The Maltese Patriots Movement welcomed the invitation made by the Malta Muslim Council for a dinner at the council’s prayer meeting venue in Floriana, but has laid out a number of conditions before accepting the invitation, a movement statement said today.

The movement said that before any talks with the council, led by Bader Zeina, is opened, any illegal use of places for prayer gatherings must be closed down.

The movement noted that the Muslim Council and Bader Zeina are not representative of the whole Muslim community, and so called for the inclusion of Imam Mohammed Elsadi in any negotiations.

In its statement signed by secretary general Norman Scicluna, the movement felt that the division that exists in the Muslim community needs to be sorted out before any progress could be made.

Instead of a dinner, the movement said a more formal meeting including representatives of the political parties and the church should be held to discuss the way forward.

The movement noted that the number of requests for places of prayer for Muslim is on the rise, and this shows that the number of Muslims in Malta is increasing rapidly. The acceptance of such requests is an open invitation for these minorities to remain in Malta on a permanent basis, the movement said.