New methods being used to spread other religions: Customs Commissioner General

Commissioner General of Customs Mohamed Ashwan has said that new types of items are being brought in by missionaries to spread other religions in Maldives.

Maldives Customs caught a Bangladeshi who brought in several books on Christianity written in Dhivehi last Thursday.

Ashwan said that the new books have information about the Bible and Christianity taken from the Quran, which makes them different from the books Customs had come across earlier.

“This is new. Earlier they used themes such as ‘love’. Now it’s even written in Dhivehi,” he said.

He said that this is the first time someone tried to bring in such books on a large scale and in such a conspicuous manner, but noted that there has been an upsurge in such activity.

“This is a serious problem, because they have changed their strategy, and because there is a Maldivian helping them,” he said.

A Maldivian travelling from Colombo, Sri Lanka was also caught with books on Christianity written English on the same day. He has not yet been arrested, but the matter is under investigation.

Ashwan said that he was not arrested because further investigation is required if English books are found with the Maldivian.

No action will be taken until Islamic Ministry conducts a thorough assessment of the books.

Maldives Customs has informed that the Bangladeshi arrived in Maldives on tourist visa, and that he had booked a hotel for his stay in Maldives.