, to say the least, rather tenuous. Beside the fact it’s ridiculous to quote the name on a map as the source of the data on an official document which, on occasion, substitutes for a passport, even the way it is being quoted is incorrect.

The relevant section of the law quoted doesn’t mention any map, it mentions the schedule.

The map is there for the purpose of the boundaries not the name of the locality.

It says: “Every locality should carry the name given to it in the second schedule and every reference to that locality should be by the name given to it.”

And, guess what, the name given in the schedule is “Ir-Rabat (Città Victorian)” (sic).

This means that, according to the authority, the whole name (as given in the schedule), article and all, should be used on official documents.

Can you imagine?

It seems that, for want of a better argument, the authority, having gone down the route of relying on this particular law and to bypass this mess, very conveniently quotes the name on a map. Not very convincing.

Even the locality’s council contradicts the authority. Their website clearly gives the name as Victoria local council and says thus: “In 1887, Rabat, the old name of the main city of Gozo, was replaced by Victoria.”

I contend that the name of our town never reverted back to Rabat.

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