Monthly Archives: December 2011

The Maldives are a group of 1100 or so islands with around 300.000 inhabitants that rely heavily on tourism. The state religion is Sunni Islam, other faiths may not be practiced. There is no Shariah in the Maldives, women are allowed to work, music may be played in the streets, and alcohol can be bought. The region is currently experiencing a push towards a more literal interpretation of Islam, and 3000 supporters of the so-called “Justice Party” protested in the capital Male a few days ago, requesting from the moderate president to halt “anti-islamic activities”, and to introduce Shariah, including stoning and amputations. They also want all alcohol banned, and massage parlors closed, as well as statues demolished that were left as gifts from some foreign countries on the occasion of a recent South Asia summit. The government has already bowed to the pressure, and has ordered spa and wellness areas in hotels to be closed down. Can’t have tourists with soft muscles all over the place, after all (The Islamists actually argue that the parlors are places where prostitution takes place).

It requires religious fanaticism to ask for music not to be played in the open, and for amputation of limbs to be carried out on human beings for petty crimes. I had the Maldives on my list of things to see, but not anymore.