The Malé City Council on Wednesday requested the residents of Malé to refrain from hosting any events celebrating Christmas Day.

In a directive, the council noted that even though Christmas is celebrated by non-muslims across the world, it would not be permitted or promoted in the capital city.

It is not known whether the council made the statement for a particular reason. The directive offered no further details.

Christmas is celebrated in resorts and guesthouses on residential islands, across the Maldives. In the past, some Island Councils have issued statements discouraging large-scale celebrations for Christmas.