Male’ City: More massage parlors than mosques

The number of massage parlors surpassed the number of mosques built in Male’ City.

TMJ counted at least 55 operational saloons or massage parlors in Male’, but only 48 mosques; 30 mosques in Male’, 15 in Hulhumale’ and 3 in Vilimale.

While the number of massage parlors has increased since President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came into office, sources confirm that most massage parlors offer sexual favors in exchange for money.

While these prostitution joints run under the guise of massage establishments use social media to promote their services publicly, the public outrage is in direct correlation with the failure of law enforcement to take necessary action against the organisers of such businesses.

Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla, at a press conference hosted by the home sector, responded to a question posed by TMJ stating that the prostitution joints operated in Male’under the guise of massage parlors surged in numbers during the pandemic due to the unrestricted borders of the Maldives.

Imran noted that because of social media's broad horizons, it has allowed anonymity in expanding such businesses. However, the platforms used to promote these businesses; Facebook on Tiktok, have always been public. Furthermore, pictures used to market their establishments on Viber Groups and Telegram Groups exhibit phone numbers.

Secondly, Imran stated that during the Covid-19 pandemic, while all other countries stayed closed off, the Maldives opened its borders which allowed the prostitution businesses to take deeper roots.

Logic dictates that since the Maldives has always granted tourists on-arrival visas, the border being open to guests could not possibly grant more advantages.

Imran spoke loudly and fiercely during former president, President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration when the number of prostitution rings and massage parlors gained in numbers. However, under Imran’s ministership these rings have grown exponentially.