Maldives raises fears of Islamic extremism

The Maldives yesterday said it feared the rise of Islamic extremism could blight the idyllic Indian Ocean tourist destination.
The government of President Mohamed Nasheed accused opposition activists of using religious rhetoric to stir trouble in the nation of 330,000 Sunni Muslims, who have been practising a liberal form of the religion.
The government said it was "extremely concerned" by an increase in extremist rhetoric that could lead to "stigmatization, stereotyping and incitement to religious violence and hatred".
Foreign embassies based in the capital Male were warned of the threat, a foreign ministry statement said.
A wave of recent anti-government protests in Male "represents a deeply worrying trend that can and will have a lasting negative impact on tolerance across Maldivian society", the statement said.
Despite the Islamic republic's reputation as a laid-back holiday paradise, there is growing concern about the influence of a minority of religious fundamentalists.
The Maldives became a full democracy in 2008 after holding its first multi-party elections.