Christianity in the Maldives
Christians are a religious minority in the Maldives.
Situation of Christians
Sunni Islam is in accordance with the applicable since 1997 constitution of the country, the sole state religion. There is no tolerance for people of all other religions. The 1978-2008 autocratic ruling President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, a vocal representative of the supremacy of Islam in the Maldives, this is due, among other things, the defense of Western influences in religion and culture, and an otherwise impending loss of independence of the country.
The public practice of Christian religion is prohibited; Christian foreigners is permitted only in private to practice their religion. Christian mission is strictly prohibited. 1998 referred to all foreign Christians who were suspected to be missionaries in the country; 50 local Christians to have been imprisoned and tortured some. A representative of the Maldives in Colombo denied the reports on the persecution of Christians. The Christian aid organization Open Doors leads the Maldives in its World Watch List, indicating the extent of the persecution of Christians in seventh place.
Confessions
From the Roman Catholic Church, the Maldives have been counted since 1886, for the territory of the Archdiocese of Colombo ( Sri Lanka). According to the World Christian Encyclopedia exist in the Maldives, the Anglican Church of South India, the Mennonites ( including the Evangelical Mennonite Church ) and the Seventh- day Adventist Church.