The Ministry of Economic Development will not renew individual liquor permits, according to State Minister Adhil Saleem, and new regulations governing the sale of alcohol will still apply minus the controversial clause permitting the sale of alcohol on inhabited islands.
The Ministry will continue to honour existing licenses until they expired, Adhil said.
“They were issued in increments of six months to a year,” he explained. “After that there will be no access to liquor on any inhabited island in the Maldives, be it by expats, resort staff, or whoever.”
The exception, he confirmed, were UN staff and diplomats who were governed by international conventions, making “the Maldives and Saudi Arabia the only countries effectively banning the availability of liquor for non-Muslims.”
State Minister for Islamic Affairs Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said there was scope for alcohol to be sold to non-Muslims in an Islamic state, and said comparisons with Saudi Arabia were false because alcohol was readily available to non-Muslims at resorts and the Hulhule Island Hotel (HIH) on the airport island.
“The tourism industry has sold alcohol [to non-Muslims] for a long time,” he explained. “But it is a concern to open bars in [wider Maldivian] society. Maldivians do not want to have bars near schools and mosques, not because they are angry towards non-Muslim expatriates. Teachers and doctors are respected members of society.”
Shaheem observed that even in countries like Malaysia and Qatar where alcohol was sold, bars were not permitted near schools and mosques.
“The Ministry for Economic Development did not discuss this with us, and we are supposed to be a unity government.”
Adhil agreed that as the Holiday Inn was located near a school, parliament and the Centre for the Holy Qur’an, “I don’t think it will have a license to sell liquor any time soon.”
Prohibition black markets
While the government had effectively banned alcohol from inhabited islands with the removal of both the individual licenses and the new regulations, Adhil noted that “the demand [for alcohol] has not gone. There is big demand from the country’s 100,000 non-Muslim expatriates.”
The resorts and HIH near Male’ were not an option for many expatriates on salaries of less than US$1000 a month, he explained.
“The resorts will be fine for accountants and managers who can afford the boat ride and the sale price at resort bars,” Adhil said. “And those who used to drink alcohol with dinner now have a 20 minute boat ride to HIH. It is like Australia sending Maldivian or Indian expatriates to Tasmania when they want to chew betel nut.”
Adhil claimed the issue would trigger a problem of law enforcement “when [alcohol] is somehow smuggled through. We have not done anything to dampen the demand and we cannot hope to plug the supply – that has never been achieved anywhere in the world.”
He suggested that beyond organising protests, “the scholars have not addressed the issue of demand. They need to go to the street corners and make the non-Muslim expatriates listen.”
He said he doubted many expatriates were even aware of the new arrangements.
Development paths
Shaheem emphasised that neither the Adhaalath party nor the Islamic Ministry were “against tourism, the economy or development.”
“My concern was also that radical groups might have used [the new regulations] as an excuse for an attack, and this would have caused the economy to go down along with the number of foreigners visiting [the Maldives].”
Shaheem noted that he had recently returned from a trip to the UK where he attended discussions on counter-terrorism with a range of relevant authorities, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Cabinet Office, Home Office and heads of counter-terrorism in the Justice Ministry.
“There was a lot of discussion around how to fight ideologies and radical ideas,” he explained.
Adhil said he felt the Ministry’s regulations had been “deliberately misrepresented on account of political interests”, in a push to introduce non-alcohol tourism and “wipe alcohol from the country altogether.”
What would likely happen, he predicted, was that island communities would make their own development decisions “without blanket regulations.” Herathera resort, he noted by way of example, is only separated from an inhabited island “by a recently dug canal.”
“What this does mean is that the government’s plans for development, as set out by the MDP, including schools, transport networks, and healthcare, won’t be achievable in 5-10 years. The Maldives public has to realise this, because otherwise we’ll be depending on Saudi Arabia to achieve progress before 2060.”
Shaheem however suggested there was extensive potential for the Maldives to develop “cultural tourism” on inhabited islands.
“A lot of hotels, such as the Intercontinental in Medina, are without alcohol,” he explained. “What about developing alcohol-free resorts; Islamic tourism, just like Islamic banking?”
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Well, I'm confused.
I was told today by an expat, that some of his friends had tried to renew their liquor licenses at the end of 2009, but were told they could not as the scheme was being stopped.
So is this new news ? When did the law come into place ? And why was it not better publicised at the time ?
Or am I confusing 2 separate issues ?
Mr. Shaheem,
Would you find a single investor to open such an 'Islamic' resort and operate it? What you are saying is not possible. You have done no research, you dont use your brain! Maldives is not Saudi Arabia where people from all parts of the world visit for cultural/religious reasons. What does Maldives has to offer? Westerners come here to relax. Alcohol is part of their life and part of their relaxation. Without it, they are not coming here. They have other destinations to choose. You guys are just ignorant and you are going to ruin the Maldives and its economy. Stop this madness!!
Every time someone who does business talks about Saudi businessmen, they think "rich" or "oil".
So why not start to introduce Islamic Resorts?.. and the Maldives Government should give incentives to those that wants to promote this new concept to attact the middle east market. Face it, Europe is in a crises and we expect more of it in the future. But there are plenty of rich people in the middle east due to its high oil revenues.
It is inaccurate and irresponsible of State Minister Adil Saleem to compare Saudi Arabia and Maldives and says except diplomatic staff, the Maldives and Saudi Arabia the only countries effectively banning the availability of liquor for non-Muslims.
Even if you banned liquor permits to expatriates in Maldives, liquor still would be available to non-Muslims on almost 100 resorts and more than hundreds of safari boats.
Well, in the US and Australia, there are different set of laws for natives on so called reserves, why can’t we have that for our people. Even now tourists could only visit inhabited islands during the day and could not spend a night without a permit from the authorities. Still on some islands these rules exist, not abolished, no different from so called reserves.
this is religious persecution of people of other faiths, a violation of human rights for foreigners who constitute more than 1/3 of population. talk about bigotry when we accuses the french of religious discrimination over the burka issue and the swiss people for their opposition for minarets at mosque..we are walking the path of intolerance, preaching xenophobia at schools, on the pulpit, on the tv, the fundamentalists will rub and lick this wound till we reach our breaking point, freedom of conscience and freedom of religion is what our prophet preached and he was cast out of mecca by intolerant arabs who later were conquered by the very people they persecuted..but the arab customs and values continues to cast an ugly shadow over a universal way of life preached by mohamed, which is compatible with all the cultures of the world, one doesnt have to be an arab to be a muslim ,if only we can learn from history, when Mohamed (PBUH) was cast out he was helped by the chritian king of ethiopia, and lived amongst the jews, but disturbances created the seed of evil that continues to haunt the middle east today..disharmony is not religious, and its not part of religion, we must respect other faiths and culture but at the same time preserve out culture which is based on hospitality from time immemorial, maldives will and continue to be a place for tourists, its a part of being maldivian is about.
Dear Mr Shaheem,
1. What exactly would you market for the tourists under 'cultural tourism' in Maldives?
2. How do you know that alchohol is not available in Intercontinental Medina? Is is because you tried to get it and couldn't get it even through a bell boy there?
3. What exactly is Islamic tourism? And can you tell me what a male and a female tourists visiting Maldives will see, do, and get in Maldives?
Boy, I am so tired of you!
I support this decision. Seems like even though the liquor permits will not b renewed, Adil was among those who opposed the move. That is why he has gone to great lengths to exaggerating certain things.
-100000 non-muslim expats? I have heard that almost 70% of expats in the Maldives r Bangladeshis a vast majority of whom are Muslim.
-I do not believe that those who leave their families and loved ones and come here to the Maldives and earn less than $1000 would want to spend their hard-earned money on drinking even if licenses were given. Unless of course they had clients of their own.
-What does renewing liquor licenses have to do with government’s plans for development? May be he just had a portion of the forbidden drink before giving the interview.
Even if people attack Shaheem for proposing "Islamic Tourism," that does not negate that fact that he is becoming an extremely capable and prominent politician.
Not only is he developing and molding his potential power base, he is able to do it in accordance with internationally recognized standards of moderation (namely promoting non-violence).
My disagreement with him is over two issues: that conservatism propagates extremism. (Though can sometimes be constrained by it) And Secondly, that I believe it was inappropriate for him to lead a demonstration against the Government's current economic development strategy, while he was a State Minister.
Regardless of this, Shaheem is becoming an incredible politician. He offers a unique vision for Maldivian progress. And though it does base itself in Middle Eastern (and inherently semi-nondemocratic) ideologies, it is a vision that resonates with the core of many Maldivians across the nation. He will utilize all the concerted conservative movements of the past to fashion a semi-moderate conservatism throughout this nation. And its absolutely brilliant philosophy.
What is more is that it can be achieved through the current democratic framework.
Though I do disagree with him profoundly, in both ideology and action, I have a tremendous amount of respect for his political prowess.
Alcohol is regulated to uphold the social values and morals of Maldives. We are proud to see Adil Saleem upholding and defending such values. Others should follow his example..
We have a mind set that tourism is the only viable industry for us. This is wrong. Tourism might be an easy way to get money (like oil for arab countries).
To Muad MZ,
It would be nice if you once think with your brain other than thinking with your d**k. There is no such thing as Islamic Tourism or Jewish Tourism for that matter. It seems to me that your brain is twisted and screwed. People like you and Shaheem are ultimately going to destroy the Maldives and our way of life.
Our economy is heavily dependent on Western tourism. Arabs will not visit Maldives, instead they will go to places like New York, London and Amsterdam to spend their money on booze and high class hookers.
Do you know where all Arab rich people flock in summer? Every other person in London Oxford Street, Harrods and Selfridge is an Arab during summer months. Maldives does not have anything to offer to an Arab, other than what you have already banned substance liquor.
People like you have only brought bad name to one of the greatest religion of the world. Because of your naming and segregating view moderate people and tourists will stay away from anything "Islamic". You have hijacked the religion. Allah will not forgive you all and what you and half baked scholars for abusing the God and religion, out fear in innocent peoples mind.
I bet prophet Mohamed (SWT) will be turning in his grave because people like you have made such huge lies in his name.
God bless you all.
As a ‘foreigner’ who spent three years in the Maldives, I am saddened by the turn of events in your small, beautiful nation. The underlying factor is that Maldives has quickly developed into a xenophobic nation and the issue of liquor permits is just but one ways of trying to make it harder for the so called expatriates. For those throwing stones without thinking, here is a reality. The monthly quota of liquor granted to ‘expats’ isn’t in reality worthy selling. I doubt if any expatriate would take the trip to Hulhule, queue under the simmering heat, wait for customs officials to verify that s/he got the measly monthly share of booze, carry the ‘precious’ liquid to the ferry, make sure it is well hidden so that its sight does not offend pure Maldivians (my daughters used to ask me why we had to hide it, was it because Maldivians would go blind at the sight of liquor?) and then upon reaching Male s/he sells the liquor. For what? Profit? Really?! Coming from a country where some wine is a must during every meal, how in the world would I then sell the three bottles of wine I was allowed to have a month?! If my wife and I had a glass after every meal, the three mealy bottles lasted us only one week. And when you consider beer – what is 60 cans a month for someone used to having 4 cans a day?!
The whole notion that expats are responsible for the liquor that found its way into some Maldivian hones is hogwash. No one will blame expats for the drug problem yet it is the evil that your society really must fight! And some dare say alcohol is the mother of all evil? Yeah, yeah, let’s smoke some weed on that. Have a puff on me. Or get a jab or shot of heroine on me mate. Maldivians have to stop blaming foreigners for their mess. If they can’t fix it, it is the expats. And by the way Maldives would ‘sink’ economically without the foreigners. They make your economy run – coz most of you are just damn lazy to work. The irony is, you hate expats because they take jobs you cannot do. And because of that hatred, you don’t want them to have some ‘easy’ time. You don’t want them to practice their religion even at the privacy of their rooms, you don’t want them to visit your inhabited islands because they are going to ‘pollute’ your ‘pureness’, you don’t want them to sit in your parks because they apparently make them not green, you make it hard for them to even socialize, and now you don’t want them to have an occasional drink that they are so used to. All for what? Your pureness? It is all for your inherent hatred of foreigners – you are becoming a xenophobic society.
What baffles me is that thousands of Maldivians study abroad in countries where alcohol flows. Thousands more travel to countries, including Sri Lanka, where no one discriminates against them or persecutes them for their religion. Why then don’t you ban Maldivians from visiting countries where alcohol is sold without restrictions. How so convenient for you to point a finger at alcohol for all your societal ills? You have drug addicts, you have child molesters, you have grandma rapists, but that’s fine, your biggest problem is alcohol. It is the mother of all evils in Maldives.
This is what happens when we have narrow minded irrational people like Shaheem in high positions of the Government. If the only way to get rid of these people is to change the current Government, then so be it! We have had enough of this nonsense!
I don't usually listen to Shaheem. He is the man who said if Gasim Ibrahim can manage four wives why can't he manage the country as the president. He is a typical "sheikh" who will never see a view outside of his narrow and intolerent way of thinking. He is also a prime example of the effect of truely unintelligent people being somehow made to be sheikhs.
He probably doesn't know that the so called oil-rich arabs will never holiday at a place where there is no alcohol. It is really unfortunate he is being brought to the front line of the government.
“the scholars have not addressed the issue of demand. They need to go to the street corners and make the non-Muslim expatriates listen.”
Not at all. The scholars's have done their job and it is the responsibity of the concerned authorities to communicate about and implement the new regulations. Since it is the Economic Ministry that is making and changing regulations about liquor permits, it is more appropriate for them to conduct awareness campaigns for expatriates.
It is very childish by the State Minister Adhil Saleem to make such a comment; makes one wonder whether he really is fit for the job.
the idea of 'islamic resorts' is such a joke.
Go to some of the expensive resorts and you'll see LOTS of middle eastern tourists and guess what?
The women arrive in burkha, from a dry country like Saudi and what do they do? slip into a swimsuit and go have a beer with thier husbands at the bar.
They come here precisely to get away from the blanket of religious conservativism that has infected their own countries.
Islamic tourism. what a joke. wake up people, before this idiot minister Shaheem desroys all our jobs.
Now the brown sugar dealers will have a new product to add to their collection: alcohol. so, lots more money for organised crime in Maldives! Hooray for our Dhivehi Al Capones!
Islamic tourism??
What percentage of Muslim tourists visits Maldives out of around a half a million arrivals per year? As long as I know, the major businesses are from Europe. I dont know whether Maldives has 2% of Muslim tourists per year. So
Muslim resort for whom? Who will invest?
@Muad MZ
Oil Rich Saudis probably drink alcohol. They already come to the Maldives, and it is a well-known fact.
So stop thinking that if it is Saudi or Saudi Arabia, all is Islam and good.
Can we at-least request an IQ test before appointing people for Ministers?
Islamic Tourism??? You must be joking. Muslim tourists drink more than the westerners? Maldives is not the center of the world. Tourists have plenty of choices if you are to restrict too many things
Hey Adil under whose license that two bottle Maldives police found at your apartment were bought. I am just curious.
What is the mandate of the Islamic Ministry and when how do they decide to get involved on matters of Islam?
For example, The Islamic ministry's reaction to a teacher being deported for spreading Christianity was as follows. 'Spokesperson for Islamic Ministry Sheikh Ahmadulla meanwhile said the case was unrelated to the ministry.
”As a matter of fact the teacher was sponsored by education ministry and they took action,” he said, ‘’so why should we say anything?”' SEE MN 23 FEB 2010.
On the other hand on this article, 'Shaheem observed that even in countries like Malaysia and Qatar where alcohol was sold, bars were not permitted near schools and mosques.
“The Ministry for Economic Development did not discuss this with us, and we are supposed to be a unity government.”'
No consistency at all!
The only people who will profit from this are the criminals who illegally smuggle/brew sub-par alcohol and sell it for exorbitant prices.
This is why we Maldivians do not progress. Everybody things he is right, and we are never open to suggestions or alternatives.
There might be a valid point in disallowing alcohol sold in Inhabited islands, but lets look at the facts of the matter.
- The controversial clause was to allow for an economic objective to holiday Inn and other city hotels. Even though people are arguing that the regulation will enable more Maldivians to drink alcohol, somebody has yet to tell me how. By law, this will not be allowed and by law this will be regulated. If the public has distrust in the regulatory authorities, should they not then push the government to strengthen them?
- Fact of the matter is Maldivians have access to alcohol even now. I don't see any evidence that this regulation would allow more Maldivians access to alcohol. The only way we can solve this problem is to completely ban alcohol from Maldives.
As the Italian expat has said xenophobia and intolerant has reached unprecedented heights in just one year under MDP government. Young fresh minds in MDP should know that policies such as establishing relations with Israel and allowing bars in Male' would be catalysts for tension. Why pave way for such unnecessary friction between the moderates and extremists?
The Mullas and Sheikhs were screaming their head off earlier as well. But moderate polices kept matters at bay.
What I see is a lack of sincerity and tolerance among the MDP leadership. For them it is our way or no way. It is absurd for Adil Saleem to call on Mullas to dampen demand for liquor. If they are to do the work of the government then Nasheed needs to step down to make way for a Mulla to take over.
shaheem's aim is to ruin the economy and overthrow the government. he is using religeon as a tool to overthrow the government. already shaheem is bought prabably by burumaa. generally mullah and people who speak too much about the relegeon the worst.
So how exactly are these Islamic resorts suppose to be run? Will there be separate sections for men and women? Good lord Shaheem, go to Saudi Arabia and live there.
Please leave us alone.
Islamic tourism? WTF is that? Oh yeah, that is exactly what they run in Taleban held parts in Afghanistan isnt it?
WTF is wrong with President Nasheed? caving into these Mullahs. He must draw a fine line, and tell them this is exactly where you guys (Mullahs) can roam freely..thats mosques, and shut up! otherwise they will slowly but surely start controling the state...ironically its what happening now.
Now I regret voting for Anni. Islamic tourism and cancellation of liquor licenses and all this nonsense because of stupid and inconsiderate policies of Nasheed's government.
Even after visiting countries like UK where shaheem whent to mosques to pray, used a misvak to brush his teeth, esperiencing the tollerent society. He comes back to the Maldives and preches as such.
Jeff, as you say "conservatism propagates extremism." Shaheem is propagating conservatism, so why the hell do you support this idiot? He'll destroy everything you claim to hold dear.
Australians who drink alcohol like we Maldivians or Indians chew beetle nut are called alcoholics.
Islamic tourism could demand more alcohol if you are talking about bringing saudis and other muslim world, cause as far as i have seen (in Malaysia, in Maldievs, in Thailand) they (Arabs) are top clients of alcohol, women etc..
AND what "cultural tourism" is shaheem refering to? does he mean the culture that's being hijacked? how many maldivians can you find today with a name like Lhahuththu, thuthu didi or similar. how many maldivian traditions attire and culture, customs remain to sell?
what a joke do u think we need islamic tourism in maldives the last 30 to 40 yrs we didn't need it and who will invest in a thing like that we are not a wealty country like saudi...what bull is Mr shaheem talking about.
This looks like as if the country is soon going to be turned into haven for fanatics...most probably in the next few years, thats what this country will turn into....all the sane people should get out fast.
It is really worrying to see Maldives heading on this path of development and social segregation.
What really worries me is the that when ever there is a issue related to religion Sheiks think of Saudi Arabia, ignoring the simple fact that they do not need Wodka to fill their stomach instead, OIL WELLS, YES OIL WELLS. So who really cares if they are people who wanto drink or not. Those who tend to drink simply drive away from the boarder or import under privileged identity.
Well think of this; We need alcohol to keep our economy running, Tourism tends to generate over 75% of revenue to the GDP indirectly. And think, there are only small amount of people visiting from mid east to Maldives. So are we following a trend to welcome the Mideasterners. Wake up. This will never happen. NEVER TO A LEVEL THAT WE CAN RELY TOURISM ON THEM:
And then think of this, If Maldives wants to cater it towards the western countries, we have to face the reality. Alcohol is part social value. IT IS NOT A CULPRIT unless you exploit it.
The issue is not about alcohol its about we loosing our faith in religion, bottles dont come from sky, we bring them because we want them to come like drugs. We are exploiting it.
It seems all the sheihks are leading this country on a descending path in terms of tolerance and respect cultivating sense of fear and hatred among the folks about broader society, if we can not face to stop, eventually we will pay the price.
We bring the foreigners, because we think we all have sit behind the desk with a tie hanging, people dont understand the line work and public works are most valued to run a society, yet when people come to do it, we discriminate, we are the ignorants and we need to face the reality. At least provide them some comfort and respect for filling the gap.
We need to change the our attitudes towards the jobs and markets and be able to face our challenges on our own and learn to leave with believers and non-believers side by side and respect values. This is how the great powers rose and history and modern era shows if you can not live along these values, peace and prosperity will be a road far too far.
We have a choice to make? but think twice.
XM
If Shaheem wants income from Islamic Tourism, I cannot understand why he is accepting salaries from not Islamic tourism. He should earn a living from fishing or husbanding goats and live from his own labour with his own sweets.
Greetings to all,
Could someone explain me, if a new expat goes there to work, being non musilim or not religious at all wich is the case, he/her can't get a permit to buy alcohol now?
Not even a single beer in a off day?
Alcohol it's only going to be available in resorts?
What happen if he/her doesn't work in a resort, or being far from it?
Best Regards!
i strongly suggest shaheem to come out for another muzaaharaa to ban maldivians from travelling abroad. MALDIVIANS are travelling to countries where alcohol is freely available. if it is available according to him they will drink it. our youth are going to western countries for education. shaheen please stop this. they minds will get filled with UNISLAMIC stuff further more they will drink raa.
maldivian males and females live in the same island shaheem can you please stop this as zinay is also haraam. men and women should live in different islands!!!!.
these things make the role of islamic ministry easier as they dont have to educate them. i have been living in new zealand fro about 10 years now. i have not even tasted any alcohol this was due to my upbringing.
WE ARE WORRIED NOW THAT MALDIVES MAY BECOME ANOTHER AFGANISTAN.
I guess its time to leave... Thanks for the past 5 years and I will not forget the great hospitality I experienced during those years.
I am moving my office to Singapore.
Goodbye Male'
Hi I am an expat and I had a liquor permit. I am extremely sad to hear this news as we always made sure to be as discreet as possible when consuming. The only pleasing thing about this is after reading these blogs I understand that in reality Maldivians are a moderate society with a fair live and let live policy. Yes there are some bad apples but all you law makers please understand one thing very clearly, alcohol is the least of your troubles, it's almost as non existent compared to drugs. So in all honesty you sorry bunch of law makers and spineless religious scholar wanna bee's you really are knocking on the wrong door... You are creating great avenues for a organized crime to thrive. Good on you mates... Once the substance abuse addicts increase tremendously I hope it's you they rob at knife point.
GS
i have news for all who have commented above directing messages to sheick mohamed shaheem ali saeed. For your kind information the good sheick will not be able to understand much of what you are saying as his understanding of English is extremely limited.
I'm also an expat, but have never applied for an alcohol permit - instead I enjoyed a drink or two with other foreigners (and sometimes Maldivians) from time to time. We had fun evenings, rarely really got drunk. They tried to drink as discrete as possible, noone went on the street drunk, noone raped their mothers, noone had drugs. Many times I was invited to drink at Maldivian homes, somehow they always found a way to get alcohol. But it has never been a problem - you just sleep over the Thursday night! I have seen Maldivians completely drunk on resorts, on a Thursday night. I have seen MPs drinking on resorts, I have drunk with a DRP MP myself. So what - it was a Thursday night! Nobody forces them, nobody influences them, it was their decision. Maldivians go abroad to get drunk, to enjoy secular countries, to enjoy the freedom they can't get in the Maldives. I would not say alcohol is the 'mother of all evil'. You have serious drug problems, people, don't blame alcohol and foreigners for that!
Nevertheless, I think it's ok not go give liquor licenses to hotels on inhabited islands - but the question is: why to build hotels on inhabited island? Don't you have enough islands to be developed to resorts?
Even though I would still not apply for a liquor license myself, I think it is unfair to not grant a few bottles or cans per month for expats. The issue gets serious if e.g. teachers or pilots get drunk before their work.
It doesnt matter Mullah Saeed does not speak or understad english, Im sure atleast one Mullah will understand and translate these messages to him.
Mullah Saeed, today you may have suceeded in getting into Anni's brain. Cause he is a cornered rat. (which I never expected) and he is been contineuosly beaten by Mullahs.
islamic tourism?? you have got to be kidding me shaheem!! kekekek
Though Adhil Saleem is disgruntled with his alcohol regulation, It is a very ridiculous decision made by Adhil Saleem to quit offering Alcohol permits to the expatriates. All what I've conceived is that this is a vengeance and he is attempting to create an awful impression about Maldives. Over the past decade Maldives has permitted expatriates to consume alcohol in inhibatant islands and even now respect to the expatriates working in the Maldives. It is very absurd that MDP has allowed such an absurd regulation.
Is Sheikh Shaheem crazy or ignorant or both? I wonder how many tourists visit Medina for honeymooning. We don't have the Kaaba in Maldives. And what do you think the rich Saudi's do the minute they get to a resort? Start praying? No, the women dispense of their hijaab and wear bikinis and they enjoy alcohol. These Seikus are too much. As Nope says, u r going to ruin our country and the economy. What are you guys scared of? Temptation to drink alcohol if u see it? You must not have enough faith in Islam to feel that way. Meehaku kameh kuraa irah kaleymen kuran jehey dho. Kihaa bodu balaa eh!
Good riddance of bad rubbish!
Dear Maldivians.
The government tried to allow the sale of alcohol in inhabited islands. and the people of maldives stood against the regulation and made the government withdraw the regulation. this country's principles are set by its people. if there are so many ppl who want to allow the sale of alcohol in inhabited islands why dont they raise their voices like the ppl who wanted to ban it. apparently the government will go as the majority wants. but i see no one is ready to go supporting that regulation. the truth is only few ppl want alcohol to be available in the inhabited islands. such few ppl are commenting here under the different names. they are just couple of ppl who we dont blv are ready to make a sound in the public or can openly go supporting the regulation.
this is a country which belongs to muslims by constitution. to the "Italian in male" i have to say we set our rules according to our principles of which you and your daughters don't have to give aproval.
I am appalled with the moderation standard of Minivan News. When I wrote a comment last week about a fact of MDP Atoll councillors they've censored it. However, Minivan News is happy to publish any disgraceful comment made to Islam though its a slang such as comment made by "Moderate on Thu, 4th Mar 2010 7:43 PM". I am now tending beleive that there is a hidden agenda in Minivan news as others say.
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