Maldives

Stats
•Population – 395,650
•Percentage of Evangelicals – N/A (0.1% Christian)
•Total Number of People Groups – 9
•Number of Unreached People Groups – 5
•Language Spoken – Maldivian Dhivehi
•Major Religion – Muslim (Sunni)
•Human Development Rank – 95
•Persecution Index – 5

Maldives became a republic in 1968. It had previously been under the hands of the British and the Dutch before them. After its independence, the political scene in Maldives was dominated by a president who stayed in office for 30 years. Recently, reforms have been made and another president has taken office. Maldives is predominantly Muslim. It is a collection of over 1,000 islands which provides a great environment for their tourist industry. However, tourists are only allowed to visit certain islands and stay for short periods of time as to reduce their influence on the Maldivian population. All Maldivian citizens must be Muslim, and converts lose citizenship. Expatriates comprise the percentage of the population that is not Muslim. Expatriates also make up the “reached” people groups. Several human rights organizations name Maldives as one of the world’s worst in regard to religious freedom. The few believers in Maldives suffer ostracism and cannot openly meet together nor read the Scriptures. The barriers to the spread of the Gospel and inability of outsiders to interact with locals create a difficult situation that is in need of much prayer.

•Ask the Lord to work in the hearts of the Maldivian government.
•Pray that the gospel will spread through and in spite of the barriers that are present.
•Pray for our Maldivian brothers and sisters that they will hold fast to the faith and the Lord will grant them perseverance.
•Pray for those being persecuted that the Lord will show Himself strong in their lives.
•Pray that the Lord will continue to grow and strengthen His Church there in Maldives.