Maldives arrest marriage celebrant after 'hate' ceremony

by Amal Jayasinghe

Police in the Maldives have arrested a marriage celebrant who abused a foreign couple as "swine" and "infidels" during a luxury ceremony in the holiday paradise, an official said.

Maldivian police spokesman Ahmed Shiyam said the celebrant, who conducted the ceremony in the local language at an upmarket resort fringed by white sand and turquoise water, had been arrested with another hotel employee on Thursday.

A video of the ceremony, during which the hapless couple are taunted and subjected to a series of insulting and religious-tinged abuse, was posted on YouTube and has sparked fears for the country's tourism-dependent economy.

The hotel had initially identified the victims as Swiss, but a highly placed tourism source in the Maldives told AFP said they were in fact French. Police declined to confirm their nationality.

"We started investigations and treat this as a very serious matter," Shiyam told AFP by telephone when contacted in the capital island Male.

He said the two men were taken before a magistrate who ordered them to be detained for five days. "Both are being held at a police station in Male," he added.

Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed announced his government will introduce strict guidelines on conducting wedding ceremonies in his nation of tiny coral islands which is known as a top honeymoon destination.

British comic Russell Brand and US pop star Katy Perry are the latest celebrities to head to the Indian Ocean nation for a honeymoon after tying the knot in India last weekend.

"All tourist hotels without exception will be required to follow the new guidelines which will be issued shortly," the president's office said in a statement.

Nasheed expressed "disgust" at the incident and described the behaviour of those involved as "absolutely disgraceful," the statement said.

He appealed to hotel staff to be "vigilantly professional" and said "bad behaviour, such as that depicted in the YouTube video, can cause enormous damage to the country's tourism industry."

The ceremony took place earlier this month, but a video of it was posted on the Internet by another hotel employee five days ago and since gone viral.

The Vilu Reef hotel, where the ceremony took place, said it was "unforgivable" that a staff member had read out the sexual and religious slurs in the Dhivehi language and apologised for his conduct.

"You are swine," the couple were told. "The children that you bear from this marriage will all be bastard swine.

"Your marriage is not a valid one. You are not the kind of people who can have a valid marriage. One of you is an infidel. The other, too, is an infidel and, we have reason to believe, an atheist."

The wife, wearing a white dress and carrying a bouquet, and her husband smile shyly through the ceremony, which was to renew their marriage vows at a cost of 1,300 dollars.

In front of a table decorated with incense sticks, the English-speaking couple bow their heads in prayer through the torrent of accusations, curses and swearing from the celebrant.

At the end of the 15-minute routine, they exchange rings as the staff clap, before heading onto the beach to plant a coconut tree in the sand.

The Islamic republic of the Maldives, a nation of palm-fringed islands scattered in the Indian Ocean, is one of the world's most exclusive honeymoon destinations and its economy relies heavily on tourism.

The video, which contains English subtitles of abusive language, can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3anLy3Hz9I
Maldives wedding ceremony

Couple mocked as they renew marriage vows in Maldives

A couple looking to renew their marriage vows in the Maldives were called "swine" and "infidels" by the hotel staff officiating the ceremony.

LMFAO does it mean the couple did not understand him or what?
They were not even surprised at all and I can hear some laughing after his pronouncements.
Oh no! This is haraam
And if they do not understand; means they are not Islamic… then why going to the Islamic to pronounce their marriage?
I posted this blog that you may see, pity this couple, reason on what an Islamic life is and finally… drop your comments.
Never forget to take precaution through what happened to others.

Look folks: never say amen when prayers are said in a strange language.
This is a total abuse on this couple; finally it’s not amusing and if this couple will see this here any day, how do you think they will feel being abused, insulted and cursed by those they have trusted?
It is quite unjust

If anyone will do this on an Islamic or say rubbish about the Islamic world… they will lift up bands and menaces all over the world, but see what a group of people could assemble and agree to do to their strangers.
They are heartless.

follow the news and links bellow....

The video (in the youtube link bellow) that seems to have been filmed by a member of staff at the Vilu Reef Beach and Spa Resort was supposed to be a traditional Maldivan ceremony conducted in Dhivehi.

One man (the coordinator) said to the couple: "Your marriage is not a valid one. You are not the kind of people who can have a valid marriage. One of you is an infidel. The other, too, is an infidel."

The footage was leaked onto YouTube as "a joke" and a local newspaper, Minivan News, discovered it.

The resort claims to be a place where couples can renew their vows "hand in hand against a golden sunset background."

The package that the couple bought is said to be worth over one thousand pounds

see the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5H64OOkeXA

Winner of the 2010 Big Brother Africa

The winner of the big brother Africa 2010 has just been announced on M Net Movies TV, and the Nigerian UTI is the winner!

Uti

Age = 27

Country = Nigeria

Hometown = Lagos

Occupation = Actor, TV Presenter and Model

Biography = Full of surprises, Uti describes himself as understanding and admits to talking too much when excited. He hates it when "people try to list your faults even though they have their own! " This Season he plans to show the audience who he really is, and take another crack at the cash.

Uti's Secret = He was a Britney Spears Fan

Recap = Uti previously competed in Big Brother Africa 3 where he finished in tenth place after becoming the third housemate to be evicted on Day 42. Uti entered the house on Day 1.

Follow the link below to view Uti's gallery

http://bigbrotherafrica.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=75

Lari Williams disowns Nollywood

Veteran actor and pioneer president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria(AGN), Mr Lari Williams hasdisowned the name Nollywood, saying that “it has no relevance to the film industry in Nigeria.”
He also frowned at the protracted crisis rocking the Actors Guild of Nigeria(AGN).The veteran actor described the crisis as “meaningless and unfortunate.”
Lari, in a chat with HVP during the week suggested the adopting of of Kanwood in place of Nollywood, arguing that Kanwood as a care skin tree has more relevance to the industry than Nollywood.

“I have always had issues with the name Nollywood. It has no meaning to the industry. I suggest that we adopt the name Kanwood because it has a meaning. Kanwood is for skin care , and skin has to do with make-up and make-up is an artiste thing. ” he posited.
The veteran actor further argued that Hollywood as a film city in the United States, was built at a place called Hollywood.
Reviewing the lingering crisis in AGN, Lari who’s currently a Senior lecturer at the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Calabar said given the crisis, the present AGN is far from being the same AGN that he presided over its affairs several years ago.
He took a quick swipe at immediate and remote causes of the crisis, wondering why some people should be fighting over the leadership of the guild.
In his words, “I am not happy with the crisis that is rocking the actors’ guild. The people who are fighting over the leadership of the guild have nothing to offer to the guild.Since after my exit, what new innovation have they brought to the guild.”
He said, while he was the president of AGN, he led the guild on a courtesy visit to then, Inspector General of Police, and also the Senate President to discuss the existence of the body during his tenure as AGN president.

After 19 kids from 7 women, Lebarty marries first wife

Twenty-five years after fathering nineteen children from seven different women, the self acclaimed lover boy of the Nigerian music industry, Felix Lebarty is married.
He wedded Rosemary, mother of his first four children (two boys and two girls) in a private ceremony that was attended by his children and close family friends.
The marriage according to 24 year old Ivie Lebarty, his first daughter and a Church worker at the UK branch of the Christ Embassy Church ‘was initiated by us the children’.
‘We felt there was need for our father to make good his claim that he had received Christ in his life by marrying our mother. And he did just that to the glory of the lord.
And as you can see we are home in Nigeria today, to celebrate a reunion between our dad, mum and my little baby who is officially my parents’ first grand child’ and elated told Showtime over the phone.
A remorseful Felix Lebarty who also spoke to Showtime over the phone said he had no apologies for fathering children from different women stating that, ‘they are the beautiful gifts God gave to me’.
But the Benin, Edo state-born musician who shot into national prominence with the release of his debut album on Tabansi Records titled Lover Boy which included the hit track Ngozi has one regret, his inability to provide love and care, financial support to his children.

Felix Lebarty and Ivie... Lebarty’s daughter

“My regret till dates is my inability to provide, love, care and financial support to all of my children and this hurts. Every time I see them, I always beg for their forgiveness because of my shortcoming.”
Sober and humbled by his past mistakes, a repentant Lebarty disclosed that “when a man goes against the tenets of the Bible that he marries only one wife, destruction awaits such persons at the end of the day.
But I thank God for pulling me out of the pit of destruction and giving me a

second chance.”

Continuing, the born again musician, who pastors his own Church, warned the youth against towing his kind of lifestyle stating that those, who live a Christless life would definitely end up with life in crisis.
At the peak of his fame this reporter recalled, Felix had four children from Rosemary his first love, three girls from his affair with Mary (a set of twins and a girl) and three boys from his affair with woman number three, Unoma.
Unoma was the lady that featured in the Ifeoma video and the woman responsible for the break up between the musician and his first love Rosemary.
Felix also had relationship with Auchi, Edo State born Cordelia (which produced a boy and a girl) and Adesuwa who had a son Destiny.
Unfinished yet with his philandering, Felix also fathered children by Zainab who produced a boy and girl, and finally Helen, who brought up the rear with four girls.

Six hours with soldiers in pursuit of kidnappers in Aba

By Anayo Okoli
THURSDAY, October 14, 2010 was a memorable day for a group of journalists, including this reporter, who elected to join the military task force operating in Abia state to flush criminals elements, that had held the state hostage paralysing Aba, the commercial capital of the city.
The journalists had assembled at the Ngwa High School Camp of the soldiers for the eye-witness account of the operation of the task force.
The journalists had assembled at the Camp by 10am and waited till about 12pm when the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Enugu, Lt. Col. Kabir Musa, who led the journalists to the bush arrived from the Asa High School Military Base. However, while we were waiting for Musa, it was observed that there were some suspected kidnappers already arrested who were being screened at the Camp.
They were led out from where they were kept for screening by the officers in charge.
At about 12.15pm, herding the journalists in four of the military trucks recently given to the task force by Governor Theodore Orji for the operation, with some soldiers joining in each of the truck, the journey into the kidnappers den began. Led by an Armoured Personnel Carrier [APC], the convoy moved to the admiration of Aba residents, who were happy that life was returning to the bubbling city that was until two weeks ago virtually a ghost town as residents left the city in droves and kidnappers ruled
Surprisingly, while the soldiers were busy restoring life and order to the city, policemen in the city were busy collecting money from motorists and tricycle operators. In fact as the convoy moved from one town to another passing the Obingwa area, which was our first port of call, some residents shouted that policemen should be removed from the city and replaced with soldiers.
From Aba the convoy moved through the bad road between thick forests to Ogbuala village Mgboko. As the convoy moved from village to village, the few people we saw were downcast . Unlike the people of Aba city who were cheering the soldiers, there was no sign of joy in them, an indication that the soldiers had come to destroy their business.
Through pa th ways, which all look alike, we arrived at the house of a native doctor who prepared charms for the kidnappers. A moderate modern house, with a sign post “Ugochinyere Trado Clinic”, the man was said to have abandoned the house when the task force entered the village.
According to Lt. Col. Musa, the kidnappers divided Abia state into groups with each group led by kidnapping kingpin, Obioma Nwankwo [Osisikankwu] who has been declared wanted by the police as the overall leader.
The Aba-Port Harcourt axis very notorious for the activities of kidnappers was under the control of a kingpin known as SUSU who was said to be very dangerous and ruthless.
So from the native doctor’s house, the convoy moved to Susu’s Camp, in Umuezi, few kilometers from the native doctor’s house. It was of great interest that as we passed from village to village in this Mgboko, it was like a ghost town as it was said that the inhabitants had all fled, both old and young when the soldiers invaded them.
As you approached Susu’s Camp, which shared a wall with St. Michael’s Catholic Church, and opposite a primary school, which from indications, had been abandoned due to the activities of these hoodlums, we saw expended shell of ammunitions scattered both inside the classrooms and on the field.
There were empty bottles of choice wines, canned beer of various brands, used packets of condom, empty packets of different bands of cigarettes, scattered both inside the class rooms and on the field. From what was observed around the house, it was certain that the hoodlums lived flamboyantly , perhaps from proceeds of the lucrative business where millions of Naria were being paid by victims as ransom.
Inside Susu’s house a very modern house with expensive POP ceiling, which served as his Camp headquarters, and has been destroyed by the task force, empty cases of expended ammunitions were scattered both inside and outside the house.
Described as a very dangerous bank armed robber, a big bank save was discovered where it was buried in a shallow hole at the back of the house bordered a very thick forest. The save was believed to have been brought there by Susu and his group perhaps in one their numerous bank attacks in Aba. A rifle was also recovered in the house by the soldiers.
It is very interesting to note that at the point of entry to Susu’s Camp, is a check-point, well fortified with sand bags, which was being manned by some members of the hoodlums. They mounted a sign-post at the check-point with which they used to deceive people. It read:”Welcome to the Amnesty Camp, Abia state. Let peace reign”. This was a deceit and ploy to lure unsuspecting persons.
However, quite surprising and embarrassing was the suspected connivance of the pastor in charge of the Catholic church which shared a wall with the Camp. From the closeness of the church and the camp and juxtaposing it with illegal point mounted by the hoodlum’s right in front of the church, the task force suspected that the pastor could not claim ignorance of the activities of the hoodlums.
On account of this, the soldiers searched the pastor’s house and they were said to have recovered five expended cases of ammunition in a car parked in his house located at the back of the church. Of course the pastor whose name Musa did not recollect has been arrested and handed over to security agencies for interrogation.
The task force believed that it was “either that the pastor was with them or aiding them”. The kidnappers were also believed to be using the pastor’s only source of water which he made available through a tap extended outside by his wall.
It was clear evidence that Mgboko village was deep into kidnapping business as through out the period we stayed in the Susu Camp and around we did not see any human being. We only saw dogs and cows mowing on the primary school field in front the church and opposite the Camp, which is a stone throw from the major road.
From there we drove again through the thick forests surrounding the villages back to Aba and on to Asa High School, on the Port Harcourt-Aba Express way. As we passed the centre of Aba, the residents jubilated.
At the camp, we saw 21 different of vehicles, including jeeps, and other exotic cars as well as buses which were either snatched by the hoodlums or belonged to kidnapped victims, some of who may have died.
They were recovered from the various bushes already combed by the soldiers.Motorists on the hitherto dangerous Aba-Port Harcourt road now ply the road with confidence. Their only problem remains the extortion by the numerous police check-points mounted at almost every two poles on the road.
With the on-going operation, it is hoped that in a couple of weeks all those that fled Aba will all return with their families and some good natives of the notorious Ngwa villages will return

SuBo Hopes Her Book 'Proves A Point'

Former Britain's Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle has said she wanted to write a book to prove she was "as good as anybody".

The Scottish singer appeared in central London at the launch of her autobiography The Woman I Was Born To Be.
Boyle, who is fondly known as SuBo, rose to fame after her first live audition for Britain's Got Talent became an internet hit.
Despite losing in the final to dance troupe Diversity, Boyle was signed to Simon Cowell's label and her debut album I Dreamed A Dream was a worldwide smash.
Her second album The Gift is due out next month.
Boyle's autobiography is described by her publisher as the "story of her life and the challenges she has struggled to overcome with faith, fortitude and an unfailing sense of humour".
Before signing copies for fans, she told Sky News she hoped the book "proved a point" that she is "as good as anybody else and I can keep going".
When asked what was next for her, she answered: "Who knows?"
Showbiz writer and debut novelist Martell Maxwell said while Boyle most likely had a ghostwriter, it did not hinder her story.
"Susan Boyle probably didn't write it but I think she's had an awful lot of input," she said.
"Reading it, I was struck by how personal it is - all the little details are there. I think she sat down with somebody for hours."

Baby boy for Alicia Keys

It's a boy Alicia Keys and her husband, music producer/rapper Swizz Beatz.

Keys gave birth on Thursday night in New York and the couple have named their son Egypt Dean.
It's the first child for the superstar singer and the fourth child for Beatz, whose real name is Kaseem Dean.
The couple was married July 31.
Swizz Beats took time to tweet on Friday: "I'm so thankful for everything I been blessed with in my life wowwwwww!
Singer Mary J Blige also tweeted her congratulations on the birth.