The head of the 4,000-strong Muslim community in Malta, Imam Mohammed El Sadi speaks to Rosanne Zammit about relations between Catholics and Muslims, Turkey's membership of the EU, the situation in the Middle East and other issues and controversies facing the world today.

At his office at the Mosque, in Paola, Imam El Sadi speaks softly but with conviction. His views on issues facing society are strong and clear and his respect for the Pope and the Catholic community is genuine.

The people who kill in the name of Islam are a threat to the Muslim religion which they are defaming, the head of the Islamic community in Malta insists.

"Islam teaches that humanity should live in peace, mutual respect and cooperation. Everyone's life is sacred in Islam...

"Unfortunately, there is ignorance, people are brainwashed, they abuse religions. There are people who are a threat to the Muslim religion."

The Imam said he could not comprehend the goings on in Iraq.

"I cannot understand how members of the same religion are killing one another. In Islam it is forbidden to even kill an animal unjustly. But these people are killing thousands, destroying places of worship and causing so much suffering and bloodshed.

"What religion do these people belong to? What religious teaching do they have? They are defaming the religion of Islam and even if they claim to be Muslims they are not.

"For it is the unbelievers and not the Muslims, Christians or Jews who kill one another. Killing is a crime. The killers are terrorists who have nothing to do with religion. They invited wars and invaders to our countries. The Muslims are the victims of terrorism."

Imam El Sadi insists that many more Muslims than non-Muslims are killed by terrorists.

"We are the victims. It has become difficult for us to travel, to get a visa. All Muslims are now suspect of terrorism. We are very worried about the situation because it is damaging our reputation and destroying the beautiful teaching of Islam."

The Imam believes that the recent quotation by Pope Benedict XVI of a 14th century Christian emperor that Mohammad had brought the world only evil and inhuman things had damaged relations between the Catholic and Muslim religions which had been developed and enhanced under Pope John Paul II.

"We highly appreciate the support of the Catholic Church against the war in Iraq and the sanctions against Libya as well as its support for the Palestinian cause and other issues."

Imam El Sadi said that following the Pope's use of the emperor's quotation, many questioned if the Catholic Church really respected the Muslim religion and wanted to continue the constructive dialogue.

However, Muslim authorities have generally accepted the Pope's indirect apology and were looking forward to resuming dialogue.

Dialogue, the Imam said, is a fundamental value in both Christianity and Islam.

"Dialogue is one of the principles of Islam. The Koran is a book of dialogue. It is a necessity and a must to create mutual understanding and respect and also to establish cooperation between different religions.

"We can cooperate in fighting atheism, materialism, permissiveness and also poverty, diseases, illiteracy and social injustices. There are many fields of cooperation."

The Imam believes that the Pope's visit to Turkey next week will be the start of a new era in relations between the two religions. "This is a very important visit. It will show the mutual goodwill in enhancing relations between the two religions."

Asked for his views about the possibility of Turkey joining the EU and if, as a Muslim state, it would be able to integrate in the Union, Imam El Sadi said Turkey's prospective EU membership would enhance mutual respect and understanding between Christians and Muslims and remove the possibility of religious wars.

"For Europe cannot fight with itself. Moreover, there are 33 million Muslims in Europe, many of European origin. So the more Europe becomes multi-cultural and multi-ethnic, the more it will be at peace with itself and with the rest of the world."

"The Turks are also eager to integrate and become a part of the EU. This is their dream so they will do their utmost to be accepted and to be an asset to Union. So we Muslims welcome this initiative and we hope it will one day come true."

The Imam said that in spite of cultural differences between Western and Muslim cultures, it was possible for Muslims to integrate in western society while retaining their own cultural identity.

"Muslims in the West should participate in all political, economic and cultural activities and they should cooperate with the authorities for the common good. But at the same time they have the right to maintain their own cultural identity.

"They have no right to impose their ideals and culture on the westerners and the westerners also have no right to impose their own culture and ideals on Muslims.

"The Muslims have no right to interfere in the religious affairs of the westerners - they are not the ones against the use of the crosses in classrooms in the West or the celebration of Christmas - and there should be mutual respect in this regard."

The Imam said it was unfortunate that European authorities were indulging in making laws banning the use of the veil by Muslim women.

"These laws breach human rights and go against personal freedom. How can nudity but not decency be permitted in the West? This is a contradiction...

"If there is a problem of security, officials can ask the woman to remove the veil so that she can be identified, there is no problem with that.

"But banning the veil is against secularism which is based on freedom and human rights. The laws being debated will only incite more hatred, mistrust and extremism in the world. They will also endanger the integration of Muslims in western societies."

The veil, Imam El Sadi insists, is a matter of choice. "If there are people who choose this kind of clothing, what is wrong with that?

"It does not make sense for countries that are pioneers of human rights to pass laws that go against human rights."

Asked whether there were any differences between Muslims in the West and Muslims in Muslim societies, Imam El Sadi said there were.

"There are many people in Muslim countries who do not know the way of life of the West. They do not know the culture of the West, the teaching of the Catholic or Jewish religions.

"But when Muslims move to the West, they become more open-minded, knowledgeable and informed about other religions and cultures.

"They also learn many things that are lacking in the Muslim world, such as democracy, freedom and different administrative systems.

"So I think the Muslims in the West are more tolerant and understanding."

So is a Muslim in the West a better Muslim?

"I do not know whether a better Muslim is the right term. Rather than a better Muslim, a more informed, more open-minded Muslim."

He said that unfortunately there were people who were trying to confuse minds saying that Muslims wanted to implement Shari'a - Islamic law - in the West.

"How can Muslims enforce Shari'a in a non-Muslim society? It is non-sensical, illogical and undemocratic to implement Shari'a in the West. Those who speak about the possibility of this are trying to confuse minds and foment hatred and prejudice against Islam.

"Muslims in the West are law abiding and peace loving and they enjoy living in Western countries. They respect western systems and cultures and they expect westerners to respect theirs. Mutual respect is the essence of harmony, integration and peace."

Shari'a, the Imam said, was implemented only in a Muslim society which believed in it, was ready to practise it and bear its obligations and responsibilities.

Were the recent protests by Muslims over cartoons featuring the prophet Mohammed the result of Muslims being unable to be self-critical?

Imam El Sadi agreed that Muslims were not open to criticism like Westerners. "You criticise and protest about everything. In the Muslim world we have limits. We believe God, prophets and religions should be respected. For if we disrespect God and the prophets, what are we teaching our children? By not showing such respect, we are promoting atheism and permissiveness. And permissiveness is destructive. It will destroy our life and deprive us of all the privileges we enjoy."

The Imam said there were many things Muslims could learn from the West but there were areas where the West could learn from Muslims.

"For with all due respect to western life, where will all this permissiveness take us: To more prosperity or to destruction?

"I know westerners are proud of their way of life but there is nothing wrong in reviewing a way of life. There are many good things in other places.

"We learn from the westerners. There are many good things we would like to practise in our countries. We would like freedom, democracy, human rights and social security. But I think spiritually and socially you should return to the roots of your Christian teachings.

"The problem is that God is absent in the West. The people have replaced God by becoming gods themselves and they think that their laws are better than the laws of Christ. But by ignoring God they are destroying themselves."

When the situation in the Middle East is raised, the Imam insisted there cannot be peace in the region with occupation.

"The solution is very easy; Israel should comply with the UN Security Council resolution that decrees that Israel should withdraw from the Arab land occupied since 1967. If Israel does so, peace will prevail in the Middle East.

"Unfortunately, it seems Israel has no will to withdraw and it is always supported in its policies by the United States that vetoes any condemnation of Israel in the Security Council."

So does he think the US is part of the problem?

"Of course it is part of the problem. The US is the only country that can pressure Israel to withdraw.

"Europe should also exert pressure on the Israelis to comply with international legitimacy in spite of the fact that Israelis reject any genuine role for Europe in the peace process. The Israelis shunned a recent French/Italian/Spanish initiative for a peace conference in the Middle East. So it is up to the US and Israel. Unfortunately, it seems that Israel is above the law and above the UN resolution."

Imam El Sadi however believes that Israel will eventually withdraw from the occupied land.

"For the Israelis to live in peace, for the world to live in peace there should be a solution to the Palestinian cause... I do not know when but a Palestinian state will eventually be established.

"Maybe eventually Palestine and Israel will be integrated into one state, like what happened in South Africa where the blacks and the whites now live together peacefully in one democratic country.

Why not?"

This may look like a dream to many but the Imam honestly believes it is possible - and in our lifetime!

"Why not," he said when asked, "everything is possible".

However, he said the US should exercise pressure and promote foreign policies taking into account the Palestinian cause.

"Otherwise the bloodshed, the destruction and the suffering of the Israelis and the Palestinians will continue. And for nothing. Because justice will prevail one day whether people like it or not.

"Israel will eventually feel tired, isolated and exposed to unendurable external and internal pressure and will withdraw. It cannot continue to oppose the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people."