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MaldivesRestricted
Christian Persecution in Maldives
Overview:
The Maldives is one of the most restricted nations in the world, with fewer than 30 known indigenous believers. Any Maldivian who follows Christ must remain secret or face imprisonment or expulsion from the country. The Maldivian government seeks to eliminate or greatly minimize outside influences that could affect its citizens’ cultural identity, which includes complete commitment to Islam.
Major Religion:
Even though many Maldivians have little knowledge of the Islamic faith, all Maldivians are officially required to be Sunni Muslims, and the government enforces this rule without exception.
Persecutor:
The government is the main persecutor, and Maldivian society is aligned with the country’s commitment to ensuring that every Maldivian remains a Muslim. In addition to government persecution, seekers and converts receive tremendous pressure from their families and communities.
What It Means To Follow Christ In The Maldives
The country’s oppressive anti-Christian government and culture make it one of the world’s most challenging regions for Christian work. Seekers and new converts experience extreme social pressure. Small, close-knit island communities enable the government to maintain tight control over the population. Christian converts have been imprisoned in attempts to pressure them to renounce Christ and return to Islam, and they are usually forced to leave their homes and perhaps even the country.
Access To Bibles:
It is illegal to import Bibles, but some Maldivians access Scripture through the internet. Translation of the Bible into Dhivehi, the main language of the Maldives, is ongoing, but the work has been difficult and slow because of the small number of Christian converts who are able and willing to help with translation. Give Bibles
VOM Work:
VOM uses creative, covert methods to share the gospel inside the Maldives. Give to VOM’s Global Ministry
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for Maldivian Christians, who face imprisonment or expulsion if their faith is discovered.
- Pray for Bible translation work in Dhivehi, the language of the Maldives.
- Pray that front-line workers will find creative, effective approaches to sharing the gospel.
- Pray that Maldivians who are led to Christ through the internet or social media will grow in faith.
- Pray that new Christians in the Maldives will find ways to be discipled in the faith.