PM highlights cultural policy to combat violent extremism

Addressing a commemorative roundtable conference on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said cultural policy was the key to make Maltese citizens more “responsible”.

Speaking at the Old University Building, Gonzi said different identities must thrive in communication and exchange with each other: “This must be ingrained in how we educate ourselves and our children. By increasing arts scholarship and investment in the infrastructure of the creative industries, the Maltese identity can thrive when culture is creative and open to exchange with other cultures.”

He said that whilst government has already spoken on the economic dimension of cultural policy, the economic exchange usually develops with other kinds of exchange. “It is important to us that this cultural policy can make Maltese citizens more responsible citizens of the world,” he said.

Speaking about the attacks which have claimed the lives of some 3,000 people of different nationalities, Gonzi said those killed were not the only casualties of the attack.

“There were other casualties: some blamed all religions for generating violent extremism. Islam, in particular, was target and turned into a caricature of itself. The diversity of societies came under threat as well, when particular communities, because of their religion or ethnic origin, were sometimes claimed to be a danger to the social fabric.”

Talking on Libya, Gonzi said the country will find in Malta a friend and a partner as it seeks to rebuild its society and overcome the traumas and destruction.

He also said that Malta should learn from the Libya conflict to develop its capacities to address conflicts and humanitarian crises in more institutionalized ways.

Addressing the conference were also the Australian High Commissioner Anne Quinane, US Chargé d’Affaires Richard Mills, Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi, Labour MP Evarist Bartolo, Malta’s Muslim community leader Imam Mohammed El Sadi, Chief Rabbi Admor HaCohen, Institute of Criminology Director Jacqueline Azzopardi and the Editor-in-Chief of Azizah Magazine Tayyiba Taylor.

The debate, chaired by social anthropologist Ranier Fsadni, highlighted the resilience of survivors and communities that experienced extremist attacks, as well as the effectiveness of non-violent political change and how to promote it as an alternative to violent ideologies.

Azzopardi said a way to face down extremism is to define community and to rethink about who to include in the concept of ‘we’ and ‘us’. He said that ‘trust’ strengthens resilience, where “ community members trust each other to resolve differences without necessarily relying on all the rights that the law gives them, let alone being tempted by recourse to violence.”

Azzopardi said that with globalization, local communities now also have a global dimension, which asks for the revisiting of the  ‘twinning’ of towns concept. “Is it too fanciful to imagine that such twinned towns would be more resistant to the language of hate and division, that their members are more likely to become ambassadors of dialogue and partnership?” Azzopardi said.

Speaking on Australia’s experience in counteracting terrorism, Quinane said that terrorism fails when societies remain together. “Having a diverse and inclusive society is one of Australia’s strengths. For example, we have a key interest in not allowing messages of hate divulging amongst our communities,” she said.

Quinane added education is the main key to teach individuals that peaceful protests should be chosen over violent ones.

The Chief Rabbi said human beings must come together and teach “love, not war”. “Jewish have long been suffering, so we know exactly what it means to be attacked. But we need to be patient and teach that hatred is not the answer. People are too busy thinking for themselves, when in reality all nations should be one,” he said.

Remembering those who died in terror attacks, Taylor said, “we cannot change the past, but we can choose how to react as we move forward. We can and must create a world where violence and murder can longer be considered as a solution to our disagreements.”

She added that whilst peace is “ambitious”, dissolving extremism can be attained by addressing political, social and economic issues: “Extremism does not happen in a vacuum.”

Bartolo said that it is not being done enough in education to address multiculturalism, whilst pointing out that the issue is not on Malta’s national agenda. “Social inclusion is not going to happen on its own. We need to address it.”

The Imam said that he feels “embarrassed” when he talks about the 9/11 attacks – “The perpetrators claim they are Muslims.” He added that “Islam was the main victim of the terrorist attack. It was hijacked and forcefully associated with terrorism. We became the target of discrimination and suspicion. For many we are terrorists, or terrorists-to-be. ”

Echoing the panelists, El Sadi said education is the main key for peace: “Ignorance generates fanaticism and extremism.” He also called on the European Union and the US to help Palestine establish peace and become an independent, democratic state.

Azzopardi also said that education was the key against extremism and added that students should be taught at a young age on how to be tolerant.

Recalling his own personal experience during the 9/11 attacks, Mills said that terror aims at creating fear and losing trust in those around you.