Islamic Minister Shaheem Shares Scholars' Concerns Over Rasmale Project With Their Association

Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has shared with the Association of Scholars the concerns raised among religious scholars over the "Maldives Waterfront and Marina" project being developed in Rasmale. The scholars' association had said in a post on X that there are major concerns among religious scholars regarding the project being carried out in Rasmale. Shaheem met with the association and, according to a post by the association, shared the concerns over the dangerous effects the project could have on the Maldives' Islamic unity, sovereignty, independence, economic self-sufficiency and culture due to foreigners settling in the country. The association's post stated that the scholars' concerns were based on a large amount of information compiled so far by the relevant government authorities. It also stated that Shaheem would be asked to share those concerns with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Besides Shaheem, the Association of Scholars has also met with Housing Minister Dr. Abdullah Muthalib, Bandar Naib Ahmed Usham and Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed. On the project, Usham has previously said that the Rasmale project would proceed under a newly formulated real estate law, and that practical work would begin only after Parliament passes that law and after further consultations and the signing of final agreements. One of the most important parts of the project is the 5,000 housing units being developed in Hulhumale'. Mohamed Alabbar estimates that this component will cost approximately 500 million US dollars. He said the first investment for the housing project would be arranged by Eagle Hills, and that the money would be recovered as the large Rasmale project progresses. Eagle Hills estimates that the Rasmale project will bring major advances to the Maldivian economy. In an interview given to 'Sun', the company's owner, Mohamed Alabbar, estimated that once the project is completed, an additional one million tourists would visit the Maldives. He also said 40,000 jobs would be created during the construction phase, and that between 15,000 and 18,000 jobs would be created permanently once the project is fully completed. The large project, estimated to be a 20 billion US dollar investment, includes hotels and resorts, high-end residences, a marina and waterfront promenades, as well as health and education services. Notably, the Supreme Court has decided not to accept the constitutional case filed seeking to halt the decision to give 500 hectares of land in Rasmale to UAE-based Eagle Hills, on the grounds that the decision is unconstitutional. Concerns that Israelis could buy property in the area through this project have been publicly raised by some of the Maldives' political parties and activists. Both the Maldivian government and Eagle Hills have said that no such danger arises from the agreement.