In parliamentary elections on Sunday, 22 April, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC) party won control of the People’s Majlis (a social or cultural space in Arabic, this is often used in Muslim countries to describe a unicameral legislature). Mr Muizzu won last year’s presidential election in September, but his party was not expected to win these elections so convincingly. The president’s party has 70 out of 93 members in the legislature, with additional support coming from allied members, giving him a super-majority in parliament. The extensive power given to the executive raises concern for many, as it weakens checks and balances and essentially allows him to potentially even change the constitution.
Closer ties with China and soured relations with India are anticipated now that Mr Muizzu has majority support in parliament. Mr Muizzu had campaigned on promises to increase infrastructure development and reduce India’s influence and military presence in the Maldives, but has been limited since his inauguration by the outgoing opposition-controlled parliament, who blocked the adoption of some Chinese-funded infrastructure projects, for example. China and India have long competed for influence in the Maldives, with different Maldivian politicians favouring either side. The last president, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party), favoured India over China. He had enjoyed a super majority in parliament during his tenure, but won only 15 seats on Sunday. The Maldives is already heavily indebted to both countries, and the potential for greater debt to China is a concern, especially considering the vulnerability of the Maldives to debt traps.
Although the geostrategic significance of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean is clear from the China-India rivalry, the archipelago nation made up of 1,192 islands is most known for its beaches, warm weather and luxury resorts, attracting more than a million tourists every year (although it took a knock during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic). A record 1.88 million tourist arrivals were recorded in 2023. As the strongest economic driver in the country, the tourism industry provides over 70% of jobs.
From a Kingdom perspective, the Maldives also requires our attention. The Maldives declares itself to be 100% Muslim. According to Joshua Project, this is not the case, but all seven people groups remain ‘unreached’ according to their criteria. We do not know the true number of believers in the Maldives, but Joshua Project estimates the percentage to be around 0.03% of the population (0.01% of whom are evangelical). In the Maldives, Islam is considered to be inextricably tied to citizenship. Converts to Christianity can lose their citizenship, become ostracised and face various forms of violence and pressure. Foreign workers are allowed to practice their faith privately in their homes, as long as they do not influence locals. Expat gatherings are monitored by the authorities and evangelism is strictly prohibited. According to Open Doors, scrutiny of expats has increased under a decree passed by the Islamic Ministry in 2022. Open Doors ranks the Maldives as the 18th most difficult place to be a Christian.
Despite this restrictive environment, we know the LORD wants everyone to come to a saving knowledge of Christ. It is possible that God could use increased cooperation with China to open avenues for Chinese Christians to be sent to the Maldives in the form of ‘Business as Missions’ (BAM). The Chinese Church has shown a passion for cross-cultural missions and is familiar with persecution – being ranked 19th on the Open Doors World Watch List, just lower than the Maldives. The global Church can pray that the Lord will use these geopolitical relationships to reach the unreached in new ways, and encourage exposed and persecuted believers in the Maldives, as well as secret believers, to not lose faith. They face many trials, but may it produce perseverance and steadfastness in their hearts, growing in maturity and becoming ‘complete’ – not lacking anything (James 1:2-4).
Please pray with us for the following:
- For Mr Muizzu’s government to govern with integrity, humility and wisdom
- For the greater partnership with China to lead to greater avenues for the Gospel to reach the hearts of Maldivians
- For the Lord to protect Maldivian believers, and cause the local Church to grow in number and spiritual maturity, being encouraged in the face of trials
