Mdina

Mdina is a small city in Malta and its former capital.

Mdina Halal Explorer

Malta Mdina BW 2011-10-05 13-41-26 - Entrance to Mdina

L'Mdina (pronounced em-dee-nah) means fortified place in Arabic and was first created as such by the Romans when they separated it from the rest of the town which became Rabat (which means Suburb) and fortified it. This place was already the principal settlement of Malta however since Phoenician times and hence can claim a legacy of 3000 years. Up until the Knights arrived in the mid 1500s it was the former capital and the Maltese aristocracy lived there (some, like the Inguanez family still do uninterrupted for over 6 centuries), and the local governing organ called the Universita was housed there. Up until this day it is the seat of the Maltese bishop and the Mdina cathedral still takes precedence over the co-cathedral of St. John.

As the knights chose Birgu (Vittoriosa) as their new capital the Great Siege of 1565 by the Turks was directed there and not at Mdina. The Turkish army passed by Mdina and could have easily taken the crumbling bastion which only had a small group of local soldiers and local residents fit to guard it to stop them. A local nun had a vision however that called for a great procession praising god, and so every person in the town was dressed up and paraded around the top of the walls for hours giving the impression to the Turks that Mdina was full to the brim with defenders, and so they left it alone.

This decision proved fateful because just as the Turks had breached the main gate of Birgu a small band of Maltese rode down from Mdina, and started torching the deserted camp of the Turks making them think that they were being attacked from the rear and causing them to retreat in a panic. The breach was fixed and after that reinforcements from Europe finally arrived and the Turks were defeated. There is still a small chapel in Mdina in honour of this nun whose vision changed the course of European history.

Under the knights and even more so under the British the importance of Mdina as the seat of power faded steadily, and what was once known as the 'Citta Notabile' became the 'silent city', almost a ghost town. Today most of the palazzos belonging to the old aristocracy are being restored and the tourists bring life to the place, but there are only 400 inhabitants left.

Travel to Mdina

Buses run from Valletta (30 minutes), Sliema, and Street Julians (45 or longer depending on traffic).

Get Around

Only inhabitants are allowed to take cars within the city walls, most streets are too narrow in any case, and it takes less than 10 minutes to walk from one end of the town to the other.

Islam in Malta

Malta - Paola - Triq Kordin - Mosque 07 ies - Malta - Paola - Triq Kordin - Mosque

Islam in Malta has had a historically profound influence upon the nation—especially its language and agriculture—as a consequence of several centuries of control and presence on the islands. Today and the main Muslim organizations represented in Malta are the Libyan World Islamic Call Society and the minority Ahmadiyya.

In modern times, Malta's unique culture has enabled it to serve as Europe's "bridge" to the Arab cultures and economies of North Africa.

After independence from the United Kingdom in 1964, Libya became an important ally of socialist Maltese leader Dom Mintoff. History books were published that began to spread the idea of a disconnection between the Italian and Catholic populations, and instead tried to promote the theory of closer cultural and ethnic ties with North Africa. This new development was noted by Boissevain in 1991:

...the Labour government broke off relations with NATO and sought links with the Arab world. After 900 years of being linked to Europe, Malta began to look southward. Muslims, still remembered in folklore for savage pirate attacks, were redefined as blood brothers.

Malta and Libya also entered into a Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, in response to repeated overtures by Gaddafi for a closer, more formal union between the two countries; and, for a brief period, Arabic had become a compulsory subject in Maltese secondary schools.

The Islamic Centre of Paola, was founded in 1978 by the World Islamic Call Society, together with a Muslim school called the Maryam al-Batool school. In 1984 the Mariam Al-Batool Mosque was officially opened by Muammar Gaddafi in Malta, two years after its completion.

Mario Farrugia Borg, later part of the personal office of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, was the first Maltese public officer to take an oath on the Koran when co-opted into the Qormi local council in 1998.

In 2003, of the estimated 3,000 Muslims in Malta, roughly 2,250 were foreigners, roughly 600 were naturalised citizens, and roughly 150 were native-born Maltese.

By 2010 and there were roughly 6,000 Muslims in Malta—most of whom are Sunni and foreigners and it is estimated that by 2022 the number of Muslims increased to around 10,000.

Halal Food & Restaurants in Malta

With over 5,500 Muslims in Malta, Muslims looking for Halal food will be able to locate a variety of restaurants, most of which are located in Valetta. Cuisines ranging from Moroccan, (Turkish), North African, Indian and Italian, to traditional Maltese, can be found at the several Halal restaurants found here. Some of these restaurants include:

Moo's Kebab Turkish Restaurant Fast Food, Mediterranean
Ali Baba Lebanese, Mediterranean
Kebab ji
Falafel Street - “Great shawarma at a great price”
Kebab Factory Qawra “Great Take Away experience” “Very decent”
Nargile Lounge
Sultan y- Halal Kebab and pizza “Best Lamb & Chicken Kebab On The Island...”
House Of Spice “Tasty Indian food - British family from Yorkshire”

What to see in Mdina

The town itself is a joy to stroll around in, many of the alleys really give the sense that nothing has changed here for more than a millennium since the Arabs were here. The main attractions are the cathedral whose design inspired many of the other churches in Malta and the cathedral museum. The view from the city walls makes it plain why this site was chosen in ancient times, one has a commanding view over most of the island from here.

Street Paul's Gothic Church - Metropolitan Gothic Church - Built after the earthquake of 1693 destroyed the original 12th century Norman structure. Like the Gothic Church of St. John in Valletta its floor is covered with intricately inlaid marble gravestones belonging to Maltese aristocracy. Also interesting is the impressive wallpainting at the back of the cathedral depicting the shipwrecking of st Paul on Malta. Interestingly the face has two clocks (one for time and one for date). There is an apocryphal (though much repeated and widely published) story that the reasoning was to have one clock which showed the correct time and one which serves to confuse the devil.

Gothic Church museum - The quaint cathedral museum houses a variety of different small collections. Perhaps the most important is a beautiful set of woodcut prints The Life of the Virgin by Albrecht Dürer. Furthermore it has a collection of the cathedral's attributes and a tiny display on the 19th century priests who took the first initiative to develop Maltese in a written form. Amazingly, as it was never in the colonial power's interest and the Maltese had to do without writing in their own language since the Arabs left in the 11th century. The entire archive of the inquisition in Malta, which was only banned by Napoleon the day he invaded, is kept here, but is unfortunately not on public display. If you come with serious credentials you may be able to persuade Father Michael to show them to you.

National Museum of Natural History - Situated in an eighteenth century palace, designed in Parisian Baroque style this museum covers various topics such as Maltese Geology and Palaeontology, exotic mammals, marine fauna, insects, shells and birds and other topics like human evolution.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Mdina

Mdina005 - Wandering the back streets of Mdina

Walk around and take random turns in the maze-like alleys and the place is so small getting lost won't have you wandering for more than 2 minutes.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Mdina

Mdina - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Mdina, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Mdina. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Mdina and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Mdina. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Mdina. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inMdina: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Mdina.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Mdina: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Mdina, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Mdina.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Mdina, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Mdina, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Mdina and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Mdina, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Mdina, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Mdina without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Mdina is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Mdina.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Mdina is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Mdina, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Mdina Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Xara Palace - The only hotel inside the city walls, located in a beautiful 17th century palazzo, it is arguably more exclusive than the Phoenicia in Valetta making it the most exclusive in Malta, a suite with its own hot tub on the roof with a view over the entire country is, of course, hard to beat.