Christians Expelled from Maldives

At least 15 foreign Christians have been expelled from the Republic of Maldives, a nation of 200 inhabited islands in the Indian Ocean, after government authorities launched unannounced searches of their homes. No official charges have been filed.

As many as 50 Maldivians also were arrested in June under suspicion of being Christians, which is illegal under the Maldivian constitution. The Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka reports they are being held in solitary confinement at the Dhoonidhoo prison and are likely being subjected to torture.

The national religion of Maldives is Islam and nearly all 280,000 residents are adherents, although a tiny native Christian population exists.

Recently, the country’s Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs warned Maldivians not to listen to Christian programs broadcast for the first time in the Dhivehi language by Far East Broadcasting Association from Seychelles or they would risk arrest.

Copyright © 1998 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also in this issue

Did the Exodus Never Happen? How two Egyptologists are countering scholars who want to turn the Old Testament into myth.

Cover Story

Did the Exodus Never Happen?

Dying Church Bequeaths Sanctuary to Anglicans

Classic & Contemporary Excerpts from September 07, 1998

Divided We Stand

Gagging on Shiny, Happy People

A Library in a Book

The Fox and the Writer

Ad Campaign Ignites Firestorm

Viewers Get Double Dose of Faith

Falwell Plans Biggest Sanctuary

Take the Pledge

Biblical Job Training Succeeds

Faith and Science in Dialogue

Christians Aid Tidal Wave Survivors

'Oldest Church' Discovered in Jordan

Racing Fans Can Find Faith at Track

Congress May Merge Efforts

Martyrs Carved in Stone

Latter Day Saints: Reorganized Latter Day Saints Aim to Grow After Revising Doctrines

News

News Briefs: September 07, 1998

The Last Temptation of Moses

Letters

Dialogue: Conversation or Competition?

Germany: Sects Not So Bad After All?

Greek Orthodox: Growing Unrest

Anglicans: Anglicans Deem Homosexuality 'Incompatible with Scripture'

Higher Education: Keeping Students in School

News

News Briefs: September 07, 1998

Editorial

When Lies Become News

King David Was Here

Still Surprised by Lewis

The Return of the Jewish Church

Mapping the Messianic Jewish World

Voucher Victory

God Is in the Blueprints

View issue

Our Latest

The Russell Moore Show

Benjamin Watson on Russell Moore

Christian justice, gospel-centered living, and faithful action

The Manosphere Gets Discipline Right and Dependence Wrong

Young men are right to want agency, clarity, and strength. But grit alone cannot carry them.

News

Amid Floods and Heat Waves, Indian Church Fights Climate Change

Christ Church in Kerala tends to its garden while helping its parishioners and neighbors live sustainably.

A Civil War of Words

Evangelical factions can increasingly be identified by our speech. We agree on big issues yet insult and talk past each other.

Is a Ban on Conversion Therapy Constitutional?

In her Supreme Court challenge, evangelical therapist Kaley Chiles calls the Colorado law a violation of her free speech.

Wire Story

Tony Evans Will No Longer Pastor Dallas Megachurch After Restoration

Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship announced that its pastor of 48 years won’t return to leadership. The church expects son Jonathan Evans to succeed him.

You Don’t Have to Be Radical

Most Christians aren’t monks, missionaries, or martyrs. We’re unimpressive and unsatisfactory—yet saved by God’s scandalous grace.

From a Village of Bandits to a Village of the Gospel

Stuartpuram in India’s Andhra Pradesh was once known for its armed robbers. Then the gospel changed them.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube