Letters to the editor – June 22, 2026

Reprieve from demolition and excavation work 

Marie Louise Cilia of St Julian’s writes:

I am just wondering: Is Xummiemu still at work? 

Today is the official day that demolition and excavating works stop until September 15 and this thanks to respect towards tourists.

Demolition and excavation works are to stop until mid-September in certain areas. File photo: Jonathan Borg

In Ross Street, St Julian’s, we have experienced four demolitions and excavations. I wonder who is responsible for hosing down our street now. We have had to put up with noise and dust for far too long. 

Can we have a break and be able to open our windows and breathe some clean, dust-free air? 

Is the local council responsible to take action?

Thanks for any action that is taken by whoever is responsible.

A dark future

Alan Cooke of Gżira writes:

Xenophobia is increasingly in the news all over the western world and beyond it. Formed from two Greek words, it is usually taken to mean dislike, or even hatred, of strangers.

In Greek, however, whether ancient or modern, xenos means not only a stranger or enemy but also a guest, someone deserving hospitality and even friendship. Phobia indicates not hatred but fear, which may or may not be justified.

As a foreigner settled in Malta, I can imagine the outrage that would be caused if UK citizens suddenly found that God was in future to be referred to and addressed as Allah and Lent, the time of fasting and self-denial before Easter, was in future to be called something rather like Ramadan. Both these things, however, are completely taken for granted in Malta and nobody bats an eyelid. Many personal and place names in Malta, such as Gżira, where I live, are also in widespread use by people of Muslim heritage.

Can we go beyond fear of the unfamiliar to welcome strangers to do jobs that westerners are increasingly unable or unwilling to do? If not, then our future is indeed a dark one.