When my wife and I were the official guests of the highest authorities in Iran, my wife covered her head and wore adequate clothing.

I have many years’ experience all over North Africa and the Middle East. The women wear a variety of styles.

Thus it cannot be any religious imposition but purely nomadic and tribal customs which pre-date even the prophet Moses.

For the uninitiated, Islam is based on five pillars as enshrined in the Kaaba in Mecca. None of these include any dress impositions. In fact none of these include any reference to hatred of other religions or terrorism.

There are other groups and religions that resort to this humiliating practice. Even Christianity, in its initial years, expected the women to cover their heads and be subservient to their men.

I defend the rights of all people to follow their religion. I am one of the few that have objected to vilification. But in Malta I expect that every resident follows the laws and customs of the country. Any freedoms, democracy or civil rights are not just the wording on a piece of paper, but the actual manifestation.

When I worked, travelled and was on diplomatic missions in Islamic countries, I was respected by one and all for the way my wife and I behaved ourselves. On the same basis I demand that any other person living in Malta must respect our traditions and human rights.

No person is in Malta against his (her) free will. As long as the person remains in Malta, the country’s laws and customs must be respected and followed.

True democracy is not only the individual rights but also the rights of other people living in the same country. Those who don’t like to follow our customs and laws are free to go and live in another country.

I believe the burqa is an insult to the Maltese people.