Adhaalath Party Urges Government to Halt Foreign Settlement Projects Amid Ras Malé Concerns

The Adhaalath Party has appealed to the government to abandon projects that create designated areas for foreigners to reside long-term, as concerns mount over the planned handover of 500 hectares in Ras Malé to Mohammed Al Bar. In a statement released tonight, the party did not name the specific project but warned that such developments would threaten the country's religious unity, culture, and security. The party advocated instead for holiday homes and short-term vacation rentals for foreigners, arguing this would minimize damage to the nation's social fabric. The government signed commercial terms for selling the 500-hectare Ras Malé project—reclaimed from Fushi Dhiyagaru Falhu using state funds—on September 21 and is now finalizing a permanent agreement. A new real estate bill includes provisions allowing perpetual leases via a "Surrender and Re-grant" model, bypassing the constitutional 99-year maximum land lease for foreigners. Under Article 89, foreign buyers receive a fresh 99-year lease upon purchase, and leases remain valid even after the master developer's term expires. Foreigners who buy properties can also resell them or use them as mortgage collateral, effectively enabling perpetual ownership. The Adhaalath Party's statement urged changes to policies guiding international real estate projects, insisting they should not facilitate long-term foreign residency.