emirates7 - Anasy Media, in partnership with the Embassy of Malta in the UAE, hosted a lecture under the “Discussion Hour” Majlis series titled “Il-Kantilena: The Arabic Roots in the Maltese Language and the Arab-Islamic Era in Malta.”
The session, led by Maria Camilleri Calleja, the Ambassador of Malta to the UAE, offered an insightful journey into Malta’s linguistic development and its historical ties to the Arab-Islamic world.
Among the distinguished attendees were Sheikha Alyazia bint Nahyan bin Mubarak, Ambassador Extraordinary for Arab Culture at the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO), alongside Lady Ambassadors, members of the Diplomatic Group for Spouses of Ambassadors in the UAE, as well as scholars, cultural figures, and regular participants of the Majlis.
At the heart of the lecture was Il-Kantilena—the earliest known literary work in the Maltese language, dating back to the 15th century. Though written in Latin script, the poem is regarded as a vital linguistic artifact, showcasing the early Maltese language, which was then known as lingua arabica due to its strong Semitic roots in both sound and structure. Ambassador Camilleri Calleja highlighted how this poem illustrates the intersection of Malta’s Semitic origins and its evolving European character.
Beyond the linguistic discussion, the Ambassador delved into the historical period of Arab-Islamic rule in Malta, which lasted from around 870 to 1091 AD. This era left a profound and enduring influence on Malta’s language, culture, and national identity—an impact that still resonates in the Maltese identity and its role within the broader Euro-Mediterranean context.
The session, led by Maria Camilleri Calleja, the Ambassador of Malta to the UAE, offered an insightful journey into Malta’s linguistic development and its historical ties to the Arab-Islamic world.
Among the distinguished attendees were Sheikha Alyazia bint Nahyan bin Mubarak, Ambassador Extraordinary for Arab Culture at the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO), alongside Lady Ambassadors, members of the Diplomatic Group for Spouses of Ambassadors in the UAE, as well as scholars, cultural figures, and regular participants of the Majlis.
At the heart of the lecture was Il-Kantilena—the earliest known literary work in the Maltese language, dating back to the 15th century. Though written in Latin script, the poem is regarded as a vital linguistic artifact, showcasing the early Maltese language, which was then known as lingua arabica due to its strong Semitic roots in both sound and structure. Ambassador Camilleri Calleja highlighted how this poem illustrates the intersection of Malta’s Semitic origins and its evolving European character.
Beyond the linguistic discussion, the Ambassador delved into the historical period of Arab-Islamic rule in Malta, which lasted from around 870 to 1091 AD. This era left a profound and enduring influence on Malta’s language, culture, and national identity—an impact that still resonates in the Maltese identity and its role within the broader Euro-Mediterranean context.