Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/598356
maltatoday, Sunday, 8 november 2015 News LGÎQQGM=N=F>MJL@=J We've partnered up -NVƦXHMFEQNL,@KS@SNL@MXLNQDMDV CDRSHM@SHNMRUH@ LRSDQC@L HQONQS2BGHOGNK Two great airlines. A world of new travel destinations. klmBNL | @HQmaltaBNL NOW ".#$2' 1(-&6(3' PN is 'no exclusive club for Christians', says Busuttil Tim DiaCoNo OppOsitiOn leader simon Busut- til reached out to non-Christians, insisting that the pn has always been an open-minded party that promotes religious equality and tolerance. "Although the nationalist party has in recent years been associated with extreme religious and con- servative policies, it has in fact al- ways been an open-minded party," Busuttil told a conference organ- ised by the pn's equal opportuni- ties forum FOipn. "the pn should in no way be seen as an exclusive club for Christians, and has in fact always been open to other religions. indeed, the pn was first established at a time when the Church was the only power in Mal- ta, meaning that the party's very creation was a sign of secularity." But a member of the audience had earlier appealed to the pn leader to remember his party's traditional 'Religio et patria' (reli- gion and country) slogan, by way of acknowledging its confessional roots. However, Busuttil drew a clear line between himself and the slo- gan, arguing that it has never been enshrined in the party's statute. "traditionally, Christianity was practically the only religion fol- lowed in Malta, but times have now changed and when you speak of 'religio et patria', one must now question which religion you are re- ferring to." He pointed out that a census in november 2005 revealed that only 42% of people younger than 50 go to Mass on sundays. "that was ten years ago; let alone what a new cen- sus will reveal," he said. Busuttil said that the pn should be proud of the Christian roots of its values of tolerance, solidarity and human dignity. "Christ introduced the concept of solidarity, and the pn brought it into the Maltese political vocabu- lary," Busuttil said. "the concept of tolerance means that we must also accept those who may be intolerant towards us, within the context of the law, and not compare the situa- tion in Malta to how Christians are treated in Arab countries." He also defended the display of the crucifix in public spaces, ar- guing that it was not simply a re- ligious symbol but a symbol of Malta's tradition. 'Government's values based on opinion polls' in his speech, Busuttil lambasted the government for "basing its val- ues on opinion polls and target au- diences". "the government has absolutely no values, and makes decisions according to where it thinks the wind is blowing," he said. "While our values may not always be per- fect, at least they are consistent. i will not say one thing to hunters and another to environmentalists, or speak one way in Brussels and another way in Malta." He also accused the government of pushing forward "secondary issues", such as the proposal to decriminalise the vilification of religion, embryo freezing, and the banning of the burqa to the fore- front of public debate. "the real issues are government corruption, nepotism, clientelism, and politicians entering pre-elec- toral obligations," Busuttil said. the conference was also ad- dressed by imam Mohammed El sadi, theology lecturer Rene Camilleri, and Malta Humanist Association vice-president Ramon Casha. tdiacono@mediatoday.com.mt Simon Busuttil – 'PN has always been open to other religions'