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preface
The Maldives is an island nation of 26 atolls and 1,190 coral islands located in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
In the 12th century, Islam was introduced to the Maldives and gradually became the dominant religion in the country.
The introduction of Islam is linked to the geographical location and commercial ties of the island nation.
Located on the main maritime communication route between East Africa and India, the Maldives has been an important part of the Silk Road since ancient times.
With the arrival of Arab traders, Islam was also introduced to the Maldives.
In the 12th century, a number of Persian and Arab traders settled in the Maldives, bringing with them the faith and culture of Islam.
Over time, Islam has grown in Maldivian society and has become an important part of Maldivian culture and society.
This essay aims to explore the historical background of the introduction of Islam to the Maldives in the 12th century and its political, economic and social impact.
I. The historical background of the introduction of Islam into the Maldives
1.1 How Islam came to the Maldives
Islam was introduced to the Maldives in the 12th century, mainly due to the country's geographical location and commercial connections.
Located in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is an important node on the maritime communication route between East Africa and India.
The Maldives has been an important part of the Silk Roads since ancient times.
With the arrival of Arab traders, Islam was also introduced to the Maldives.
In addition, some Persian and Arab traders settled in the Maldives in the 12th century, bringing with them the faith and culture of Islam.
Legend has it that in 1153 AD, a sage from Moldova named Abu Barakatu Barbari came to the Maldives on a boat and began spreading Islam.
He was the first to spread Islam in the Maldives and is also considered one of the founders of Islam in the country.
1.2 The process and influence of Islam in the Maldives
The spread of Islam in the Maldives has been relatively slow but steady.
In the 12th century, the spread of Islam was mainly through traders and sages.
These people educate the local population about the faith and culture of Islam, while also providing local health care, education and other basic services.
Over time, Islam gradually became the dominant religion in the Maldives.
In the early 13th century, the kings of the Maldives were threatened by the Maldives who tried to conquer the Maldives.
In this context, the king of the Maldives turned to Islam and gradually established Islam as the state religion.
Since then, the political, economic and social life of the Maldives has come to be influenced by Islam.
Politically, Islam has become an important symbol of Maldivian national identity.
The Maldivian kings began to present themselves as guardians of Islam and used it to consolidate their dominance.
Islam has also influenced the legal system of Maldivian society, and Sharia law is used as the basis for judicial practice, as well as people's daily lives and norms of behaviour.
On the economic front, the spread of Islam has also had an impact on business activity in the Maldives.
In Islam, business is a complimented act, and interest is prohibited to encourage fair trade and cooperation.
This economic mindset has influenced the business activities of Maldivian merchants and businesses, and has also had a positive impact on the economic development of the Maldives.
Culturally, the spread of Islam has brought about profound changes in Maldivian culture.
The original culture and traditions of the Maldives were gradually replaced by Islamic culture and customs, such as dress, food and religious festivals.
Maldivian architecture has also been influenced by Islam, such as mosques and Arabesque houses in the Islamic architectural style.
The influence of Islam on Maldivian politics
2.1. National policy
The Maldives has been an Islamic country since 1978.
Islam's influence on the Maldivian state policy is profound, the country's constitution stipulates Islam as the official religion, and the government needs to follow the teachings and principles of Islam.
For example, the Maldivian government prohibits the sale of non-Islamic foods such as alcohol and pork, protecting Islamic values and ethics.
2.2 Law
The legal system of the Maldives is also influenced by Islam.
The Maldives applies Islamic law, which incorporates Islamic principles and teachings into the national legal and judicial system.
According to the Constitution and laws of the Maldives, all legal cases need to be tried on the basis of Sharia law.
2.3 The ruler's beliefs
The rulers of the Maldives have always been devout Muslims, and their decisions and actions have also been influenced by Islam.
For example, former President Abdullah Yameen built a large mosque in the country to strengthen the country's support for Islam.
The current president, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, is also a devout Muslim and has pledged to continue to protect the Maldives' Islamic identity and traditions under his leadership.
2.4 Changes by Islam to the Maldivian political system
One of the biggest influences of Islam on the Maldivian political system has been the transfer of political power.
For the past few decades, the Maldives has been under the rule of authoritarian politics, but since 2008, with the changing political situation and the increasing influence of Islam in the country, the political system in the Maldives has gradually begun to transform into a more democratic and transparent one.
The influence of Islam on the life of Maldivian society is also very profound.
In Maldivian society, the rules and principles of Islam run through people's lives.
For example, marriage and divorce laws in the Maldives are based on Sharia law, and marriage or divorce is only possible if it complies with Sharia law.
In addition, Islamic customs and rituals are an integral part of daily life in the Maldives.
The impact of Islam on the Maldivian economy
3.1 The role of Islam in promoting the Maldivian economy
Islamic teachings encourage merchants to engage in trading activities, so the spread of Islam in the Maldives has promoted trade and commerce in the country.
Historically, the Maldives was an important commercial transit point in the heart of the Indian Ocean, trading with neighboring countries such as India, China, Arabia and other places.
Muslim merchants used seafaring technology to connect the small island nation to the vast web of the world economy, further contributing to the Maldives' economic prosperity.
Islam has played an important role in this process.
The development and spread of Islam was linked to trade and navigation in the Middle East.
Due to its special geographical location, the Maldives has become an important node for maritime trade.
Muslim traders carried out ocean-going trade by taking advantage of seasonal winds and currents, bringing Islam to the Maldives in the process.
These merchants left a profound influence in the Maldives, where many cultural traditions are associated with Islam.
3.2 The transformation of Islam's economic model in the Maldives
In the past, the economy of the Maldives was mainly dependent on agriculture, such as growing coconuts and producing fish.
However, with the development of tourism, the economic model of the Maldives has shifted.
Islam has played an important role in this process, as the Maldivian government has adopted an approach based on Islamic principles in developing tourism.
For example, the government stipulates that tourism must comply with Islamic ethics, such as prohibition of alcoholism and gambling.
This tourism development based on Islamic principles has maintained the cultural traditions and religious values of the Maldives to a certain extent, and at the same time attracted more and more tourists to visit, driving the economic development of the Maldives.
3.3 Finance and Banking
Islam has also had a profound impact on finance and banking.
According to Islamic teachings, interest is prohibited, so Shariah banks provide financial services in the form of interest-free loans and profit sharing.
The Maldives has also begun to adopt Islamic concepts in finance and banking, and has developed Islamic banks and financial institutions, providing new impetus for economic development.
The influence of Islam on Maldivian society
4.1 Society and culture
After the introduction of Islam to the Maldives, it gradually replaced the original Buddhist faith and became the main religion in the country.
This change in religion also brought about a change in culture.
For example, the architecture, clothing, cuisine, etc. of the Maldives have been influenced by Islamic culture.
Architecturally, the traditional Maldivian "open-air dwelling" evolved into houses with walls and roofs.
In terms of clothing, the traditional "fishtu" (a male belt) was replaced by an Islamic robe.
In terms of cuisine, since Islam forbids pork and alcohol consumption, the Maldivians' diet is also almost free of pork and alcohol.
4.2 Influence of religious practice
The introduction of Islam also brought about changes in religious practices.
Maldivian mosques began to spread in popularity, and activities such as prayers in mosques, pilgrimages to the holy site of Mecca, fasting and donations for disaster relief were also popularized.
In addition, the Islamic faith has influenced the education and legal system in the Maldives.
Traditional education in the Maldives is conducted by religious people, and the introduction of Islam has also promoted the popularization of education in the Maldives.
In terms of the legal system, the Maldivian legal system is also influenced by Islamic law, such as marriage law and inheritance law.
4.3 Social life impacts
The introduction of Islam also had a profound impact on social life in the Maldives.
First, Islam emphasizes family harmony and responsibility to family members.
Therefore, in the Maldives, family ties are relatively close, and family and kinship relationships are valued.
Secondly, Islam prohibits adultery, extramarital affairs, etc., which makes the Maldivian marriage system more stable and the marriage relationship more important.
In addition, Islam encourages charity and relief, which has led to rapid development of philanthropy in the Maldives.
4.4 Changes in the social structure
The introduction of Islam gave religious leaders an important position in Maldivian society.
In the Maldives, religious leaders are responsible for guiding people's religious practices and codes of conduct, and are also important players in community affairs and conflict resolution.
As a result, the status and authority of religious leaders has been greatly enhanced.
The introduction of Islam also led to the emergence of a social hierarchy in the Maldives.
In Islam, there is a distinction between nobles and commoners, and Maldivian society has begun to distinguish between nobles and commoners.
The nobility mainly refers to people who own land, wealth and power, while commoners are laborers and ordinary residents.
This hierarchy has existed throughout Maldivian history and still exists in modern society.
4.5 Changes in the political system
The introduction of Islam also had an impact on the Maldivian political system.
In the traditional political system of the Maldives, local administration is the responsibility of the chiefs of the islands ("Ali"), while the central government consists of the chiefs of several islands.
However, with the introduction of Islam, mosques became centers of political and social activity, and religious leaders began to exert greater political influence.
As a result, the political system in the Maldives has gradually changed from a traditional association of local administrations and island chiefs to a centralized one.
Author's point of view
On the political front, Islam has brought about a new political system and social order, established Sharia law and Islamic culture, which has played a positive role in the political stability and social development of the Maldives.
Economically, Islam has facilitated commerce and foreign trade in the Maldives, making it an important Islamic center in the Indian Ocean.
On the social front, Islam has changed the social fabric and values of the Maldives and strengthened family and community ties, while also strengthening the faith and self-identity of the Maldivian people.
In terms of culture, Islam has had a profound impact on the language, literature, art and other aspects of the Maldives, forming a unique Islamic culture and artistic style.
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