Some 200 Muslims gathered again in Msida square near the parish church for Friday prayers this afternoon, and a foundation which represents them said they were meeting there only because they had been evicted from their meeting place, without proper reason. 

This was the third time that the group met in Msida for prayers.

A spokesman for the community said that the Muslim community in Malta was sizeable and central places where the community could meet for prayers were needed.

"There are members who live in Mellieha, Birkirkara, Sliema, San Gwann, Msida and all over Malta and we need places which are central where we can gather and pray," he said.

The Malta Muslim Council Foundation said in a statement that in 15 years, four premises that were used by the community were closed to them without proper reasons.

“We are holding our Friday obligatory congregational prayer outside with the kind permission of the police. We are fully aware that this is not the proper solution to the issue,” they said.

The foundation appealed to the authorities and the public to help find a solution so that Muslims would have the right places for their prayers, especially the Friday obligatory prayer.