On July 31, 2010, a 27-year-old woman was led into an interrogation room by the airport police soon after her arrival at Malta International Airport. She was rather tired after a long journey and this might have rendered the police somewhat suspicious. Otherwise she was well behaved, and above all, was decently dressed.

The woman had done nothing wrong and had everything in order. It seems her only fault was that she was pretty, young and hailed from Ukraine. I know, because she happens to be my wife’s daughter.

Eleven months later, on June 29, 2011, an arrogant ‘superstar’ by the name of Snoop Dogg, a famous rapper also known for his controversial and notorious behaviour, arrived at the airport. He wasn’t wearing a top or shirt, so therefore he was ‘indecently dressed in public’, a flagrant violation of our laws.

The airport’s security and customer service were reported to have done their utmost to persuade our defiant rapper to put on his shirt, but to no avail.

Now, every time a passenger refuses to obey legitimate orders, the police, as a rule, are called in. But in this case, they couldn’t take any action because, as reported in the local press, our agile rapper had cleared the terminal’s restricted areas before any effective action could be taken.

So what that Snoop Dogg is a public figure? The police surely knew where he was staying, since he was to appear at the Isle of MTV concert on the Granaries. They could have gone to his hotel and have a polite word with him there. But this obviously never happened.

During the concert itself our indomitable rapper, like another artist during last year’s Isle of MTV, was heard uttering obscenities several times during his performance.

However, in this year’s concert, Mr Dogg went one better. He also poked fun at the police on duty using obscene language. But again, presumably like last year, no action was taken.

These are clear cases of double standards. Just imagine what would happen if any of us decided to go bare-chested at the airport besides refusing to obey legitimate orders to put on a shirt. I am sure they would make an example of us.

Another reason for this lack of action could also be the fact that the Isle of MTV concert was organised in conjunction with the Malta Tourism Authority, and police action could have led to a rather embarrassing situation.

One more thing about music concerts or festivals held at theGranaries in Floriana. I have asked myself, time and time again, why the Church authorities allow the lighting up of the whole façade of St Publius church during such music events.

A Church document has very strict principles and rules about feasts.

I do not think that by ‘special occasions’ the document is referring to such profane events as concerts and festivals, especially Isle of MTV, where for these past two years, some performing artists uttered obscenities – again with impunity – with St Publius church all lit up for the occasion in the background.

Last year’s Isle of MTV festival also proved to be controversial. At one point, it was also said that whoever was responsible for switching on the lights of St Publius church façade was, in fact, paid.

If this was and still is the case regarding this year’s concerts, I feel the Church owes us an explanation.

Concerts and festivals featuring foreign and Maltese artists, particularly Isle of MTV, should be encouraged and supported because they give our islands a great boost both economically and publicity-wise. But this must not be at the expense of our laws, principles and our national pride.