Customs reveals attempts to introduce Christianity into Maldivian society through native language

Maldives Custom Service stated that Christianity is being spread in Dhivehi, the Maldivian native language, by envelops with sealed information from all over the world.

Customs found that they had received posts from different places with information about Christianity translated into Dhivehi. The information is sealed in an envelope, addressed to various government bodies, businesses and to homes of citizens. According to investigations made by customs, the receiving end has no idea what these envelopes are in relation to.

Under the law that protects Islam (94/6), clause number 4, Article 7, bringing in books about other religions into the Maldives, advertising those books, exposing the Maldivian society to it, conducting exhibitions in regards to it, selling and distributing the books is prohibited in the Maldives. Furthermore, according to the law that prohibits bringing in certain items to the Maldives (75/4), clause number 4a, books, magazines, news articles, tapes, DVD’s and any items that portray values or ways of life against Islam is prohibited to be created, used, sold or spread in the Maldives.

In accordance to Maldives Custom’s law, clause number 4f, Customs are required to hold any such posts.

Furthermore, Customs is working with the Police in order to find the parties responsible and bring a stop to this matter.

While Islam is the state religion of the Maldives, the country’s constitution requires that citizenship status be based on adherence to the state religion.