Compared to the other areas of South Asia, the conversion of the Maldives to Islam happened relatively late. The Maldives remained a Buddhist kingdom for another 500 years. Arabic became the prime language of administration (instead of Persian and Urdu), and the Maliki school of jurisprudence was introduced, both hinting at direct contact with the core of the Arab world.
Compared to the other areas of South Asia the conversion of the Maldives to Islam happened relatively late The Maldives remained a Buddhist kingdom for another 500 years Arabic became the prime language of administration (instead of Persian and Urdu) and the Maliki school of jurisprudence was introduced both hinting at direct contact with the core of the Arab world