FIRST FOR INDEPENDENT NEWS IN THE MALDIVES. THE ISLAND PRESIDENT—A Documentary Film By Jon Shenk. Maldives. The 1997 Constitution designates Islam as the official state religion.
The Government interprets this provision to impose a requirement that citizens be Muslims. Freedom of religion is restricted significantly. The law prohibits the practice of any religion other than Islam. The president is the "supreme authority to propagate the tenets of Islam. " Government regulations are based on Islamic law (Shari'a).