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Maldives close luxury resort spas under Islamist pressure

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout: Debate & Discussion' started by AroundTheWorld, Dec 31, 2011.

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  1. AroundTheWorld

    AroundTheWorld Insufferable 98er
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    Tolerance FTW :rolleyes:

    Maldives orders ban of all spas after Islamist prostitution claim

    The Maldives government has ordered all spas in resorts to be closed after protests by an Islamist party which claimed they were being used as a front for prostitution.

    The tourism ministry told all resort hotels across the islands to shut their spas and health centres with immediate effect.
    "An Islamic party has been agitating against spas hoping to embarrass the government," a senior government figure told the AFP news agency.
    Last week the opposition Adhaalath party, a conservative religious movement, staged a protest in the capital Male against such spas, arguing that they were being used as brothels. The party's website features an article criticising "lustful music".
    Tourism is crucial for the economy of the Maldives, and the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry said the ban would harm the economy.
    Popular with honeymooning couples and celebrities, luxury rooms in resorts on the islands can cost up to $12,000 (£7,748) a day.

    More than 850,000 tourists have visited the nation's 1,192 tiny coral islands this year. Attracted by the islands' blue lagoons and miles of coral, spas offering beauty treatments and massage are also popular.
    However, despite its idyllic, laid-back setting, Islamic fundamentalism has been on the rise in the Maldives in recent years.
    There have been anti-semitic protests recently about the transport ministry's decision to allow direct flights from Israel, while a restaurant that hung up Christmas decorations last year was also targeted.
    Last year, a Western couple were abused during their "Islamic blessing" as pork-eating "infidels" and "swine".
    "A growing number of Maldivian students are going to study in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan where they are learning a radical Wahhabi interpretation of Islam," Dr Hassan Saeed, the country's former attorney-general, said when he resigned in 2007.
    Despite the government ban, the deluxe Huvafen Fushi, where an ocean view room can cost $10,440 per night, told AFP that their spa was open on Friday and they were accepting bookings for the New Year.
    "We have heard of this report, but our spa is open," a Huvafen Fushi manager said.
    The government move to shut spas will directly affect an opposition leader, Gasim Ibrahim, head of the Jumhoory Party, who owns five, the independent Minivan news website reported.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...l-spas-after-Islamist-prostitution-claim.html

    --------------

    Of course, I have a booking there in March...
     
    #1 AroundTheWorld, Dec 31, 2011
  2. A_3PO

    A_3PO Member

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    Too bad. Going to the Maldives has been on my bucket list for a long time. Starting next year, I may have the means to actually go there.
     
    #2 A_3PO, Dec 31, 2011
  3. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Contributing Member

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    So, are the spas a front for prostitution?
     
    #3 Carl Herrera, Dec 31, 2011
  4. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

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    I think this is a very important question

    Rocket River
     
    #4 Rocket River, Dec 31, 2011
  5. DaDakota

    DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!

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    Islam and it's mixed message FTW.

    DD
     
    #5 DaDakota, Dec 31, 2011
  6. KingCheetah

    KingCheetah Contributing Member

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    They were closed due to inappropriate Islamic malware.
     
    #6 KingCheetah, Dec 31, 2011
  7. AroundTheWorld

    AroundTheWorld Insufferable 98er
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    No, they are not.
     
    #7 AroundTheWorld, Jan 1, 2012
  8. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Contributing Member

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    You sure?

    I googled "Maldives and Prostitution" and found reports suggesing that there's illegal prostitution going on there. Not sure if all the spas are involved, but often brothels use spas as a front where prostitution is not legal.
     
    #8 Carl Herrera, Jan 1, 2012
  9. AroundTheWorld

    AroundTheWorld Insufferable 98er
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    Why don't you post those reports.

    I have been there and, just like in any other Conrad hotel in the world, I cannot possibly imagine that the hotel employed physical therapists would offer you a handjob.

    Maybe your experience has been different. But then again, I don't know what kind of hotels you stay at.
     
    #9 AroundTheWorld, Jan 1, 2012
  10. SuperBeeKay

    SuperBeeKay Member

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    did you say the secret word?
     
    #10 SuperBeeKay, Jan 1, 2012
  11. rimrocker

    rimrocker Contributing Member

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    Pics?
     
    #11 rimrocker, Jan 1, 2012
  12. AroundTheWorld

    AroundTheWorld Insufferable 98er
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    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    #12 AroundTheWorld, Jan 1, 2012
  13. NotInMyHouse

    NotInMyHouse Contributing Member

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    I would not be surprised in the least if this were the case. I haven't been to Maldives, but have been to other countries in Asia where the hotel spa was indeed a front for prostitution.

    For $30 USD/hour right in a Hilton hotel you can have yourself quite an adventure. The US hotel industry ought to take some pointers from overseas.
     
    #13 NotInMyHouse, Jan 1, 2012
  14. shastarocket

    shastarocket Contributing Member

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    Prostitution or not, the most troubling part of this report is the outright ban. I think the minute you decide to completely cut off a usually accepted aspect of society, you start heading down a slippery slope. Next thing you know, the alcohol will be gone, then the hotels, etc.

    What a waste...
     
    #14 shastarocket, Jan 1, 2012
  15. pippendagimp

    pippendagimp Member

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    from my understanding, alcohol is already banned there (for the local population)
     
    #15 pippendagimp, Jan 1, 2012
  16. glynch

    glynch Contributing Member

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    Wrong forum. Travel and massage parlor advice belongs in the hangout.
     
    #16 glynch, Jan 1, 2012
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2012
  17. R0ckets03

    R0ckets03 Contributing Member

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    I've never been to Maldives, but would love to go. Some of these hotels charge anywhere from $1000-$10000 a night. And its really a honeymoon spot. Don't think these hotels are or need to promote prostitution to attract anyone.

    Leave it to f'n r****ds like these Islamist party to take things out of context and ruin things for everybody.

    If it were up to me, I would gather all these morons and give em a small piece of land somewhere where they can dress anyway they want and stare at only dudes.
     
    #17 R0ckets03, Jan 1, 2012
  18. Mathloom

    Mathloom Shameless Optimist
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    Since ATW went to one hotel there and it wasn't the case, then it MUST not be true! lol

    I don't really care what they do as long as Maldivians are happy with it.
     
    #18 Mathloom, Jan 1, 2012
  19. R0ckets03

    R0ckets03 Contributing Member

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    A bunch of brain washed Maldivians studying in madrasas in Saudi and Pakistain are not good for anyone.
     
    #19 R0ckets03, Jan 1, 2012
  20. Ottomaton

    Ottomaton Contributing Member
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    Having read about the country's religious laws in the past, I don't see why anybody who wasn't already in favor of religious intolerance would want to go there in the first place no matter how pretty it is. If they want to live like that, fine, but I couldn't pump my money into that system to help support them.

    The whole country will be underwater within the next century anyway, so I guess it doesn't really matter.
     
    #20 Ottomaton, Jan 1, 2012
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