A Halloween party was held at Kaani Palm Beach in Kaafu Maafushi on 31 October after Kaani Hotels and Tours publicly advertised the event on social media on 24 October.
Videos of the party later appeared online, drawing criticism that a Christian holiday celebration had taken place on an inhabited local island that is a major hub for guesthouse tourism. The Maafushi Council initially told reporters the matter had come to its attention, but subsequent statements from the vice-president indicated that officials were unaware the party had been held. The council president did not respond to follow-up questions about when the council learned of the event or what action was taken.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has not issued a public statement. Kaani Hotels has organised similar Halloween activities in previous years, according to its social media history.
Maafushi is one of the country’s busiest local-island tourism destinations, with more than 50 guesthouses. While private resorts frequently host themed events, celebrations of non-Islamic holidays on inhabited islands have previously attracted scrutiny. The incident has renewed debate about the boundaries between tourism marketing and local cultural norms.
