Maldives Reverses Closures of "Prostitution' Spas ... It Was The Opposition Party's Idea!

The Maldives has overturned a decision made last week to shut down all spas and health centres in resorts, President Mohamed Nasheed has declared.

BBC

The ban followed allegations by an opposition Islamist party that spas were being used for prostitution.

President Nasheed said that he has asked the Supreme Court to decide whether operating spas is against the principles of Islam.

The ruling could be critical to the Maldives' tourist economy.

The islands are a popular destination for wealthy honeymooners and celebrities where luxury rooms can cost up to $12,000 (£7,700) a day.

"We have lifted the ban and all the services will be available for tourists," President Nasheed told Reuters news agency. "We wanted to give confidence to tourists."

The president said that he had ordered the ban in response to calls by the main opposition party, which claimed the spas were fronts for prostitution and led to the spread of drugs and alcohol to locals in the mainly Sunni Muslim nation.

Read More Here

Maldivians Defend Islam by Closing All Spas

Tourism Ministry issues circular to close spas and massage parlors

MiniVan News

After thousands of protesters gathered last Friday and demanded the government “close the spas and massage parlors and such places where prostitution is conducted”, the Tourism Ministry has today published a circular asking all the resorts to shut down their spas and massage parlors.

Press Secretary for the President Mohamed Zuhair today confirmed to Minivan News that the Tourism Ministry had issued the circular.

The circular informs that the government has decided to shut down all the spas and massage parlors in accordance with demands made by the general public during last Friday’s protest to “defend Islam.”

Speaking at a press conference held yesterday, Zuhair said the protesters did not specify where exactly the prostitution was conducted but mentioned that prostitution was conducted inside spas and massage parlors.

He said the government does not know how to differentiate between the spas and massage parlors that are complicit with prostitution and those which are not.

Therefore, Zuhair said the government has decided to shut down all such locales because Maldivians, including high-profile individuals, have been visiting tourist resorts and having spa treatments.

Read More Here