Maldives: Paradise in Trouble

The Republic of Maldives is made up of about 1190 islands and known as a tourist paradise.

It is an oppressive Sunni Muslim regime where veiled women hide; corrupt ministers own resorts and radical Islamic groups oppose the business of tourism and its un-Muslim activities. It is the lowest-lying nation on earth and is at risk of disappearing from the world map, scientists say. Global warming and the melting of polar ice caps are causing sea levels to rise at a rate of about 2 mm (0,8 in) per year, endangering the survival of the small island nation, whose average height above the mean sea level is a mere 1 meter (3,3 ft.)

The Maldives held its first multiparty elections in 2008, following decades of autocratic rule of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Mr. Gayoom has been president of the Republic of Maldives since 11 November 1978. The first democratically elected president, Mohamed Nasheed, resigned in 2012 in the wake of opposition protests, and after a mutiny by police and the military.

Political unrest has also seen demonstrations by Islamic fundamentalists. There are signs that hardliners are gaining influence, especially on the more remote islands. Large numbers of the estimated 200 Maldivians have left to join IS.

The last known Maldivian to die in combat in Syria, Fuvahmulak island resident Ahmad Munsif, had multiple drug-related run-ins with police, and in 2012 spent time in prison for attempting to assault a police officer. His time with Islamic clerics, though, led him to clean up. In October 2014, he headed to the Islamic State with his wife, Suma Ali. (Source: www.indianexpress.com)