Jammiyyathussalaf Calls on Government to Safeguard Islamic Identity and Sovereignty in Rasmalé Project

The Jammiyyathussalaf has appealed to the government to pay attention to key factors necessary to ensure the implementation of the Rasmalé project and other similar large-scale projects abroad. In an appeal issued today, the association outlined several matters requiring attention in establishing the legal framework and agreements related to such projects. The appeal comes amid public concerns regarding the Rasmalé project, which was announced by the government. It was issued one month after the association announced on September 28 last year that it was conducting research on the project. According to the written appeal, information obtained from meetings with relevant government institutions and other sources indicates that the project plans to sell 500 hectares of land in Rasmalé to the UAE-based company Eagle Hills for a period of 99 years on a real estate development basis, while maintaining ownership by the Maldivian state. The Jammiyyathussalaf highlighted several factors to ensure the project's implementation, including protecting Islamic identity and national sovereignty, safeguarding state policy and strategic independence, and studying changes to the population structure and security risks. The association also called for targeting economic development that benefits Maldivians the most, establishing a transparent policy, ensuring a balance between an open economy and national foundations, setting up a permanent monitoring system, and assessing social impacts. Emphasizing the importance of preserving the country's Islamic character and sovereignty in foreign investments, the association stated that no citizen of Israel, which it described as established under Zionist colonization by taking over the sacred lands of Palestine, should be given opportunities through such projects. They also called for the project's agreements to be transparent and for public consultation to proceed. Additionally, the Jammiyyathussalaf appealed to the government to monitor compliance with Islamic and social standards and to design agreements and legal frameworks that best protect national interests. The association noted that the true vision of the Rasmalé project will only become clear when the project agreement is drafted and the relevant law exists.