Standing on the doorstep of a very important general election in Maltese history, Joseph Muscat is faced with probably the hardest test he's had to face so far in his long stint of eight years leading his party, of which he spent half leading the nation. The test he faces is whether to permit Islam to be taught in public schools, or pay the price of keeping it out.
Why is the next election any different to the rest, one may ask? For Dr Muscat, the next election will mark his future for the next decade or two. He is undoubtedly confident in winning; however, it's the 'by how much' that must be on his mind. For if the Nationalist Party manages to cut the 36,000 majority by at least half or more, Dr Muscat would be celebrating a very terse victory, knowing that the five years ahead of him will translate into political blackmail by those around him and beyond. The situation for him plays out worse than it does for the Nationalists, considering that he shaped his reign by mostly giving to everyone whatever they demand. In contrast, expectations under a PN government are far lower. It would also mean that the PN get to keep Simon Busuttil who, on his part, will rally with a stronger battle cry, confident that he slashed one of the dragon's heads, ready to proceed for the kill. A PN that loses the election by a third of Labour's historic majority in 2013 will start to govern from the Opposition's benches, just like Eddie Fenech Adami did in 1981, Alfred Sant in 1992 and Joseph Muscat in 2008.
The latest issue the Prime Minister is faced with could seriously destabilise his power base and leave him vulnerable on the eve of an election. It is so big, that it could easily influence the timing of the next election in order to postpone the problem to the next legislature. We are of course referring to the proposal for Islamic values and religion to be taught in public schools. Education Minister, Evarist Bartolo made it clear on Xarabank that such a move would not mean that Catholic Maltese children would be exposed to Islam against their parents' will. The controversy was further fuelled by Archbishop Charles Scicluna, who pushed forward the idea that the Muslim community should enjoy the same arrangement the Church has with the government, while adding, on Xarabank, that if logistically possible, even the Church should offer the same service to Muslim children who attend its schools. This was when the flame became a wild fire and the social platforms and other media blazed with racial comments from Catholics who declared that Islam would be taught in public or church schools "over their dead body."
One may see this as being yet another seasonal story that spikes headlines with sensationalism, but the seasoned politician knows better. As with the rest of the world, in Malta the Muslim community is growing by a faster rate than the Catholic one. Politicians from both ends have, over time, sought to appease the Imam and his well-timed requests.
The 'Mariam Al Batool' Islamic school in Paola, founded twenty years ago, has been reportedly running in the red while it is also too small to cater for its growing community. Malta's Muslim leaders are seeking more than one solution. They are aiming for a nearby plot of public land to build a larger complex which could house most of its students, but they are also asking the government to fund its operation with more money than the current €300,000 injection it already receives on a yearly basis. The Archbishop, who is not only a man of God but the Chairman of the Church's many cash-dry commercial ventures, is all out for State help to the Muslim community. He understands that if such takes place the Church too would stand to benefit from any agreement reached with another religious entity.
For Labour this could be the ultimate test. Will Joseph Muscat open the doors for Islam to be taught in public schools, knowing that this would seriously dent his reputation with the 'Catholic' electoral base? Will he go against the grain, just like he did with civil liberties, knowing that people may not be so kind and understanding on this particular issue? He must have already calculated the political cost of making such a decision. Will he commit more public funds to help the Muslim community in Malta in an effort to bid for time, while keeping the gates of public schools closed to those Muslim tax-paying Maltese citizens who are now demanding that their children deserve to get Islamic teachings in public schools? This, will not be an easy one for Joseph Muscat.