Islam in the Maldives facts for kids

Mosque Minareth from Male (Maldives)

Islam is the most widespread and the official religion of the Maldives.

Role of Islam in Maldivian society

Islam is the state religion of Maldives, and adherence to it is legally required for citizens by a revision of the constitution in 2008: Article 9, Section D states that a non-Muslim may not become a citizen of the Maldives.

The traditional Islamic law code of shariah, known in Dhivehi as sariatu, forms the Maldives' basic code of law, as interpreted to conform to local Maldivian conditions by the President, the attorney general, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Majlis. On the inhabited islands, the miski, or mosque, forms the central place where Islam is practiced. Because Friday is the most important day for Muslims to attend mosque, shops and offices in towns and villages close around 11 a.m., and the sermon begins by 12:30 p.m.

Adhan (prayer) sessions are held five times daily. Mudimu, the mosque caretakers, make the call. Most shops and offices close for fifteen minutes after each call. During the ninth Muslim month of Ramadan, cafés and restaurants are closed during the day, and working hours are limited.

Mosques in the Maldives

Most inhabited Maldivian islands have several mosques; Malé has more than thirty. Most traditional mosques are whitewashed buildings constructed of coral stone with corrugated iron or thatched roofs.

In Malé, the Islamic Center and the Grand Friday Mosque, built in 1984 with funding from the Persian Gulf states, Pakistan, Brunei, and Malaysia, are imposing elegant structures. The gold-colored dome of this mosque is the first structure sighted when approaching Malé. In mid-1991 Maldives had a total of 725 mosques and 266 women's mosques.

Images for kids

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  A Plaque in Hukuru Mosque, Malé, Maldives, placed by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar on which Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari's name is written. Yusuf was a Moroccan who is said to have converted Maldives in 12th century AD to Islam.

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  Malé Friday Mosque Minaret, 1981

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  The Medhu Ziyaaraiy or Central Tomb where Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari was buried

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  Inside of the Tomb of Kuda Muhammad Rasgefaanu on the cemetery of Malé Hukuru Miskiy

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  Outside of the Tomb of Kuda Muhammad Rasgefaanu on the cemetery of Malé Hukuru Miskiy

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  Inside of the Tomb of Kan'baa Aisha on the cemetery of Malé Hukuru Miskiy (1/2)

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  Inside of the Tomb of Kan'baa Aisha on the cemetery of Malé Hukuru Miskiy Where daughter of sultan Iskandhar, Aisha Ranikilege's grave near Mother of sultan Iskandhar, Kan'baa Aisha Ranikilege's grave(2/2)

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  Outside of the Tomb of Kan'baa Aisha on the cemetery of Malé Hukuru Miskiy

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  Dadimagi miskit in Fuvahmulah, 1981

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  Kede-ere miskit in Fuvahmulah, 1981

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  Gen Miskit, Fuvahmulah, 1984

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  Dharavandhoo Friday Mosque

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  Bandos island mosque, North Male Atholl

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  A mandala on the ceiling of Darumavanta Rasgefaanu mosque, Malè. Lacquered wood carving. The damaged Mandala was covered with a simple geometrical drawing painted on plywood.

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  Photograph of a mandala on the ceiling. Lacquered wood carving; quite damaged. Kalhuhuraage mosque, Malè, Maldives, 1987

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  Photograph of a mandala carving on wooden door panel. Fua Mulaku Island, 1986

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  Photograph of a mandala on the ceiling. Lacquered wood carving. 'Idu mosque, Malè, 1989

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  Old Mosque of Malé, white coral decorations

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  Sample of decorative Arabic writing on lacquered wooden panel. Idu Miskit, Malé

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  Filitheyo graveyard

See also

In Spanish: Islam en las Maldivas para niños