The Muslim spiritual leader in Malta called on the government to review or reduce the detention period for asylum seekers as it did not reflect the island’s reputation for hospitality.

“While we express our gratitude for its services to migrants, we appeal to the Maltese government to review its detention policy or shorten the period of detention as much as possible.

We are all human irrespective of faith and country of origin. The golden rule is to treat others as we would want to be treated

“Detention does not serve the welfare of migrants, it does not stop migration and does not complement the Maltese traditional hospitality and generosity,” Imam Mohammed El Sadi said yesterday.

‘Put yourself in a migrant’s shoes’

Imam Mohammed El Sadi and Auxiliary Bishop Charles Scicluna at the mosque yesterday. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

The Imam was accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Charles Scicluna, head of the Emigrants’ Commission Philip Calleja and several other religious leaders and refugees who met at the mosque before Friday prayers to mark World Refugees Day.

Mr El Sadi said those who did not welcome migrants should put themselves in their shoes and ask whether they would have liked to be treated unkindly and unjustly.

On the other hand, migrants should be grateful for the hospitality, obey the law and respect the culture of the host country.

“They should work hard and contribute to the welfare and development of the country.

“They have to try their best to integrate in the society without losing their cultural identity,” he said.

The religious leaders read excerpts from the Gospel and the Koran, praying for just working conditions for migrant workers and for the protection of unaccompanied refugee children.

Mgr Scicluna said the meeting at the mosque was a sign of unity in remembering refugees no matter their faith or origin.

“We are all human irrespective of faith and country of origin. The golden rule is to treat others as we would want to be treated.”

Speaking to this newspaper, he urged for solidarity – “a hallmark of our tradition” – with refugees.

Noting the terms ‘irregular’ and ‘illegal’ were often used interchangeably, he insisted that refugees were human beings.

“If we forget the categories and simply concentrate on the fact that they are human beings who need our care and solidarity, I think policies will follow that will be truly in line with our traditions.”