While it might appear, superficially, like a
paradise, it don’t mean the Maldives ain’t hardline.
Shortly after four thousand Hamas commandoes and two thousand
hooting Gazan civilians began a day of butchery in Israel in
October 7, 2023, calls began in the Maldives for an immediate
ban on Israelis in that strictly Sunni Muslim island
chain.
Barely had the limbs of the slaughtered stopped twitching before
an open letter was posted by the Maldives Bodyboarding
Association.
“Maldives Bodyboarding Association and the entire surf community
strongly condemn and demand an end to the inhumane and unjust
actions carried out by Israel against Palestinians.
“We request that the Maldivian government enforce a ban on the
entry of Israelis to the Maldives. We also ask the government to
continue any efforts aimed at stopping the inhumane actions of
Israel and showing solidarity with the Palestinians. We call on the
Maldivian government to assist the Palestinians in any way they
can.”
While it might appear, superficially, like a paradise, it don’t
mean the Maldives ain’t hardline.
The Maldives bans any public practice of any religion other than
Sunni Islam, Shia not cool here, and if you ain’t Sunni Muslim, you
can’t be a citizen. Decide to quit being a Sunni Muslim
and you face the death penalty for apostasy.
A little aside here: The Sunnis and Shia split in 632 AD after
Muhammad’s death over who should lead Islam. Sunnis, most Muslims,
say leaders should be picked by the community. They follow the
Prophet’s teachings and trust elected successors. Shias, a smaller
group, believe leaders must come from Muhammad’s family, starting
with his cousin Ali.
Cue 1400 years of tension and war.
When ISIS was still big news, the Maldives gained “prominence as
a haven for jihadist recruitment” as locals streamed into Iraq and
Syria to join the big boys of the Jihadist game.
(Read,
Losing a Paradise to Terrorism.)
Eighteen months after October 7, the government has finally
passed a law banning Israeli passport holders from entering the
country.
President Mohamed Muizzu’s office said the decision underscores
the government’s strong stance against what it describes as the
ongoing violence and genocide perpetrated by Israel against
Palestinians.
A spokesperson for the president told AFP that the ban is
effective immediately.
The law specifies that entry to the Maldives with an Israeli
passport is prohibited until “Israel’s inhumane actions against
Palestinians, ongoing since October 7, 2023, cease.”
