People in the Maldives were reported to be furious at the possible damage to their reputation The Maldives’ leader has promised strict new guidelines on conducting wedding ceremonies for tourists, after a couple renewing vows were abused.
All tourist hotels will be required to follow the rules to be issued shortly, President Mohamed Nasheed said in his weekly radio address.
He described the behaviour of those involved as “absolutely disgraceful”.
Police have reportedly detained a celebrant who called the foreign couple “infidels” during a luxury ceremony.
Maldivian police spokesman Ahmed Shiyam told AFP news agency that the celebrant had been detained with another hotel employee.
Footage of the ceremony was posted on YouTube and has sparked concerns for the Indian Ocean island’s tourism-dependent economy.
Instead of words of blessing, the celebrant heaps taunts and insults in the local language on the hapless couple.
The hotel at the Vilu Reef resort has apologised for the “unforgivable conduct” of its staff.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.