Why Black Magic Entered Maldivian Politics

Introduction

Belief in black magic has long existed in the Maldives, but its appearance in modern politics is a much more specific phenomenon. Rather than reflecting a nationwide panic, recent episodes show how supernatural allegations can become political tools during periods of uncertainty, elite rivalry and intense public speculation. Rumours about sorcery have been used to explain unexpected political success, alleged shifts in influence around senior leaders, and conflicts within governing circles. The result is that claims which cannot be independently verified can nevertheless shape headlines, social media discussion and public perceptions of political events.[Human Rights Watch]hrw.orgHuman Rights WatchNo Need for Sorcery to Stifle Democracy in the Maldives | Human Rights WatchAugust 24, 2018…Published: August 24, 2018

The available evidence also requires caution. Some allegations have been repeated widely by media outlets and online commentators despite limited official confirmation. Distinguishing between documented police actions, political rumour and proven fact is therefore essential when examining the role of supernatural beliefs in Maldivian politics.

Why black magic became a political explanation

The Maldives combines a modern electoral system with a society in which many people remain familiar with traditional beliefs about harmful supernatural practices. Although Islamic teaching condemns sorcery, belief that it can influence health, fortune or relationships has persisted in parts of society. This provides a cultural framework in which political events can sometimes be interpreted through supernatural rather than purely strategic or institutional explanations.[EFE Noticias]efe.comNoticias Row Surrounding the Alleged Lack of Magic in the MaldivesEFE NoticiasRow Surrounding the Alleged Lack of Magic in the Maldives - EFE Noticias…

Political competition also creates fertile ground for invisible explanations. Elections often produce unexpected victories or defeats, shifting alliances and sudden changes in elite fortunes. Where political motives are difficult to observe, allegations of hidden supernatural influence can offer a dramatic narrative that appears to explain otherwise confusing events, even when no objective evidence exists.

Sorcery claims around the 2018 election

During the period surrounding the 2018 presidential election, allegations involving black magic entered national political debate. The administration of President Abdulla Yameen was criticised after individuals were reportedly arrested over accusations of using black magic in support of opposition political figures. Human Rights Watch cited these arrests as part of a broader pattern in which state institutions were being used against political opponents before the election, arguing that such actions contributed to an increasingly repressive political climate rather than providing evidence of genuine supernatural offences.[Human Rights Watch]hrw.orgHuman Rights WatchNo Need for Sorcery to Stifle Democracy in the Maldives | Human Rights WatchAugust 24, 2018…Published: August 24, 2018

What is notable is not that sorcery accusations existed, but how they became intertwined with electoral politics. Rather than remaining private religious or community matters, they entered public political discourse alongside disputes over elections, opposition activity and state power. The accusations therefore functioned as political narratives as much as claims about supernatural forces.

There is little reliable evidence that these allegations affected voting behaviour directly. Their significance lies instead in illustrating how supernatural explanations could become part of political conflict during periods of democratic tension.

The 2024 ministerial arrest and disputed reports

The most internationally reported example emerged in June 2024, when police arrested Environment State Minister Fathimath Shamnaz Ali together with two other individuals during an undisclosed criminal investigation. Multiple Maldivian and international news organisations reported widespread claims that the investigation concerned allegations of performing black magic against President Mohamed Muizzu.[thepress.mv]en.thepress.mvbyline.mv State Minister arrested amid allegations of black magic | The PressMinister arrested amid allegations of black magic | ThePressJune 26, 2024…Published: June 26, 2024

The crucial distinction is that police confirmed the arrests but did not publicly confirm that black magic formed the basis of the criminal investigation. Local reporting consistently described the sorcery allegation as something circulating in media and political circles rather than an officially stated charge. Some outlets explicitly noted that the police declined to verify the reported motive.[atolltimes.mv]atolltimes.mvPolice arrest State Minister over "black magic" allegations | Atoll TimesJune 26, 2024…Published: June 26, 2024

This difference became blurred in international coverage. Headlines often stated that a minister had been arrested “for black magic”, while the underlying articles frequently acknowledged that official confirmation was absent. As stories spread internationally, the distinction between an allegation reported by journalists and an established legal fact became less obvious.[straitstimes.com]straitstimes.comOpen source on straitstimes.com.

The case also attracted attention because the minister had previously worked closely with President Muizzu in the Malé City Council before joining his administration, making speculation about political relationships and rivalries especially intense.[EFE Noticias]efe.comNoticias Row Surrounding the Alleged Lack of Magic in the MaldivesEFE NoticiasRow Surrounding the Alleged Lack of Magic in the Maldives - EFE Noticias…

How headlines can turn allegations into apparent facts

The 2024 episode demonstrates how reporting on supernatural allegations can unintentionally create certainty where little exists.

Several patterns appeared repeatedly:

• Police confirmed arrests, but not necessarily the reported supernatural motive.
• Media attributed the black magic claim to unnamed sources or other news reports, rather than official charging documents.
• International coverage simplified complex reporting, often reducing uncertainty in headlines.
• Social media amplified the most dramatic interpretation, encouraging readers to treat allegations as established events rather than disputed claims.[thepress.mv]en.thepress.mvbyline.mv State Minister arrested amid allegations of black magic | The PressMinister arrested amid allegations of black magic | ThePressJune 26, 2024…Published: June 26, 2024

This is a common feature of political rumour. Once a striking explanation gains attention, later reporting often repeats it with fewer qualifications, even if the underlying evidence remains limited.

What these cases reveal about political belief

Neither the 2018 election-related accusations nor the 2024 ministerial investigation demonstrate that supernatural practices influenced political outcomes. Instead, they illustrate how belief in hidden forces can become part of political storytelling.

Several factors help explain why such allegations persist:

For historians and social scientists, these episodes are therefore valuable less as evidence for supernatural intervention than as examples of how societies use culturally meaningful explanations during moments of political uncertainty.

Why the allegations remain significant

Black magic allegations occupy an unusual place in contemporary Maldivian politics. They are neither simply remnants of folklore nor straightforward criminal cases. Instead, they reveal the interaction between traditional beliefs, religious ideas, modern media and political competition.

The most important lesson is methodological rather than supernatural. Readers should distinguish carefully between a documented arrest, an officially stated charge, a political rumour and a media interpretation. The 2024 case especially demonstrates how quickly those categories can merge in public discussion, creating an impression of certainty that exceeds the available evidence.[see.mv]see.mvSun English Edition State Minister Shamnaz arrested | Sun English EditionSun English Edition State Minister Shamnaz arrested | Sun English Edition

Amazon book picks

Further Reading

Books and field guides related to Why Black Magic Entered Maldivian Politics. Use these as the next step if you want deeper reading beyond the article.

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The Demon-Haunted World

By Carl Sagan

Examines how unsupported claims gain public influence.

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Magic, witchcraft, and religion

By Pamela Moro, James Myers et al.

First published 2006. Subjects: Religion, Occultism.

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The Maldives

By J.J. Robinson

First published 2016. Subjects: Democracy, Maldives, Politics and government, Social conditions, Islam.

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The Maldives: Islamic Republic, Tropical Autocracy

By J. J. Robinson

Places supernatural political allegations in contemporary political context.

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Endnotes

1. Source: efe.com
Title: Noticias Row Surrounding the Alleged Lack of Magic in the Maldives
Link:https://efe.com/en/latest-news/2024-06-26/maldives-police-arrests-minister-for-doing-black-magic-on-president-muizzu/

2. Source: atolltimes.mv
Title: Police arrest State Minister over “black magic” allegations | Atoll Times
Link:https://atolltimes.mv/post/news/8876

Published: June 26, 2024

3. Source: hrw.org
Link:https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/08/24/no-need-sorcery-stifle-democracy-maldives

Published: August 24, 2018

4. Source: en.thepress.mv
Title: byline.mv State Minister arrested amid allegations of black magic | The Press
Link:https://en.thepress.mv/16993

Published: June 26, 2024

5. Source: straitstimes.com
Link:https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/maldives-climate-minister-arrested-over-black-magic

6. Source: see.mv
Title: Sun English Edition State Minister Shamnaz arrested | Sun English Edition
Link:https://see.mv/90260

7. Source: malaymail.com
Title: Malay Mail Maldives climate minister arrested over ‘black magic’ | Malay Mail
Link:https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2024/06/27/maldives-climate-minister-arrested-over-black-magic/141789

8. Source: hrw.org
Title: Maldives: New President Should Embrace Rights Reforms | Human Rights Watch
Link:https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/01/11/maldives-new-president-should-embrace-rights-reforms

9. Source: hrw.org
Title: Maldives: Election Rigging Feared | Human Rights Watch
Link:https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/09/19/maldives-election-rigging-feared

10. Source: hrw.org
Title: crushing dissent maldives
Link:https://www.hrw.org/report/2018/08/16/all-out-assault-democracy/crushing-dissent-maldives

11. Source: maldivesindependent.com
Link:https://maldivesindependent.com/sorcery

Additional References

12. Source: theprint.in
Link:https://theprint.in/india/two-maldivian-ministers-who-disparaged-indias-modi-resign-ahead-of-pm-muizzus-delhi-trip/2262843/

Published: September 11, 2024

13. Source: youtube.com
Title: Maldives’ Climate Minister arrested for ‘black magic’ on President Muizzu
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gHMxanFHKY

14. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTotr2ZYEoU

15. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFNziizHB3k

16. Source: youtube.com
Title: Who is Maldives minister who performed ‘black magic’ on President Muizzu
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUVb4UkVqW0

17. Source: youtube.com
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bnUrn8UNWA

18. Source: hindustantimes.com
Link:https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/maldives-minister-arrested-for-performing-black-magic-on-president-muizzu-report-101719532900727.html

19. Source: indianexpress.com
Link:https://indianexpress.com/article/world/maldives-arrests-2-serving-ministers-alleged-black-magic-president-muizzu-9419181/

20. Source: scmp.com
Link:https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3268264/maldives-minister-arrested-performing-black-magic-president-muizzu

21. Source: hindustantimes.com
Link:https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/maldives-minister-arrested-for-performing-black-magic-on-president-muizzu-report-101719532900727-amp.html