Islam is the state religion of Maldives.[2] The 2008 Constitution or "Fehi Qānoon" declares the significance of Islamic law in the country. The constitution requires that citizenship status be based on adherence to the state religion, which legally makes the country's citizens hundred percent Muslim.[3]
However residents, tourists and workers in the Maldives are free to be of any religion and practise them in private. However, in 2020, studies found that 0.29% of the population is Christian (roughly split between Catholic and Protestant).[4] During the late 1990s, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs issued warnings, cautioning individuals against listening to radio programs broadcast in the Dhivehi language by the Far East Broadcasting Association, headquartered in the Seychelles. In 1998, 50 Maldivian Christians faced arrest and were detained on the prison island of Dhoonidhoo, while foreign Christians suspected of engaging in missionary activities were expelled from the country.[5]
Islam in the Maldives is primarily represented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, which oversees religious affairs and promotes Islamic values and teachings in the country. Additionally, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs plays a significant role in advising the government on matters related to Islam and ensuring the adherence to Islamic principles in Maldivian society. Mosques and religious scholars also contribute to the representation and practice of Islam in the Maldives.
In the Maldives, while Islam is the predominant religion and holds the status of the state religion, there are small communities of other faiths present in the country. These communities include Christians, Buddhists, and Hindus, among others.[6] Foreign residents, such as expatriate workers and tourists, often practice their respective religions in private settings, respecting the predominantly Islamic culture of the Maldives. Despite the limitations, efforts towards interfaith dialogue and understanding have been observed, contributing to a diverse cultural landscape within the Maldives.
^"Regional Profiles: Maldives". The Association of Religion Data Archives. World Religion Database.
^"Religious Beliefs In The Maldives". World Atlas. 8 November 2018. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
^"2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Maldives". United States Department of State. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
^"National Profiles | World Religion". www.thearda.com. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
^"Christians Expelled from Maldives". Christianity Today. 7 September 1998.
^Bill, Struthers (31 October 2023). "What Religion is Maldives? An Overview of Faith in the Maldivian Islands". WhatReligionIs. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
and 28 Related for: Religion in the Maldives information
Islam is the state religion of Maldives. The 2008 Constitution or "Fehi Qānoon" declares the significance of Islamic law inthe country. The constitution...
in the Maldives Christianity intheMaldives Islam inMaldives History of theMaldivesReligionintheMaldives "Maldives" (PDF). "2021 Report on International...
Islam is the state religion of Maldives. The 2008 Constitution or "Fehi Gānoon" declares the significance of Islamic law inthe country. The constitution...
TheMaldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, and historically known as theMaldive Islands, is a country and archipelagic state in South Asia in...
Buddhism was the predominant religionintheMaldives until at least the 12th century CE. It isn't clear how and when Buddhism was introduced into the islands...
Hinduism intheMaldives describes the practice of the Hindu religionintheMaldives archipelago. Evidence suggests that Hinduism had a presence inthe ancient...
Prospects The largest ethnic group is Dhivehin, native to the historic region of theMaldive Islands comprising today's Republic of Maldives and the island...
discriminated against. The Constitution of the Maldives designates Islam as the official state religion, and the government and many citizens at all levels...
against intheMaldives. Maldivian law criminalizes homosexuality and prescribes criminal penalties for same-sex sexual conduct and relationships. The Penal...
The family of Mohamed Muizzu, the 8th and current President of theMaldives is a Maldivian descended family. they are active in law, education, activism...
Religionin China is diverse and most Chinese people are either non-religious or practice a combination of Buddhism and Taoism with a Confucian worldview...
Utheemu Dynasty Maldives was turned into a Sultanate in 1153 when the Buddhist King Dhovemi converted to Islam. Prior to that theMaldives was a Buddhist...
over what precisely constitutes a religion. Different religions may or may not contain various elements ranging from the divine, sacredness, faith, and a...
Religioninthe United States is widespread and diverse, with the country being far more religious than other wealthy Western nations. An overwhelming...
The Catholic Church intheMaldives part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome. The annals of the Propaganda...
Studies inthe 21st century suggest that, in terms of percentage and worldwide spread, Islam is the fastest-growing major religioninthe world, mostly...
and nation native to the historic region of theMaldive Islands, present day Republic of Maldives and the island of Minicoy in Union Territory of Lakshadweep...
National Museum of theMaldives National Library of Maldives Politics of theMaldives Sultanate of Maldives Ryavec 1995, p. 257. "Maldives". Commonwealth...
rights intheMaldives, an archipelagic nation of 417,000 people off the coast of the Indian Subcontinent, is a contentious issue. In its 2011 Freedom in the...
Maldives Coat of arms of Maldives Flag of Maldives National anthem of MaldivesReligioninMaldives Roman Catholicism inMaldives Islam inMaldives World...
This is a major portion among all the foreign workers intheMaldives. Ibraheem, Imon (9 February 2021), "Maldives to recruit workers from Bangladesh"...
The Sultanate of Maldive Islands was an Islamic monarchy that controlled theMaldives for 815 years (1153–1968), with one interruption from 1953–1954...
discussion of religion, however, remains tightly restricted. Inthe 2011 Freedom House Freedom of the Press annual report, theMaldives scores a 50, or...
2021. "2008 Constitution of Maldives". Government of Maldives. "India needs to find a sane way to discuss relative decline in Hindu population". Economic...
2010[update], excluding foreign workers in brackets: Data is based on the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life Maldives 100% Mauritania 99.9% Gaza Strip...
lost the state religion status it held prior to the 1789 French Revolution and during various non-republican regimes of the 19th century, including the Restoration...