The Maldives is regarded as a paradise for divers, surfers and other sun-loving tourists. But it is strongly prohibited to proclaim Jesus in this minor, Asian, island nation. Tentmakers who don’t mind working under tough, spiritual conditions are encouraged to hand in applications for the many job openings in the country.
Medical personnel in several categories, accountants, business executives, sales people and a great variety of workers in the tourism industry are some of the job openings currently available in the Maldives. The salary is decent. A medical doctor can easily make more than $3,500 per month. That is not bad in a country where the living costs are relatively low.
Below you’ll find links to websites where you can search for jobs in the Maldives. In most jobs you are expected to work 40 hours per week. In your spare time you can enjoy the many astonishing spots on the islands, do some diving or just relax on one of the many beaches that are enjoyable 12 months a year. You can of course also book a night or two in one of the many hotels that have “Paradise” as a part of their name and promise little less than “heavenly experiences” to their visitors.
The spiritual environment will however be challenging. Except Saudi Arabia, the Maldives is the only nation in the world claiming that 100 per cent of its citizens are Muslims. All of them belong to the Sunni branch of Islam. In fact it is prohibited for the 300.000 people carrying a Maldivian passport to have any other faith.
Recently new laws were enacted which limit the religious freedom even more both for the citizens and for expats working in the Maldives. According to a report made by the Religious Liberty Committee in World Evangelical Alliance the new law bans preaching of any other religion than Sunni Islam.
“It is illegal in the Maldives to propagate any faith other than Islam or to engage in any effort to convert anyone to any religion other than Islam. It is also illegal to display in public any symbols or slogans belonging to any religion other than Islam, or creating interest in such articles,” states the law that is named “The Protection of Religious Unity Act”.
The law also prohibits translation of non-Muslim religious books to the local language. Another clause says, “It is illegal to possess, distribute or publicize programs, writings, artworks and advertisements on religions other than Islam.” Maldivians who violate the new law may be imprisoned for up to five years. Foreigners “shall be handed over to the Department of Immigration and Emigration for deportation.”
– The new law will harm the Maldives’ international reputation and tourism industry, and hurt the country’s youth in particular. There have been instances of suicides by, and persecution of, Maldivians who have gone public about their disbelief in Islam. Crime and violence are also rising. The stifling of essential human freedoms is incompatible with both true Islam and liberal democracy, concludes WEA’s Religious Liberty Commission.