Embrace Islam Day: Why Maldives Has Remained 100% Muslim

Muslim girls celebrating

Embrace Islam Day is celebrated in The Maldives on the 1^st of Rabi al Thani (Rabi al Akhar) every year. 

The Maldives is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean southwest of Sri Lanka. Its capital is Male and it has a small population of 515, 696 which is 100% Muslim.

Buddhism was the predominant religion in the Maldives until the early 12th century. At that time, the last Buddhist king converted to Islam, adopting the Muslim title of Sultan. Islam is so prevalent in the Maldives today that the constitution states that anyone who does not adhere to Islam may not become a citizen of the Maldives. 

The day was first celebrated in the early rule of Sultan Mohamed Fareed in 1954. However, for 33 years after that, there was no celebration. It was reinstated by the then President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 2000.

Legend Of The Conversion

Legend has it that Rannamaari, an evil sea-demon, arose from the sea each month threatening to destroy villages unless a virgin was sacrificed. Each month, a young girl was chosen by lottery and left in a temple overnight as sacrifice.

A Muslim traveler from Morocco, Abu'l Barakat al-Barbari al-Maghribi whose real name was Yusuf Shamsuddin-al Tebrezi, was staying with a poor family whose daughter was chosen for sacrifice. The Muslim traveler felt pity for the poor family and knowing how much Islam abhors idolatry, he resolved to help them out and end the practice.

He planned with the family and disguised himself as their daughter. The monks of the temple came for ‘her’ and took ‘her’ to the temple where ‘she’ was to be left for consumption by the demon. All night, Yusuf Shamsuddin-al Tebrezi recited the Qur’an. When the demon came to take its monthly meal, it heard the words of the Qur’an and miraculously turned away. The citizens arrived at the temple in the morning, they found Yusuf alive and still reciting the Qur’an.

Yusuf told the villagers that it was the powers in the Holy Quran that saved him. He asked the king to embrace Islam in order to keep the country safe from the demon’s return. The king took his advice, embraced Islam and ordered the entire country to do the same. The demon never returned.

What Happens On This Day

The day is meant to be a day of religious unity. Activities are arranged by the Ministry of Home Affairs which includes Qur’an recitation competitions, Islamic lectures and ceremonies. Villages also have their own celebrations that include telling stories about the history of the conversion in the Maldives. This year 2019, it will be celebrated on the 29^th of November.