Part of the Islamic school at the Islamic mosque in Corradino closed down recently, according to the school director. The secondary students, who number between 60 and 80, will have to go elsewhere. Later, in an interview, the Islamic director spoke of the possibility that the students settle in a school where they can learn Islamic religion.

If he wants the students to learn the Islamic religion he can do so after school hours, just as we do to our children.

And what right does he have to make such a suggestion since most, if not all, of the students are not of Maltese origin? They are in Malta either because their families are seeking refuge here or because they are children of diplomats serving in Malta.

Then came the bombshell: the Archbishop declared that Church school doors are open to these students and, if I am not mistaken, they would also be given lessons in Islamic religion. Good, so the problem is solved and the government does not need to do the same.

May I point out that if you go to a Muslim country like, say, Iran or Pakistan, and ask them to open the doors of their schools to our religion they would probably put you behind bars or worse.