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The Maldives is an island paradise popular for welcoming tourists from around the world – but the welcome sadly doesn’t extend to Maldivians who choose to follow Jesus.
This nation of 1,000-plus islands declares itself to be 100 per cent Muslim, so being a citizen of the Maldives means being a Muslim. Within the country’s close-knit communities, any deviation from Islamic values is easily spotted and reported to the authorities or Muslim leaders. Those who leave Islam must keep their faith secret. It's so dangerous that husbands, wives and children may even hide their faith from one another. If discovered, believers may be stripped of their citizenship, isolated from society and lose their state benefits for violating Sharia (Islamic law).
While foreign Christians – who mostly work in the tourist sector – have slightly more freedom than converts, their gatherings are strictly monitored and controlled by the authorities. That said, many prefer not to organise meetings, for fear of the repercussions. Foreign Christians (whether tourists or migrant workers) are strictly forbidden from sharing their faith with Maldivians.
In September 2023, the country elected a new president who sought a lot of support from conservative Islamic groups. Additionally, in 2024, the president's party and his allies won a super-majority in Parliament.
Radical Islam is a concern for the authorities. So far, Christians have not been a particular target for extremists, but this is more due to them keeping a low profile than for them not being considered a target.
Persecution is particularly prevalent on the islands which are not reserved for international tourists.
Christians from a Muslim background face by far the most severe persecution as – officially – they do not exist in the country. Every Maldivian is required to be a Muslim and anyone leaving Islam will lose their citizenship.
The Maldives rose two places on this year's World Watch List; the level of pressure on Christians remains very high. Going to church is impossible, and the Maldives is among the few countries where the World Watch List methodology registers almost maximum points in persecution score for ‘church life’. Despite a newly elected government, no improvements for the situation of Christians and other religious minorities are expected in the near future.
Open Doors raises prayer support for persecuted believers in the Maldives.
Lord Jesus, we thank You that, even in a country so closed off, You are present and building Your church in the Maldives. Strengthen and protect secret Christians today as they seek to follow You and reveal Your love to those around them. Draw near to isolated Christians, and migrant believers who are facing threats for meeting together. Help Christians to find creative ways of sharing their faith, and open the eyes of the global community to see the plight of the persecuted Maldivian church, Amen.
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