Maldives Bans Dancing in Public

Part of an Islamic values campaign

Opponents have denounced the ban as evidence of creeping Islamicisation by hardliners within the government of Mohammed Waheed Hassan, the controversial president who came to power earlier this year following an alleged coup.

Supporters of former president Mohamed Nasheed, who resigned following a revolt by the country's police and armed forces, said the West had turned its back on democracy on the islands and was standing by while radical muslims impose Islamic laws on the traditionally liberal society.