Islamic Solidarity withdraws Luqa mosque application 'for common good'
The group behind the application said it wanted to achieve harmony with local residents
A controversial application for a mosque in Ħal Farruġ industrial estate has been “withdrawn” following the quiet intervention of Imam Mohammad Elsadi.
The Islamic Solidarity in Malta announced on Thursday it was withdrawing the application “for the common good”.
“In view of the objection of Luqa Local Council to the project and considering our great keenness to achieve this spiritual and cultural urgent need in consense and harmony with the local residents, we announce that we will withdraw our application,” the group behind the application said.
The Imam revealed he had contacted Zakaria Alkhatib, president of the Islamic Solidarity in Malta, “a few days ago” to discuss the issue.
In a post on his Facebook page, Imam Elsadi thanked the ISM “for their understanding and cooperation and their sincere efforts to serve the Muslim community in Malta” after they announced they would withdraw the application.
Two days ago, Alkhatib had filed fresh, reduced plans for the project which had drawn widespread criticism from the local community when the application was first submitted in 2022.
In December 2025, the Luqa Local Council had unanimously agreed that the development of the mosque on the edge of town “should not go ahead” and the Planning Authority case officer had recommended the application should be turned down.
The council had suggested the site earmarked for the mosque should be used for a project that would serve the local community better, such as a trade school “which is sorely needed”.
The project included the demolition of two huts on a largely vacant plot on a site spanning a total of 2,152 square metres. The bulk of the development was originally planned over two floors with the highest point of the proposed minaret reaching 15 metres.
Hailing the news, PL candidate on the sixth district, Omar Rababah said he had worked “behind the scenes, with the local community” to help convince Alkhatib to withdraw the application. He highlighted councillor Matthew Spiteri who "stood by him" throughout this work.
In a Facebook post, Rababah, whose candidacy with the PL drew a slew of Islamophobic abuse, insisted he was “never involved in any Planning Authority application regarding a mosque in Luqa”.
“They said a lot. They invented a lot. An entire campaign of demonisation was carried out against me,” he said.
“I remained calm, worked behind the scenes, listened to residents, spoke with the Local Council and took action.”
Speaking to Times of Malta, Rababah said the “most important thing for me is that I respected the views of my constituents; that is my role as a candidate”.