Nasheed: Music shouldn't be banned in Maldives
Government informed organisers that the band's concert, scheduled to take place on Thursday night at the Social Centre, could not proceed.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed has criticised the government's decision to cancel a performance by Australian tribute band Björn Again, saying music should not be banned and that the Maldives belongs to all Maldivians.
The comments came after the government informed organisers that the band's concert, scheduled to take place on Thursday night at the Social Centre, could not proceed.
In a post on X, Nasheed described Björn Again as the best-known tribute band to Swedish pop group ABBA and said the decision to stop the performance was wrong.
"That show should not be banned. Music should not be banned," Nasheed wrote.
"What the youth of the Maldives desire must be allowed to happen in this country. This Maldives does not belong to a specific group of people. It is a Maldives for all Maldivians."
The concert, organised by Uber Events, had secured sponsors, been promoted publicly and sold tickets before the cancellation. Members of the band arrived in the Maldives on Tuesday evening ahead of the scheduled performance.
According to organisers, the decision was communicated shortly before the event while preparations were under way at the Social Centre, leaving insufficient time to arrange an alternative venue.
The government has not publicly explained why the concert was not permitted to take place.
The cancellation comes as live music performances continue at government-organised events, including expos and the Independence Carnival at Hulhumalé Central Park, which is being held as part of this year's Independence Day celebrations.
