Rabat (Malta)

From Halal Explorer

St. Agatha catacombs Rabat is based in Malta. Rabat 1 - St. Paul's church

For the namesake town on Gozo island, see Victoria (Malta).

Rabat (Malta) Halal Travel Guide

Rabat means suburb in old Arabic and this is indeed because Rabat is the town lying outside the fortress of Mdina. The two towns used to be a single one until the Arabs dug a moat across the hill and fortified its tip creating Mdina. Rabat had walls of its own in Roman times but this can only be seen today in parts of the street pattern.

Travel to Rabat (Malta)

There are several buslines going to Rabat, from the main bus terminal in Valletta it should take about 35 mins. 53 Valletta-Rabat, 52 Valletta-Dingli (through Rabat), 51 Valletta-Mtarfa (through Rabat)

Rabat is also only a short walk from Mdina - through regular city streets with plenty of quaint buildings and homes. Simply exit the old capital's fortress walls and keep walking; soon enough, you'll be in Rabat.

Get Around

All the sights are within minutes walking distance of the busdepot located between Rabat and Mdina.

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 Rabat (Malta)

  • St. Pauls' church - Collegiate church of Street Paul - Also houses St. Paul's Grotto. Where the saint apparently lived after being shipwrecked on his way to being put on trial in Rome. Pope John Paul II visited this place of pilgrimage in 1990. One can take the underground passage from here to the Wignacourt Museum.
  • The Roman Museum - Domvs Romana - Houses the remains of a Roman villa. It lies in between Rabat and Mdina. This rebuilt Roman villa features mosaics and sculpture from the original house excavated on the site, along with artifacts and displays relating the Roman, Byzantine and Arab periods, from the 3rd century B.C. through the 10th century A.D.
  • The catacombs of St. Paul and St. Agatha - Early Christian underground cemeteries, particularly the latter is very interesting to visit. Earlier descriptions refer to a "grumpy tour guide", but by March 2022 there is a friendly one who makes a special effort with children!
  • The Wignacourt Museum - This was formerly Grand Master Wignacourt's palace, and is now a dusty but charming old-style museum. It now houses a mediocre local art collection on the ground floor and a slightly random collection of historic furniture and paintings upstairs. Do see the painting of Mary proferring her bared breast to her child with a strangely lascivicious look on her face. Also do visit the cellars of the museum which connect to another set of ancient catacombs and these have not been 'streamlined' for tourism like the other catacombs which make them particularly interesting.

Best things to do in Rabat (Malta)

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Rabat (Malta)

Of course there are the usual souvenir shops and the Roman Villa Souvenir Shop (on the junction near the Roman Museum) has a vast selection at reasonable prices (such as €3.50 for well-made large metal souvenirs rather than the usual plastic tat).

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Rabat (Malta)

Rabat (Malta) - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Rabat (Malta), is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Rabat (Malta). This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Rabat (Malta) 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 Rabat (Malta). 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 Rabat (Malta). Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inRabat (Malta): 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 Rabat (Malta).

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

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Rabat (Malta), 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 Rabat (Malta), 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 Rabat (Malta) and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Rabat (Malta), stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Rabat (Malta), 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 Rabat (Malta) 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 Rabat (Malta) 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 Rabat (Malta).

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Rabat (Malta) 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 Rabat (Malta), please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Rabat (Malta) Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

News & References Rabat (Malta)


Travel Next

To the south one can visit the Buskett gardens which is without a doubt the greenest place on Malta and the Inquisitor's palace and the quiet clifftop village of Dingli.


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