Nasheed: not only alcohol and pork unavailable on islands, there is no need to legalize them

Former President Nasheed issued a response after facing a wave of heated criticism regarding his recent comments, in which he claimed it was unfair for the government to prohibit hotels on inhabited islands from offering the same "goods and services provided to tourists" as resorts.

During the ceremony held last Friday night to launch Maafushi’s tourism brand, "Heart of Maldives," Nasheed had argued that the inability to sell these items in large hotels within local communities is an issue where "we must consider bringing about equality."

His remarks touched a sensitive topic, as the "goods and services" available in resorts, which are prohibited on residential islands, traditionally include alcohol and pork. By framing this restriction as a matter of "equality," Nasheed sparked a national debate over the future of the local tourism model and whether it should mirror the lifestyle offered on private resort islands. The public backlash was swift, leading many to interpret his call for equality as a direct push to legalize restricted items within local residential populations.

Following Tourism Minister Ibrahim Thoriq’s statement clarifying that the government has no policy to permit the sale of alcohol and pork on inhabited islands, former President Nasheed also posted on "X" stating that there is no need to legalize these items in local communities. 

Responding to the wave of criticism directed at him, as the leader who originally introduced local tourism to the Maldives, Nasheed explained that alcohol and pork are not the only things currently unavailable on inhabited islands compared to resorts. He explicitly noted that he does not believe alcohol should be authorized in these residential areas.

"It is a matter of concern and a dangerous thing that people are attempting to cause harm by persisting in using false meanings and translations, even when the words are spoken in clear and direct Dhivehi," Nasheed said.

However, during the ceremony held in Maafushi on Friday night, Nasheed did not specify the names of any items that are available in resorts but restricted in large hotels on inhabited islands. 

During Nasheed's presidency in 2009 and 2010, his administration had decided to authorize the sale of alcohol in hotels on inhabited islands by amending the relevant regulations. Although two specific dates were set at that time to commence alcohol sales, the decision was ultimately reversed by Nasheed's government in February 2010 following intense pressure and large-scale protests organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, religious scholars, the general public, and political opposition.

To oppose these liquor regulations during Nasheed's tenure, approximately 100 organizations joined forces to launch a major movement under the name "Madanee Ithihad" (Civil Coalition). 

During the ceremony held last Friday night to launch Maafushi’s "Heart of Maldives" tourism brand, Nasheed remarked that he is not someone who always says agreeable things, stating, "I often speak on difficult issues." 

According to Nasheed, a primary reason to reconsider permitting the sale of items, which are currently allowed in resorts but prohibited in large hotels on inhabited islands, is the significant growth of local tourism; he noted that while the Maldives now receives two million tourists annually, approximately 200,000 of those visitors choose to stay in Maafushi alone.