A 500 mile-long string of 1,190 islands in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives became a one-party republic in 1968, three years after independence. One president dominated the islands' political scene for 30 years.

Political parties were legalised in 2005, and in June 2008, a constituent assembly finalized a new constitution. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008. President Maumoon Gayoom was defeated in a runoff poll by Mohamed Nasheed, a political activist who had been jailed several years earlier by the former regime. The opposition’s victory brought some limited freedoms, but not in the religious sphere.

Islam is the only recognized religion. The open practise of all other religions is forbidden. Sunni
Islam is strongly promoted for national unity and preservation of the government’s power, but a more fundamentalist brand of Islam has rapidly grown in size and influence in recent years. Almost all adherents of other religions are foreigners.

In 1998, all known Christian foreigners were expelled from the country, and all known Maldivian Christians were arrested and released only after intense international pressure. Maldivians who become Christians abroad have been known to disappear when they return home, never to be heard from again. Today, in a nation of 314,000 people, Christians make up less than one-half of 1 percent of the population.

Prayer Requests

• Pray for Maldivians who believe—for their protection and courage in the face of great trials and for opportunities to grow in and spread their faith.
• Pray that the religious freedom of Maldivian Christians will be recognised