Not a time to rejoice

It is uncalled for to state that Islam as practised in the majority of Moslem countries is a shining example of tolerance. It is not.

I am no Moslem basher, nor a Christian zealot.

But what I am saying is not something out of Mary Poppins, either.

In Sudan, Indonesia, Algeria, Saudi Arabia one encounters a fundamentalist religion which any civilised person finds difficult to stomach. From the little time I have spent in these places I can only vouch for the absolute hypocrisy of those who impose a medieval culture over their nation and then live a life out of a scene from the Carry On films.

No matter how politically understanding we wish to be, the reality is that one cannot run away from the fact that some of their customs would make sense in the eleventh century but little or none in today’s world.

So when Bush, Blair and others talk about a humane Islam, they are not only acting, but basically lying.

Western civilisation does not see eye to eye with most Moslem traditions. This is a fact.

There are Moslems who are reasonable, but these are usually the ones who are educated and have had a taste of western culture.

There is no doubt that Islam like Christianity in its earlier days was a hostile and militaristic religion. I am not saying that Islam is inferior to Christianity but in my view less palatable.

The Taliban are just the tip of this iceberg, and across the Moslem world we encounter a disposition to treat human rights with disdain.

How many Islamic countries father a democracy?

The facts are worrying to say the least.

Most religions are intolerant, the Christian religion had its own set of Hitlers and butchers.

Having said this, Arab culture over the years has provided this small world with colour, diversity and beauty.

I for one love North Africa and the Middle East but I am saddened by the poverty, the disease and the lack of human respect. I am also irritated by the way women are regarded as back burners and nothing else.

Wednesday morning and the phones rang. "Smajt, irnexxielek … "

I was not neutral about the conditioned departure of the Commissioner of Police.

I did not think that this was a time to rejoice. But I am in no mood for feeling sorry for the Commissioner, and I think the government should start cutting all its ties with this man.

We have taken an editorial policy here which is very different from the ones espoused by other commentators.

We were bombarded on Radio 101 by a Commissioner in Bill Clinton regalia saying we were inventing a story. He added that we were spurred on to this because of his success in the fight against criminality.

Hogwash.

We were catapulted into this story because any journalist worth his salt should ask pertinent questions about public figures under investigation for alleged sex abuse.

And we will not stop here, we will add that the police commissioner’s position as head of the security service was inappropriate in the circumstances.

In very simple words, we have no faith in George Grech and we see no reason why a political party should defend the man.

But since when is hanky panky acceptable to the Prime Minister. And where do we divide private from public lives? And for heaven’s sake let us not hear any silly, puerile comments from that dinosaur of a Press Club on ethics.

Now that this story is coming to a partial close, I will declare that from the onset. None of the judiciary served as a source to this story.

Mr Grech has hinted about unethical behaviour and naughtiness on the part of some magistrates and judges. Yes, we are all aware of this but it does not diminish the seriousness of the allegations or change our view of George Grech.

And when I talk of unacceptable behaviour among the judiciary I mean involvement with business and actions that are not dignified for a magistrate or judge. By actions I mean getting drunk, and having a problem with one’s zip.

And from the onset let me say that this is not a reference to all the magistrates or judges; the majority of which are upright and well-meaning individuals.

The government has little or no control over the actions of its magistrates and judges, the Depasquale affair was a snub that no one can possibly live with.

Austin Gatt who is respected for his ability to put words into deeds must consider reforming the judiciary, allowing for a body that is independent but also that guarantees that its members have no other vested interests.

The political class must not continue to participate in the choice of magistrates and judges but on the other hand it must create ways of injecting autonomy, dignity and respect into this institution.