In the island group of the Maldives trouble is brewing. In 2008, a new constitution was introduced preventing non-Muslims from becoming Madivian citizens. Articvle 9d states that “a non-muslim may not become a citizen of the Maldives.” This sees those of other faiths stripped of their existing Maldivian citizenship with the strong posibility of abusive treatment and imprisonment without a trial!   
   
Barnabus Fund reported in their January 2010 E-mail newsletter the Maldives People's      Majlis (Parliament) now had another more drastic bill that will effect non-Muslims  worshipping in their country.

Nasheed, a former Amnesty International prisoner of conscience, has promised radical reforms - to root out corruption, deliver better healthcare and communications to remote islands and cut state spending. So far no changes have been implemented.

The Bill

“The People's Majilis ( Parliament) of the Maldives has been debating a bill to ban non-muslim places of worship. The bill, proposed by Ibrahim Muttalib MP, would make it illegal to build non-muslim places of worship or to PRACTICE NON MUSLIM FAITHS IN PUBLIC. Punishment proposed is a jail term for three to five years or a fine between US$2,800 and US$4,700.”

Muttalib's argument for the bill is to maintain Islamic principles in the country and to prevent the spread of non-muslim faiths. He expressed concern that there was no legal barrier as yet to stop non-muslim places of worship. He believes there should be legislation explicitly preotecting Islam against the phenomenon of  the 'wedding tourism' happening and that it would 'indirectly set up churches in this country.'

Some have called for the bill to ban non-muslim worship even in private homes but admitted to monitor that would be nearly impossible. Other MP's argue that there should be  harsher penalties...jail terms for TEN years and foreigners not allowed to return to the country for ten years.
   

Muttalib: My next bill will outlaw Human Rights

President Mohamed Nasheed has said before ratifying the bill he will seek advice from Islamic scholars. Sharia law apparently allows for Jews and Christians to keep their places of worship but not build new ones.
   
Hindus are 'pagans' and not even allowed to keep existing places of worship.

News agencies around the country say the debate does not centre on whether or not non-muslims should have a place for worship; it is taken for granted that THEY SHOULD NOT.

The Minister of State for Islamic Affairs commented that non-muslim places of worship are only necessary IN COUNTRIES WHERE THERE IS RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY. He said this does not apply to the Maldives, which he claims is ONE HUNDRED PERCENT MUSLIM.
       
Article 10 of the constitution states that Islam shall be the basis of all laws in the Maldives and no laws contrary to any tenet of Islam shall be enacted.

Surprisingly, sane MP's pointed out that Maldivians travelling abroad have the freedom to practice Islam, so non muslim foreigners should be allowed to worship in private while in the Maldives. Also discussed was the fact that Mohammed had allowed Jews and Christians to practice their faiths in Medina but this was rejected by Muttalib as he quoted Islamic scholars saying that example in Medina was superseded BY LATER COMMANDS OF MOHAMMED.

Two final arguments in favour of the bill said  the bill ensured there would be  NO possibility of advocating freedom of religion and it was important to stop human rights organizations from trying to impose freedom of religion on the
Maldives. “