Maldives Blocks Access To Christian Website

In the Maldives, the restrictive Protection of Religious Unity Act prohibits dissemination of information on non-Muslim religions. (Forum 18 background.) According to Minivan News today, the Maldives Ministry of Islamic Affairs this week blocked access to a website, Sidahitun.com, which contains information about Christianity in the Dhivehi language that is spoken in the Maldives. Sheikh Ibrahim Fareed Ahmed supported the ban, saying: "Although this is an Islamic society, some Maldivians' faith in Islam is not very strong." The Maldives 2008 Constitution (Sec. 27) provides: "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought and the freedom to communicate opinions and expression in a manner that is not contrary to any tenet of Islam."