The Imam has expressed concerned at the Muslim face veil debate in Cabinet and Parliament and the fact it was being turned into a political issue.

In a statement this afternoon, Imam Mohammed El Sadi said the issue only concerned three Maltese Muslim women who chose to cover part of their face freely.

For several years, Muslim women in Malta wore the face veil and led a normal life. They contributed to cultural diversity and truly enjoyed the freedom guaranteed by the Maltese Constitution.

"Their Islamic dress did not cause any threat to the public security. Whenever they were required to identify themselves by security personnel, they readily complied, removing the face veil, and consider this compliance as both a religious and social duty.

"The face veil, covering part or all of the woman’s face is accepted in most European countries and all over the world, and it is not considered a threat to public safety. Even certain countries which suffered the curse of terrorist attacks did not ban the face veil, clearly because it has nothing to do with these criminal acts," Imam El Sadi said.

Imam El Saadi

Whenever they were required to identify themselves by security personnel, they readily complied

He said that depicting the Islamic face veil as a symbol of women’s oppression was a huge insult to Islam, which permitted it, and a grave offence to Muslims and particularly women.

"Most women wear the Islamic face veil freely and with pride. They do not adhere to it because it is imposed on them by a male, as implied, but rather they willingly wear it because it is a matter of faith and an opportunity to please Allah.

"The face veil is not a mask and its scope is not to disguise. Rather it is a gesture of piety and modesty . The woman’s dignity is maintained and enhanced by granting her enough freedom of choice and not by restricting their freedom."

Imam el Sadi said there were millions of Muslim women wearing the face-veil and they would all feel offended , treated unjustly, besieged and harassed by such an imposing law.

The prohibition of the face-veil would be a violation of individual freedom and human rights with no true benefit to society. Just as the woman in a secular society was left to decide for herself what to wear and what to uncover, so the Muslim woman had the right to cover and uncover what she decided was appropriate for herself.

"We know that the current discussion does not target Islam and is not motivated by a hostile attitude against it, but surely it concerns Islam and the Muslims, as only the Muslim female wears the face-veil...

"The face-veil does not contradict the Maltese values of freedom but rather enhances said value and constitutes a contribution to strengthen the social values and the freedom enjoyed in the country," the Imam said.

He said that in a global world where people of different cultures lived together and interacted in so many ways and in so many spheres of life, it was more beneficial for any country to grant as much individual freedoms as possible.

"Malta will benefit on many levels if it builds on its already excellent reputation of a respectful and friendly environment, allowing all the freedom to exercise their own cultural norms and way of life.

"The Muslim community appeals to the government and the political parties to maintain the current permission of the face-veil, thus guaranteeing and promoting integration and harmony in our society," the Imam said.