As Christ’s Body, our work involves interceding on behalf of the persecuted church. Here, contributing writer Reed Hoppe acquaints us with the plights of some of our suffering brothers and sisters worldwide. In this issue, she examines the island nation of Maldives.
Along the sandy shores of Maldives rest flocks of tourists, eager to explore the uninhabited islands, scuba dive among the coral, and enjoy the posh resorts that speckle the land. In the Indian Ocean south of India, Maldives consists of 1,190 islands, 200 of which are inhabited.
The crystal clear waters provide a pristine image that would easily attract anyone interested in an island retreat. Tourism is the primary income of Maldives, hosting several thousand visitors each year. However, for many of the residents of Maldives, lying on the beaches without a care is hardly a reality. For Maldivian citizens, freedoms of religion and speech, and the right to a fair trial are nonexistent or severely restricted.
Maldives is ranked fifth in nations known for the most severe persecution of religious rights, according to Open Doors International. With Islam as the official state religion, all citizens are required to adhere to Sunni Muslim beliefs. Converting from Islam carries the consequences of a loss of citizenship, as well as the punishments recommended by Islam’s shari’a law.
No churches exist in Maldives and the nation remains today one of the least evangelized countries on earth. Christian materials cannot be imported except for personal use by foreigners. The government does allow foreigners and tourists to practice their religion in private, as long as Maldivians are not encouraged to participate. Only a few ethnic Maldivians are thought to be Christians, practicing their faith in utter secrecy.
President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, in power since 1978, has the ultimate judicial authority to uphold the tenets of Islam. The government is reportedly undergoing reform in the constitution to allow for expanded political freedoms since riots occurred in the capital island of Male in 2004.
The U.S. Department of State’s “International Religious Freedom Report” investigated Maldives in 2005 and published its findings. Human rights violations such as arbitrary arrest, torture, flogging, and banishment to a remote island remain a problem. Freedom of speech rights are severely limited, and journalists often experience harassment and arrest if they publish unfounded criticism of the government. Four writers were arrested and sentenced jail time in 2002.
At the time of the State Department’s report, no prisoners charged with religious crimes were found. Generally, Maldives does not experience the violence of other nations experiencing extreme persecution, and most view the legalized religion as a uniting force for their country.
Islam was introduced to the Maldivians in 1153. At that time, they were Buddhists. Today, Maldives, one of the world’s 10 Islamic states, has one of the highest percentages of Muslims of any nation, numbering 99.9% of their 359,008 residents.
With land only six feet above sea level, Maldives was one of the most severely devastated nations by the 2004 tsunami. Almost all of the inhabited islands were partially or wholly flooded. One hundred people were killed and 29,000 were displaced, 11,000 of whom have not yet been able to return to their homes. Relief efforts after the tsunami primarily came from the Red Crescent Society. To date no non-Islamic faith-based groups have been allowed to work in the nation.
Pray for the Maldivians and their opportunity to hear of Christ and experience the true freedom that no government can oppress.
For more information, see the U.S. Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report of 2005 www.state.gov/g/drl/irf/; Open Doors International www.opendoorsusa.org; and Freedom House – www.freedomhouse.org.
Reed Hoppe, a commissioned deacon in the Alabama-West Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church, is The Mission Society’s online editor and contributing writer for Unfinished.
