The Maltese Constitution states that there is religious freedom of expression in Malta, regardless whether that religion is Roman Catholic or not.

When questioned whether it would be an issue if Muslims began practicing and leaving the Koran in an open public space, Health Minister Chris Fearne said that there was no this whatsoever: “If people wish to express their religious beliefs in an open space, the Constitution allows this.”

During a press conference yesterday, Fearne expressed that the issue of religious symbols depends on the individual feelings or emotion, and that politicians should not get involved in the issue.

The Health Minister insisted that they are not forcing anyone to put up any religious symbols, but that whoever feels that they wish to express their devotion in this way then the government should not be an obstacle.

On Sunday, Net News reported that a circular was sent to health centres that all religious symbols and pictures were to be removed as “the clinic is a health entity and we consider ourselves to be a multi-cultural society.”

The circular stated that forms bearing the old PrimaryCare logo are to be removed, that unnecessary items are to be cleared up and that notice boards may only be used for notices that are strictly related to PrimaryCare services.