Maltese Muslims and their experience of living in a Roman Catholic state

Abstract

This qualitative study aims to explore the interplay between national and ethnic identity of Maltese Muslims. Four semi-structured interviews were conducted with Maltese Muslims. The data obtained was analysed using thematic analysis and generated three global themes. The results obtained show that the female participants experience discrimination, especially because they wear the ‘hijab’ and according to most participants Maltese people do not make the distinction between being Muslim and being Arab. Therefore they think that Maltese society discriminates Arabs rather than Muslims. It was also recognized that male participants do not experience discrimination as much, because they have nothing visible that identifies them as Muslim like the female participants; although when people learn that they are Muslim they have experienced some kind of hostility. Participants believe that both their ethnic identity and national identity have shared values and these are the criteria that are most important. For them, to be Maltese means that a person is free and that it is important to value family and friends and that most people like to spend time with those dear to them. Islam is something that helps them be a better person. Throughout the interviews all participants expressed that they feel they belong to both groups and are comfortable in a country that is Roman Catholic.