Maldives bans Christmas celebrations at guesthouses
“[A]s activities such as celebrating Christmas are contrary to Islam and the Maldives’ culture and traditions, celebrating Christmas in any inhabited island is not allowed under Maldivian law,” reads the letter signed by the home minister to local councils.
24 Dec 2015, 9:00 AM
The government has banned Christmas celebrations in guesthouses operating on inhabited islands, saying the practice is contrary to Islam and Maldivian culture.
The Local Government Authority – chaired by Home Minister Umar Naseer – sent a letter to the presidents of island and atoll councils as well as the mayors of Malé and Addu cities today asking the councils to inform guesthouse owners not to conduct any celebratory activities for tourists tomorrow.
The letter noted that the current period is the peak season for the tourism industry and that it has come to the LGA’s attention that “tourists are carrying out activities to celebrate Christmas in the Maldives.”
“However, as activities such as celebrating Christmas are contrary to Islam and the Maldives’ culture and traditions, celebrating Christmas in any inhabited island is not allowed under Maldivian law,” reads the letter signed by the home minister.
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