19. Maldives

Region

Asia

Christian population

Hundreds​

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Main relegion

Islam

Main threats

• Islamic oppression

Total score

79%

Pressure

93.4%

Violence

4.4%

To be Maldivian is to be Muslim – and that makes converting to Christianity extremely dangerous. So in this conservative and tightly knit country, where neighbours and shopkeepers could report any signs of deviation, converts must practise their faith in absolute secrecy. That’s because the country’s constitution states the Maldives is “100% Muslim”. This is an isolating existence, particularly since there are no official churches in the Maldives.

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Attempts to gather as believers are fraught with risk. Even accessing Christian content online is impossible, as the government has outlawed the online access of non-Islamic materials. For those discovered to be Christian, they are sure to experience severe opposition from the authorities as well as from their families and local community.

Another problem is Islamic radicalisation (though not at a high level), including militants who have returned from previous fighting in Syria. And criminal gangs – often targets for jihadi recruiters – are liable to threaten anyone deemed insufficiently Muslim.

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It’s not just native Maldivians who face challenges. Immigrant and migrant Christians – mainly from India and Sri Lanka, who work in the thriving tourist sector, are closely monitored. Sharing their faith with others can be particularly risky.

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While the internet can provide some opportunity for foreign believers to access discipleship and community, they risk discovery.