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Christianity is a minority religion in the Maldives. The Maldives are among the countries with the least tolerance towards Christians. According to President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, no religion other than Islam should be allowed in the Maldives. Public practise of the Christian religion is prohibited. In 1998, all known Christian foreigners were expelled and all indigenuous Christians were arrested. Christian missionaries are not allowed. According to the World Christian Encyclopedia (2nd edition), Volume 1, p. 480 the Church of South India, the Evangelical Mennonite Church and the Seventh-day Adventists are present in this country. Roman Catholics in the Maldives are covered by the Archdiocese of Colombo. Citizens of the Maldives who convert to Christianity lose their citizenship and risk torture. Expulsions of Christians occurred several times in the last 10 years. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom stated that the independence of the country is lost, if it is not entirely Muslim. The Maldivian High Commission in Colombo stated in 1998, that reports of persecution are wrong.
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