Editing Maldives (section)

===Religion===
{{See also|Religion in the Maldives}}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in the Maldives<ref name="religion"/>
|label1= Islam
|value1 = 98.69
|color1 = Green
|label2 = Christianity
|value2 = 0.29
|color2 = Purple
|label3 = [[Agnostics]]
|value3 = 0.29
|color3 = Red
|label4 = [[Hindu]]
|value4 = 0.29
|color4 = Lightblue
|label5 = Others
|value5 = 0.74
|color5 = White
}}
After the long [[Buddhism in the Maldives|Buddhist period of Maldivian history]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Conversion of the Maldives to Islam |url=http://www.maldivesstory.com.mv:80/site%20files/after%20islam/latest/conversion-frames.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030509021536/http://www.maldivesstory.com.mv/site%20files/after%20islam/latest/conversion-frames.htm |archive-date=9 May 2003 |website=Maldives Story}}</ref> Muslim traders introduced Islam. Maldivians converted to Islam by the mid-12th century. The islands have had a long history of [[Sufism|Sufic]] orders, as can be seen in the history of the country such as the building of tombs. They were used until as recently as the 1980s for seeking the help of buried [[saint]]s. They can be seen next to some old mosques and are considered a part of the Maldives's [[cultural heritage]].

Other aspects of [[tassawuf]], such as ritualised [[dhikr]] ceremonies called Maulūdu ([[Mawlid]]) – the [[liturgy]] of which included recitations and certain supplications in a melodic tone – existed until very recent times. These Maulūdu festivals were held in ornate tents specially built for the occasion. At present Islam is the official religion of the entire population, as adherence to it is required for citizenship.

According to Arab traveller [[Ibn Battuta]], the person responsible for this conversion was a Sunni Muslim visitor named Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari, sailing from what is today [[Morocco]]. He is also referred to as [[Tabrizugefaanu]]. His venerated tomb now stands on the grounds of Medhu Ziyaaraiy, across the street from the Friday Mosque, or [[Malé Friday Mosque|Hukuru Miskiy]], in Malé. Originally built in 1153 and re-built in 1658,<ref name="Yoosuf"/> this is one of the country's oldest surviving mosques.

In 2013, scholar Felix Wilfred of [[University of Oxford|Oxford University]] estimated the number of Christians in Maldives as 1,400 or 0.4% of the country's population.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Oxford Handbook of Christianity in Asia| first=Felix |last=Wilfred|year= 2014| isbn= 9780199329069|page=45|publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref>

Since the adoption of the [[Constitution of the Maldives#2008 Constitution|2008 constitution]] citizens and anyone wishing to become citizens is required by law to nominally follow [[Sunni Islam]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Maldives |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/maldives/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304134513/https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religious-freedom/maldives/ |archive-date=4 March 2024 |access-date=18 February 2024 |website=[[United States Department of State]] |publisher=Office of International Religious Freedom}}</ref> which would make Maldives a 100% Muslim country in theory. But residents, tourists, and guest workers are free to be of any religion and practise them in private. However, in 2020, studies found that 0.29% of the population is Christian (roughly split between [[Catholic]] and [[Protestant]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Profiles &#124; World Religion |url=https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?REGION=0&u=146c&u=140c&u=23r |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814204149/https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?REGION=0&u=146c&u=140c&u=23r |archive-date=14 August 2023 |accessdate=1 September 2023 |website=[[Association of Religion Data Archives]]}}</ref>