Maldives Kirpan Ban

Kirpan Ban in Maldives shows Sikhs still face continued racism in multiple countries

A newly wed Sikh couple from UK recently went to Maldives for vacation. Upon arrival they discovered Maldives had a policy against the Kirpan. The couple were very distressed as their Kirpans were seized from them by Airport Security. The security informed the couple that Maldives is an Islamic country and serious violations of local laws may lead to a prison sentence. Public observance of any other religion other than Islam is prohibited, including materials deemed contrary to Islam. The security officials referred to the Sikh Kirpan as part of what they considered to be “idols for worship”.

Sikh Council UK took this matter up with the Maldives High Commission UK and the British High Commission Maldives; in addition to this the couple wrote requesting urgent intervention to the Director General, at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, as well as the Prime Minister Maldives.

There has been very little response from any of the officials. One response in particular from the British High Commission was as follows:

“I regret that we cannot intervene in this case as you have request because the Maldives constitution and other laws and policies restrict religious freedom and, in practice, the government enforced these restrictions. The 2008 constitution designates Islam as the official state religion and the law prohibits the practice by citizens of any religion other than Islam.  While we cannot intervene in individual cases the British government discusses religious freedom with the government of the Maldives as part of its overall policy to promote human rights which include the freedom of religion and religious expression”.

Sikh Council has issued following notice to Amritdharhi Sikhs. Amritdharis intending to take a vacation to the Madives should not be under the impression that a stern approach will overcome the problem, as far as we are aware the couple made every effort to help the officials understand the importance of the Kirpan as well as informing them that they were unable to eat without having the Kirpan ‘on person’. Furthermore the couple informed the officers that they would be fully compliant to law of the country and securely wear the Kirpan under their garments. They had complied fully already to security regulations in removing the Kirpan from person during travel and securely storing them in ‘check in’ luggage. Despite all this the Kirpans were seized from the couple by the security officers who were not open to any reasoning, in-fact the officials resorted to scare tactics by having a strong military presence.

The Kirpans were returned to the couple at time of departure merely due to the level of distress the couple expressed.

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