Joseph M. Camilleri and Rosanne Fenech

During 2007, the European Union is celebrating the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. This is a theme that calls for deep reflection on our part, especially on the beauty that diversity can represent in our society. People with a disability have an important place in a society that believes in the intrinsic value of every person. Hence, we need to value the dignity of a person in all his or her totality.

The Kummissjoni Nazzjonali Persuni b’Dizabilita’ (KNPD) is also celebrating its 20th anniversary and in order to celebrate these two events, KNPD is organising various public events. One of these was a meeting between the different religious groups that are active on our island. The theme of the meeting was: All Different – All Equal. Embracing Unity in Diversity.

KNPD chairman Joe Camilleri opened the meeting by emphasising the fact that in a society where every person has a place, people with a disability are to be treated equally as people and as citizens. This also holds true when these individuals belong to different faiths or religions. The more we create an inclusive environment, an environment where peoples with a disability and their family members feel equal in society, the more we can reach our ultimate aim of embracing the value of Unity in Diversity. Mr Camilleri explained that active participation demands accessibility to all and he therefore asked the religious leaders present to ensure that their communities are truly inclusive and accessible to those with a disability and their families.

The meeting was led by a disabled couple, Rita and Kevin Vella. Following their own words of welcome and thanks to everyone present, they introduced the nine leaders of the different religions practised in our country. The participants were also given the opportunity to introduce themselves to each other.

The first message was delivered by Rabbi Herbert Richer who represents the Jewish Community in Malta. He emphasised that we should never let our differences separate us from each other. Rather, in an inclusive society it is very important to embrace unity in diversity.

Mr Tikamdas Bharwani from the Indian Community in Malta presented the second message of this spiritual meeting. He explained that the first important step to arrive at God is to assume responsibility for our thoughts and actions to the best of our abilities and capabilities.

Mr Mario Abdurrahman Farrugia-Borg, of the Islamic Community in Malta, presented his message on behalf of his community. He emphasised the fact that before God, everyone is important, irrespective of any disability they may have. Society is duty bound to do all it can to improve the quality of life of people with a disability so that they will be able to make their maximum contribution on a social level.

Mgr George Mifsud of the Greek Catholic Church in Malta delivered his message that emphasised the value of giving unreserved love towards everyone, irrespective of their personal circumstances.

The Maltese Catholic Church was represented by Fr Charles Abela. He also emphasised the value of love, which must be our mainstay, so that it will enable us to accept diversity in the society we live in.

The German Protestant Community in Malta also gave its message to the meeting through Pastor Herwig Nolte. Every church or community embraces different people, but Pastor Nolte argued that together we have to work to live in unity.

Pastor David Ferraro of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Malta, in his message to the meeting, explained the need for everybody to give the necessary attention so that there will be accessibility to people with a disability at church.

The Baha’i Spiritual Assembly in Malta, represented by Mr Emanuel Cassar, elaborated on the importance of change in society’s attitudes towards disability through more education.

The final message of the meeting was delivered by Rev. David Morris of St Andrew’s Scots Church in Malta. God’s people have to embrace diversity, be happy together and work for unity, explained Rev. Morris.

The audience was also invited to reflect on these messages while listening to musical excerpts from classical composers such as Jean-Baptiste Arban, Johann Sebastian Bach and Benedetto Marcello.

A very significant part of this celebration took place when the family Umanah – Patrick, Carmen and their daughter Rachel – lit a candle symbolising Unity in Diversity. The light of this candle symbolised courage and hope for a better future together. The candle was surrounded by a spray of variegated flowers that also emphasised the same message. Similarly, the Umanah Family were a living example of a diversity of races and abilities within the embrace of the family unit.

Although we are different, together we can build a society that is more inclusive, where we can celebrate together the beauty of diversity. Rachel, in a few words, also delivered this message and she explained the reason why we lit this candle.

A number of people then joined together to pray as a community: Ms Bridget Micallef, Ms Grace Previ and Mr Omar Jelassi led the prayer entitled: “To Become Whole Persons”. Meanwhile, Ms Nicolette Aquilina and Mr George Vella interpreted this prayer into Maltese sign language.

Towards the end of this short meeting, the Commission launched the song Together We Can Make It, sung by Mr Charles Borg. Those present participated actively in the singing, because the song is very lively and its lyrics are very meaningful. The lyrics were available to everyone present in the booklet published for the meeting.

The meeting came to an end with the final message delivered by the head of state, President Edward Fenech Adami, who emphasised the need for us to recognise the fact that our Maltese identity was built on Christian values and, as such, had to be inclusive of everyone.

In order to ensure participation by all and also to ensure that this event was truly accessible and inclusive, there was simultaneous translation in Maltese, English and Maltese Sign Language. The programme booklet was printed in Maltese, English and Braille and individualised transport for people who needed it on account of their disabilty was also provided.