Maldives Minister Assures No Christmas Celebrations at Rasmalé Under Agreement with UAE Developer

Construction and Infrastructure Minister Abdullah Muthalib has stated that although Rasmalé is being sold to Mohammed Alabbar of the UAE, who has close ties with Jews, Christmas will not be celebrated at the site, and this matter will be explicitly stated in the agreement. An audio recording of a meeting held in late September with some religious scholars who expressed concern over the signing of the initial agreement for the sale of Rasmalé on September 21 has been leaked. Reliable sources have confirmed the authenticity of the leaked audios. In the meeting held with religious scholars, Muthalib said that it is not permissible to celebrate the symbols of other religions contrary to the laws of the country and Islamic principles. He also noted that a special clause would be included directly in the agreement with the developer to stop such things. "We cannot do this here. We can explicitly state in the Master Developer Agreement that no events of other religions should be celebrated here. That is something that cannot be done," Muthalib said. Furthermore, the minister stated that it must be clarified legally that celebrations of other religions cannot be held according to the law, and arrangements must be made legally to ensure that no such thing is allowed in the future. President Mohamed Muizzu has stated that if Rasmalé is sold to Mohammed Alabbar of the UAE, who has close ties with Jews, no rallies will be held there and the fasting month will not be observed there. While Muizzu stated that only Muslims will come to that place, Muthalib's remarks indicate that people of other religions will also come to Rasmalé. The commercial terms for selling 500 hectares of Rasmalé, which is being reclaimed from Fushi Dhigu Garafaru using state funds, were signed on September 21. The government made a deal to sell Rasmalé after President Mohamed Muizzu promised that no sand from the site, even for a single day, would be rented or given away to any foreign party.