Arab interest in Maldives was also reflected in Ibn Battutah's residence there in the 1340s.. A well-known North African traveler, he wrote how a Moroccan, Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari, was believed to have been responsible for spreading Islam in the islands, reportedly convincing the local king after having subdued Ranna Maari, a demon coming from the sea.Ibn Battuta, Travels in Asia and Africa 1325–1354, tr. and ed. H. A. R. Gibb (London: Broadway House, 1929) Even though this report has been contested in later sources, some find that it does explain some crucial aspects of Maldivian culture. For instance, Arabic has historically been the prime language of administration in the Maldives rather than the Persian and Urdu languages used in the nearby Muslim states. Another link to North Africa is possibly the Maliki school of jurisprudence, used throughout most of North Africa, which was the official one of the Maldives until the 17th century.
Arab interest in Maldives was also reflected in Ibn Battutah's residence there in the 1340s A well-known North African traveler he wrote how a Moroccan Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari was believed to have been responsible for spreading Islam in the islands reportedly convincing the local king after having subdued Ranna Maari a demon coming from the seaIbn Battuta Travels in Asia and Africa 1325–1354 tr and ed H A R Gibb (London Broadway House 1929) Even though this report has been contested in later sources some find that it does explain some crucial aspects of Maldivian culture For instance Arabic has historically been the prime language of administration in the Maldives rather than the Persian and Urdu languages used in the nearby Muslim states Another link to North Africa is possibly the Maliki school of jurisprudence used throughout most of North Africa which was the official one of the Maldives until the 17th century