Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/887355
maltatoday SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER 2017 News 17 lies simply in the fact that he does not set out to "glorify the Order of St John or the Maltese or what- ever... I was more intent on bring- ing out the minor details which involved simple human beings fighting daily on the ground. Apart from also bringing out the human qualities and apprehensions which Süleyman had..." And indeed, the book does chart a character arc for Süleyman, tak- ing into account his initial opti- mism for the Siege and building a strong case as to why he would have planned it in the first place. Cassola in fact lays down three key reasons for Süleyman to have planned the Siege: economic, re- ligious, and related to pride and prestige. The first was down to the fact that, quite simply, the Knights "were proving to be a big thorn in the side of the Ottoman Empire since they were disrupt- ing the trade route between Istan- bul, Egypt and, consequently, the rest of the Maghreb area", all the while themselves being Christian "infidels" in his eyes. Furthermore, Cassola elaborates on how Süley- man was further irked by the news that Muslim slaves were appar- ently being treated abominably in Malta. "The Sultan's pride must have been well stung when the slaves suggested to him that it was pre- posterous that the leader of such a huge empire should be humiliated by such a small island that was causing so much damage to the Ottomans," Cassola writes. But intimate acquaintances also played their part. Drawing on a contemporary account by the his- toriographer Bali di Corregio, Cas- sola also reveals that Süleyman's favourite concubine Roxelana – who eventually became the Sul- tan's wife – was yet another voice lobbying for the invasion of Malta, "since [the Knights] were making it impossible for Muslims to travel on their sacred pilgrimage" as they would intercept their ships for plunder. "Roxelana was so resolute in her intent that when she died in 1558 she left a considerable sum of money that was to be utilised in what she considered to be a most holy and pious mission. This mis- sion was to destroy Malta," Cas- sola writes, commenting wryly that, "One can imagine that hav- ing his powerful wife continuously breathing down his neck could not have helped the Sultan to enjoy too many relaxing moments." In fact, Cassola notes a stark dif- ference between the Süleyman of 1522 who, having defeated the Knights that year, still showed mercy by giving them time to pack their bags and leave Rhodes with their lives intact. Clearly, seeing the commercial and diplomatic slights as one too many this time, Süleyman decided he wasn't play- ing Mister Nice Guy any more. "This time, his intention was to completely annihilate the mem- bers of the Order of St John, thus preventing them from setting up shop elsewhere to rebuild the prestige and power for which their Order had been renowned for cen- turies." However, we all know things didn't pan out as Süleyman hoped, and Cassola poignantly registers not only his dignified response to the ultimate defeat – "until a few months before his death, he was still awarding increases in salary and dishing out promotions to Ot- toman soldiers in reward for their participation in the Malta siege" – but also relays his sense of "in- security" when it becomes clear that the lines of communication between Malta are growing frayed, towards the tail end of the conflict that would define Maltese history forever. All in all, Cassola's book shows us a man of considerable ambition and resolute moral character, whose failed invasion of Malta did register as a temporary failure of military prowess but at the same time, far from undid his considerable stature as both a statesman, and a human being. "He was a veritable man of stat- ure, a just and compassionate con- queror, truly worthy of the nick- names that history has endowed him with: The Magnificent, in the western world and The Lawgiver ("Kanuni") in the Ottoman sphere of influence." Cutting away from the black-and- white narrative we're sometimes encouraged to swallow about the Siege, the publication encourages us to view some of the realpolitik behind the Siege, and in its bid to depict Süleyman's human side, to lead us to understand some of the rationales behind his actions. Above all, however, Cassola hopes that the book, like all good stories, will make "for an inter- esting read". And who can blame him? treljic@mediatoday.com.mt Employment part-financed by the European Union under the European Social Fund – European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER MINISTRY FOR HEALTH The Ministry for Health is seeking to recruit a Project Administrator for the Project: "ESF.02.053 - Developing Allied Health Capacity to Sustain Health Care Needs" Project Administrator Contract • Three year definite contract – 40 hours a week Qualifications and Experience • Be able to communicate in the English Language; • In possession of a recognised Master's qualification at MQF Level 7 (subject to a minimum of 60 ECTS/ECVET credits, or equivalent, with regard to programmes commencing as from October 2008) in either Public Administration or Management or Health Science or Social Science or EU/ International Affairs or a comparable professional qualification, plus one (1) year relevant work experience; OR • In possession of a recognised Bachelor's qualification at MQF Level 6 (subject to a minimum of 180 ECTS/ECVET credits, or equivalent, with regard to programmes commencing as from October 2003) in either Public Administration or Management or Health Science or Social Science or EU/ International Affairs or a comparable professional qualification plus three (3) years relevant work experience.. Interested persons are to submit their application together with a detailed Curriculum Vitae by not later than noon (Central European Time) of Friday, 27 th October, 2017. Applicants who are already in the Malta Public Service must produce a Service and Leave Record Form (GP 47); those applying from outside the Service must produce a Certificate of Conduct issued by the Police or other competent authority not earlier than one (1) month from the date of application and state whether they have ever been in Government Service, giving details. Applications should be addressed to: Resourcing and Employee Relations Directorate, Ministry for Health, Palazzo Castellania, 15, Merchants Street, Valletta VLT 1171 Website: https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt Fax number: +356 22992604 Email address: recruitment.health@gov.mt Applications can also be submitted through the Online Government Recruitment Portal on http://recruitment.gov.mt by the said closing time and date of this call for applications. More detailed information regarding the above job vacancy can be accessed from the Government website http://recruitment.gov.mt and Government Gazette issued on Friday, 13 th October 2017. The sole responsibility of this publication lies with the author. The European Union is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. from the other side Arnold Cassola – seeking a different perspective PHOTOGRAPHY BYJAMES BIANCHI