Police have stated that they have launched an investigation into a same-sex marriage between two male foreigners being officiated in a resort in Maldives.
Footage of the marriage ceremony held on a beach in a resort has been circulating on social media, with some users heavily criticizing allowing same-sex marriages to be officiated in an Islamic country.
In a statement issued today, Police stated that this is illegal, and announced that they have now launched an investigation into the matter.
"We call on resorts, guesthouses and foreign employees in other occupations to not allow such acts to be committed as Islam is the religion of the Maldives' State, and these acts are in violation of Islamic and Shariah principles, Maldivian laws, and social and ethical norms," the statement from Police reads.
Police warned that legal action will be taken against individuals involved in acts such as these.
It has been a long-standing practice to hold symbolic wedding ceremonies for tourists in Maldivian resorts. This is also not the first time that same-sex marriages have been officiated in Maldivian resorts. Photos of such events have been seen on social media previously as well.
A previous incident drew widespread attention after a video of a symbolic wedding ceremony at a resort circulated on social media. The footage showed local resort staff making offensive remarks in Dhivehi language while presenting the ceremony in a manner that led the guests to believe it was an official wedding service. The backlash that followed prompted authorities to introduce regulations governing the conduct of symbolic wedding ceremonies.
As per these regulations, such ceremonies can only be held in resorts, hotels, guesthouse, yacht marina, or tourist vessels registered at the Tourism Ministry and holding permits for operations. Such establishments must also have registered marriage officiants.
The regulation also states that such an event must be planned so that no words, actions or items used in the ceremony disrespect Islamic principles.
Further, the ceremony must respect Maldivian culture and social norms, the regulation states.
