The Maldives government today lifted the nationwide ban on massage parlours and spas, revoking a circular that was sent by its tourism ministry just last week which contained an order for spas to cease operations.

This afternoon, the president spoke at a press conference that was held at the Kurumba Maldives resort – the first ever in the country that started its operations almost 40 years ago – and said that a request to the Supreme Court asking whether or not spas are legal as part of the Maldives constitution will be dealt with.

President Mohammed Nasheed said that he has ordered authorities in the country to lift the ban with immediate effect as the country awaits a verdict from the Supreme Court. Nasheed said that he is confident that all the state’s institutions will realise the sheer importance of putting national development first and won’t act in any way that would cause damage to a tourism industry that is of extreme importance.

The president reiterated his view that most Maldivians reject the religious extremism that has reared its head in their country recently and would instead like to carry on with the moderate Islam that the Maldives has proudly followed for some 800 years.