Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has called for decisive legal action against those responsible for staging a same-sex “wedding ceremony” at a local resort, warning that such acts violate the Maldivian Constitution and undermine the nation’s Islamic identity.
Dr Shaheem disclosed that the Ministry of Islamic Affairs formally lodged a complaint with the Maldives Police Service on 4 November 2026, requesting a full investigation into the beachfront event after footage of the ceremony involving two foreign men triggered widespread public outrage online.
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“Action must be taken against individuals who engage in such acts in contravention of the Maldivian Constitution and relevant statutory laws,” Shaheem stated. ” We must stand resolute in protecting the Maldives from such offenses, which seek to plunge the nation into materialism and undermine its Islamic character and identity.”
The minister’s remarks come as police confirmed that the beachfront ceremony constitutes an unlawful act under Maldivian law and is currently the subject of an active inquiry.
In an official statement, law enforcement emphasized that Islam is the state religion and urged resort managements, guesthouses, and foreign staff to prevent any activities that breach religious principles, Sharia tenets, and societal moral standards, warning that legal proceedings will be initiated against those involved.
Although symbolic ceremonies and renewal of vows are common within the Maldives’ luxury tourism market, the events remain strictly governed by the “Regulation on Conducting Symbolic Wedding Ceremonies for Tourists.”
The statutory framework requires venues and celebrants to hold formal Ministry of Tourism accreditation and mandates that all proceedings, language, and conduct strictly uphold Maldivian cultural norms without insulting or mocking Islamic tenets.
