Ismail Zareer Warns of Sovereignty Loss Over Ras Malé Land Deals

Ismail Zareer has raised concerns over business agreements to settle people through corporate principles, warning that the country faces a major future threat amid an extreme housing shortage. In a post on X, Zareer stated that decisions lacking long-term thinking and deep analysis, which only show short-term financial benefits, are driven by some Maldivians seeking personal gain, financial profit, or popularity abroad. He said: "The other Maldives that has been deliberately steered towards corrupting religion and culture is not the Maldives protected by our ancestors. Nor is it the Maldives entitled to our coming generations." Zareer warned that once a nation's sovereignty is lost, regaining it is rare, and urged Maldivians supporting such projects to reconsider based on real evidence. He stressed that personal desire and financial benefit are fleeting, while the country will remain, and called for national unity. The post also highlighted the need for citizens to raise their voices against such projects, noting that patience and steadfastness on the right path of Islam will bring victory and success. The commercial terms for selling 500 hectares of Ras Malé, reclaimed from Fushidhigufalhu using state funds, were signed on September 21. The government has not disclosed the cancellation of the signing of the permanent agreement, and rumors suggest it will be signed this November.