Maldives police to remove ‘idols’ from resort

Almost 30 sculptures are part of a semi-submerged gallery at the Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi that has made headlines around the world.

But the artwork has been criticised by religious scholars and politicians who deem human-form sculptures to be anti-Islamic and, in July, the President’s Office ordered the artwork to be removed. The artwork is still at the resort, almost two months later.

“We want to inform the Maldivian citizens that if the resort doesn’t obey the order within the given time, police and soldiers will work together to do it,” police spokesman Ahmed Shifan declared at a press conference.