Maldivian Religion

Mosque in Maldives

"Conversion to Islam is linked to a mythical story which the locals refer to as the “Rannamaari" story."

Maldives is alOO% Islamic nation. However the country was a Buddhist state prior to mass conversion in 1153 AD. Archaeological evidence also confirms the existence of sun worshippers and other pagan practitioners in ancient times. Conversion to Islam is linked to a mythical story which the locals refer to as the “Rannamaari" story. The tale speaks of a sea monster‘ which the locals refer to as “Rannamaari" that terrorised the capital every full moon.

The people in order to appease the monster and to prevent rampant kilings offered a sacrificial virgin maiden to feed on. A travelling Moroccan Islamic scholar named Abu al Barakaath Ul Barbary was responsibie for slaying the “Rannamaari" through the recitation of verses from the Quran. The legend states that Abu al Barakaath made a stop over in Maldives during a routine voyage and stayed with a local family.

He was made aware of the “Rannamaari" and the sacrifices along with other local traditions by the family. He was also informed by the family that their daughter was chosen for the next upcoming sacrifice which made Abu al Barakaath formulate a plan to save her. On the sacrificial day he disguised himself as a giri taking the place of his host’s daughter and stayed at the altar near the beach built for the sacrifice. He started to recite the Quran upon seeing the monster surface from the ocean. The vibrations and spirituai power of his recitation killed the “Rannaamaari". sending it back to the depths of the ocean.

The King along with the locals arrived the next morning to the altar only to find the Moroccan still reciting the Quran. This miracle astonished and bewildered the King and after listening to Abu al Barakaath’s story issued an official decree ordering all Maldivians to convert to Islam. Abu al Barakaath’s body now rests in the tomb known as "Medhu Ziyaariay" which can be found in the capital Male’. Sufic sects have also been known to have existed and operated after conversion and they have been linked to the construction of tombs next to mosques. However‘ no such sect exists in the modern day and the country comprises of solely Sunni Muslims.