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Maldives closes hundreds of luxury resort spas

THIS STORY APPEARED IN

December 31, 2011

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Maldives ordered hundreds of its luxury resorts to close their spas nearly a week after a protest led by opposition parties demanding a halt to “anti-Islamic’’ activities, the government said yesterday.

A statement from the president’s office said “the government has decided to close massage parlors and spas in the Maldives, following an opposition-led religious protest last week calling for their closure.’’

An official from the president’s office said the tourism ministry notified the resorts Thursday but hasn’t confirmed if the spas have closed. He spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Indian Ocean archipelago with 1,192 tiny coral islands is known for its exquisite resorts.

Thousands at last week’s protest called on the government to halt what they called “anti-Islamic’’ activities. Sunni Islam is the official religion in the Maldives and practicing any other faith is forbidden.

Last week’s protest was called by the opposition Adhaalat, or Justice, Party and several other groups that accuse President Mohammed Nasheed’s government of compromising principles of Islam and want strict Islamic law.

The protesters also want authorities to stop the sale of alcohol in the islands, shut down brothels operating in the guise of massage parlors, and demolish monuments given by other countries marking a South Asian summit last month because they see them as idols.