In these Indian Ocean islands all citizens must be Muslims. No other religion can be practised. This is considered vital in stimulating national unity and maintaining the government's power. Foreigners are allowed to practise their religion in private and are allowed a Bible only for personal use; they cannot gather together for Christian activity. The handful of indigenous Christians are forced to believe in complete secrecy.

Pray

For a spiritual breakthrough in this nation – one of the least evangelised on earth
That Bibles and Christian literature will reach and build up the believers, despite the ban on their import
That the election of a new President (see photo) will bring a new openness to religious liberty.

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Christianity in the Maldives

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Christianity is a minority religion in the Maldives. The Maldives are among the countries with the least tolerance towards Christians. According to President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, no religion other than Islam should be allowed in the Maldives. Public practise of the Christian religion is prohibited. In 1998, all known Christian foreigners who were suspected of missionary work were expelled and some indigenous Christians were arrested. Christian missionaries are not allowed. According to the World Christian Encyclopedia (2nd edition), Volume 1, p. 480 the Church of South India, the Evangelical Mennonite Church and the Seventh-day Adventists are present in this country. Roman Catholics in the Maldives are covered by the Archdiocese of Colombo. Citizens of the Maldives who convert to Christianity lose their citizenship and risk torture. Expulsions of Christians occurred several times in the last 10 years. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom stated that the independence of the country is lost, if it is not entirely Muslim. The Maldivian High Commission in Colombo stated in 1998, that reports of persecution are wrong.^{[citation needed]}

Christianity in the Maldives

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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