Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/627675
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 17 JANUARY 2016 10 News JURGEN BALZAN THE sight of some 500 Muslims praying in public in Msida has caused a stir in recent weeks and the organisers are well aware of the public's concerns. Freedom of worship is a right en- shrined in the Constitution but the reasons behind the Malta Muslim Council's decision to hold Friday prayers in public in Msida goes be- yond exercising their rights. Council spokesperson Bader Zi- na explained that the community has been desperately trying to hold prayers in regularised venues but the authorities have obstinately refused to grant planning permis- sions. "Over the years we have applied for planning permissions for a number of venues, with the lat- est being refused in August of last year," Zina said. Speaking to MaltaToday yester- day afternoon, Zina – a Maltese citizen – said that the council had filed an application for the change of use of a large garage in Sta Ven- era, but despite being given the green light by the MEPA case of- ficer, the permit was blocked after the local council objected to the change of use to turn the site into a multi-purpose hall. "The council filed two main ob- jections, namely the increase in traffic and because they deter- mined that the venue would be used as a mosque." He added that the Muslim coun- cil had a similar application turned down by MEPA some 10 years ago for the change of use of another venue, in St Paul's Bay. However, the final straw for the council came late last year when MEPA closed down a premises which was being used for prayers in Msida. "A few days before Christmas we were informed that the premises we were renting out in Msida would be closed down and we were even told that if this wasn't done within 15 days we would be fined," Zina said. He added that MEPA closed the place down despite previously in- forming the venue's owner that this would not happen. "Moreover, when we asked for some breathing space to allow us to apply for a change of use permit this was rejected." During talks with MEPA CEO Johann Buttigieg and officials from the social dialogue and civil liber- ties ministry, Zina was told that the garage was being closed down. "MEPA acted according to the country's laws and we have abso- lutely no problem with this," he said, adding that the Muslim coun- cil did not have time to apply for a change of use permit as this hap- pened over the Christmas holidays when MEPA was on shut-down. He added that the option to rent out existing multi-purpose halls is remote because of the limited spaces available and the prohibi- tive prices. The ministry has confirmed that it is in contact with the council but when asked whether the Msida gatherings highlight the need for further praying spaces it said that "it is not up to the ministry to as- sess such a need or otherwise." "In Malta, there are various reli- gious denominations that operate freely, and their right to freedom of religion is guaranteed. All are free to make use of their own or rent multi-purpose venues for purposes of religious functions." Asked why the council does not make use of the Paola mosque, he said that Muslims are obliged to pray five times a day and this must be done collectively. Muslims pray ordinarily at five particular times each day according to the sun's sky path and the Friday prayers are particularly important. This congregational prayer is held every Friday, just after noon. MARTINA BORG A budgetary measure introduced ostensibly to encourage people to lead active lifestyles, has some- what missed its mark as a number of sports facilities which benefit- ted from the measure have not cut prices, and in some cases, even raised them. The measure, which brought in a substantial reduction of VAT from 18% to 7% for "all sporting facilities, including gym mem- berships, fitness centres, football nurseries as well as other activi- ties," had the aim of encouraging people to engage in a healthy and active lifestyle, but the decision taken by some facility operators means that the measure may have been neutralised despite all its best intentions. Prime minister Joseph Muscat has made reference to the situa- tion in a series of addresses to the media, stressing that many were unaware of the potential injustice, after the finance ministry issued guidelines to operators to inform them of the new VAT rates on 4 January. In response to questions by this newspaper to some of the lead- ing sports facilities on the island, a couple, namely Sky Spirit Fit- ness Lounge and Cynergi said that new membership fees had been reduced accordingly at the begin- ning of the year. "We welcome the government's initiative and are very happy to play an active role in promoting healthy lifestyles in Malta," Cyn- ergi general manager Jim Harvey said. However, a number of other op- erators have taken something of a different approach, with some using the additional revenue for refurbishment and others still opting to offer their clients ad- ditional perks. Some operators even claimed they had not been informed how the initiative would play out. Le Meridien's Lotus fitness cen- tre, a boutique style gym, told MaltaToday that membership fees went up year on year, to allow op- erators to carry out the necessary refurbishment on a yearly basis re- gardless of anything else. "This year, we kept prices the same as last year's, and we used that extra bit of cash to carry out much needed refurbishment," general manager Alex Incorvaja told the newsroom, adding that the work would still ultimately benefit clients, as it would help them make better use of the facility. "Had it not been for the meas- ure, our prices would have gone up, but the VAT reduction means that we can keep the same prices," he explained. Budget measure promoting physical activity How other countries incentivise healthy and active lifestyles…. • Sweden, which along with its Scandinavian neighbours tops lists of most active countries globally, offers workplace incentives (tax relief or reimbursement) for employees in Sweden, and it offers employers financial incentives to allow them to fund employees to engage in certain (pre-defined) physical activities (for example, gym memberships) • In Finland, bicycle users are given a tax exemption and employers can support employees' self-directed (spontaneous) sports activities up to a stipulated value per person every year. Furthermore, collective sports activities can be arranged for employees as a tax-free benefit. Muslim community calls on authorities to grant permits for places of worship Some 500 Muslims gathered in Msida on Friday to hold the Jumu'ah prayer just after noon