Welcome to our special feature on cultural bridges and community voices. Today, we are hosting and spotlighting Malta Haber -“haber” meaning news in Turkish, a dynamic Turkish-language news portal serving the Turkish community in Malta. We’ll explore their mission, the vibrant Turkish presence on the islands, and the ties between Malta and Turkey.
Giving a Voice to a Community
Malta Haber is a crucial community platform that informs, connects, and empowers the Turkish diaspora in Malta. This news portal is operated by a committed team of four volunteers and led by Chief-editor Elif Ören Acar, who has called Malta home for the past 10 years.
Our goal is to deliver news to the Turkish community living in Malta without any language barriers. Malta Haber was established at the beginning of the pandemic to make it easier for the community to stay informed and integrate into society.
The Story Behind Malta Haber
1. Can you tell us the story behind Malta Haber Malta and what inspired its creation?
Malta Haber’s story is deeply personal and inspired by history. In 2020, during the early days of the pandemic and the long quarantine periods, Ziyahan Albeniz, the founder and current General Editorial Director of Malta Haber, started the platform as a hobby project. At the time, there were only about 500 Turkish residents living in Malta, yet the idea of creating a micro-news platform in Turkish took shape.
What inspired him was a Greek-language newspaper from Istanbul called Apoyevmatini. Founded in 1925, it is the last remaining Greek newspaper in Istanbul and celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The resilience and dedication of Apoyevmatini to serve a small community deeply resonated with Ziyahan, motivating him to create something similar for the Turkish community in Malta, even on a smaller scale.
For those who would like to read the whole story, follow this link.
2. What role does Malta Haber Malta play within the Turkish-speaking community in Malta?
Malta Haber serves as a vital platform for the Turkish-speaking community in Malta by providing news about what’s happening in the country, all in Turkish. For the past five years, it has continued its journey with a dedicated volunteer team, maintaining its commitment to publishing in Turkish and keeping the language alive.
3. What kind of content do you typically publish, and how do you decide what matters most to your audience?
Our team lives in Malta, so we naturally focus on creating content that resonates with the Turkish community here. Our priority is local news relevant to Turks in Malta, as well as news from Turkey that is particularly significant for those living abroad.
In addition to the daily work of our active Malta Haber team, we also collaborate with writers living in Malta who produce content in their own areas of expertise. We feature interviews and announcements with artists and craftsmen who have specialized in various fields of art or craft in Malta.
We also cover events organized by the Turkish community and highlight important happenings that matter to them. To support integration and address challenges, we’ve created the ‘Malta Life and Work Guide,’ which provides practical advice for living and working in Malta.Additionally, we’ve developed ExpatGPT, an AI-powered chat-bot trained primarily on content from our Malta Life and Work Guide, designed to answer any questions about life in Malta. We also run English writing workshops to help our community improve their skills.
A Growing Community and Cultural Exchange
4. How would you describe the Turkish community in Malta today?
Today, the Turkish community in Malta is vibrant and growing. According to the latest information, there are around 8,000 registered Turks living in Malta. Beyond that, Malta is a popular destination for Turks seeking English language education, summer vacations, and cultural tourism.
The community here has established its own markets, restaurants, and even a theater, and frequently organizes musical, artistic, and cultural events. I believe Malta’s proximity to Turkey, its English-speaking environment, and its Mediterranean lifestyle are key reasons why it’s such an attractive place for Turks to live and visit.
5. You’ve built a strong presence on social media, how has that helped you reach and engage with both the Turkish community and a wider audience in Malta?
For the past five years, we’ve been producing news and content tirelessly with a team of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about what we do. Along the way, we’ve learned and grown together. Social media has been an essential tool in helping us connect with the Turkish community in Malta and even reach a wider audience.
The preferences and feedback of Turks living in Malta, as well as the readership and engagement rates of our content, guide us in what we create. It’s incredibly rewarding to see that our efforts are appreciated and loved. Knowing that our hard work and dedication resonate with people gives us a great sense of pride.
6. In what ways have you seen interest in Turkish culture grow among Maltese locals or other expat groups?
While we primarily publish in Turkish, we’ve observed a growing interest in Turkish culture among both Maltese locals and other expat groups, partly due to the increasing presence of the Turkish community in Malta. We also have journalist friends working in other Maltese media outlets, and we occasionally exchange information and collaborate on stories. Whenever there’s an event, incident, or news involving Turks that gains attention in the Maltese press, we work together to share accurate information.
One of the most significant instances of collaboration with the Maltese media was the tragic murder of Pelin Kaya on January 18, 2023. Pelin was a young, educated, and beautiful woman who had built a modest life for herself in Malta. On her 30th birthday, she was brutally killed by someone who had gone out with the intent to harm. This heartbreaking event deeply affected both the Turkish and Maltese communities. During this time, the Maltese press and people stood by us, offering their support and solidarity, which we will always remember and appreciate.
7. What challenges do Turkish nationals face when settling in Malta?
One of the biggest challenges for Turkish nationals coming to Malta is undoubtedly the visa process. Obtaining a visa can be quite difficult, and renewing it often comes with similar stress and complications.
A recent case shared by Elif Ören Acar highlights how administrative challenges can profoundly affect individuals and families. A Turkish national, employed as a KEI Professional, was in the midst of renewing his work permit and was in possession of a temporary blue paper while awaiting his new ID card. During this period, a close family member passed away, and he urgently needed to travel home. Despite multiple attempts to contact Identità Malta for assistance or travel authorisation, his efforts were met with silence. The issue remained unresolved until the case was publicised on social media and Identità Malta was tagged. Only then did the authorities respond; the applicant was promptly contacted, collected his ID card the next day, and was finally able to travel. Although the issue was eventually resolved, it resulted in significant emotional distress and unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles.
This incident not only underscores the systemic challenges faced by non-EU nationals, but also raises serious concerns about the protection of basic human rights when individuals are left without timely access to essential documentation, even in urgent and compassionate circumstances.
Building Bridges and Collaborations
8. How can individuals or organizations collaborate with Malta Haber Malta?
Both our team members and writers join us on a voluntary basis, and we welcome anyone who shares our values and passion for creating something meaningful.
Our doors are always open to individuals who bring positivity and inspiration, as well as to organizations doing impactful and admirable work. We’re always happy to collaborate with those who align with our vision and contribute to the community.
At Malta Haber, our mission is to serve truth, fairness, and the greater good.
9. How can people support your work or get involved with your community efforts?
As Malta Haber, we are an accredited news organization by the Department of Information and operate entirely on a voluntary basis. For the past 5 years, we have been consistently producing news and content every single day. Those who believe they can contribute or wish to join our team are welcome to reach out to us. You can also support us by following our accounts.
10. What message would you like to send to Turkish people considering a move to Malta?
Malta is a charming country with a very small land area but a rich culture and warm, friendly people. Summers are long and hot, making it an enjoyable place to live. While there are challenges such as traffic, high housing costs, and a steadily growing population, life in Malta is still a unique and rewarding experience.
More Than News
Malta Haber is more than just a news outlet- it’s a community lifeline built on shared language, culture, and connection. In just a few short years, it has become a trusted voice for thousands of Turkish speakers in Malta. Through their dedication to honest reporting, inclusion, and cultural exchange, the Malta Haber team is quietly building stronger ties between Malta and Turkey, one story at a time.
If you’re interested to share your story with us, please reach out via our contact form or connect with us on social media through Facebook and Instagram.
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