Maldives
RESTRICTED
Capital
Malé
Size
About 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC.
Main Languages
Dhivehi
Time
At 6:00 a.m. U.S. Central Standard Time, it is 4:00 p.m. in Maldives.
History
Islam came to the Maldives in the 12th century. The Maldives became independent from Britain in 1965. Today many of its citizens are poor. A big tsunami in 2004 destroyed many homes. People in the Maldives fear that sea levels will rise and their country will disappear.
Islam came to the Maldives in the 12th century. The Maldives became independent from Britain in 1965. Today many of its citizens are poor. A big tsunami in 2004 destroyed many homes. People in the Maldives fear that sea levels will rise and their country will disappear.
Religion
Muslim.
Persecution
Islam is the official religion. No citizen may practice any other religion. Parents must raise their children as Muslims. Visitors from other countries may practice their religion, but only in private. There are no non-Muslim buildings of worship. No one may encourage another person to follow a religion other than Islam.
