President: No Jewish settlement in Rasmale, no room for other religions

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has dismissed as baseless and politically motivated rumours that Jewish communities would be allowed to settle in Rasmale under a development project linked to UAE-based Eagle Hills, insisting that followers of no other religion will be allowed to practise their faith there. Speaking on PSM's "The Pulses" programme, the President said false stories were being spread to distort facts and instil fear in the public. He said no foreigner would be granted Maldivian citizenship through the Rasmale project, and that a robust legal framework was being put in place to govern everything carried out under it. "I will not give an opportunity for the practices of any religion other than Islam in Rasmale," the President said. He added that no place in the Maldives would permit the practice of any faith other than Islam, and no one would be able to change that. The President also spoke about the vision for Rasmale's development, noting that unlike the experience in Hulhumale where large investments did not arrive before people moved in, Rasmale is being developed so that necessary infrastructure and major investments will be in place when residents begin occupying land and flats. The Maldives Waterfront and Marina project, developed on 500 hectares of Rasmale's nearly 1,000 hectares, is a $20 billion investment.