Sheikh Adam Nishan has warned that the government's decision to hand over Rasmalé to the UAE-based Eagle Hills company indefinitely involves deeply concerning and alarming risks.
In a Facebook post, Nishan stated that the transfer of 500 hectares of Rasmalé to Eagle Hills is "extremely concerning and fraught with danger."
"Research into the lease of 500 hectares of reclaimed land from Rasmalé to UAE billionaire Mohamed Alabbar’s Eagle Hills for 99 years has revealed issues of extreme concern and danger," Nishan said.
Nishan emphasised that the decision regarding Rasmalé must be considered beyond political affiliations. He argued that the outcome of the deal is tied to the survival or loss of "Islam and the nation's independence."
"This is a matter far more dangerous than something we should decide based on being politically for or against it. This is because the outcome is linked to the preservation or loss of the Islamic faith we have maintained for 900 years, as well as the independence and sovereignty of this country," he stated.
Furthermore, Nishan shared several key concerns regarding the handover of Rasmalé in his post. These include the fear of Maldivians becoming second-class citizens, the risk of Maldivian lands falling into the hands of non-believers, the alleged close ties between Eagle Hills and Zionist interests, and the potential for widespread vice.
"As Muslims, it is our duty to protect our religion and our land. We cannot sacrifice Islam and Muslim lands in the name of development and civilisation," Nishan said.
The government handed over Rasmalé without charging a land acquisition fee or land rent. The government's only revenue from the project will be a 10 percent fee when the developer first sells a property, along with a four percent fee paid by the buyer. A four percent fee will also be collected every time ownership of a property is transferred.
Although the government stated that Rasmalé was leased for 99 years, the framework of the agreement suggests the land will be lost permanently. Under the terms, whenever a property owner in Rasmalé sells their unit, a new 99-year lease period begins. Even if the property is gifted, a fresh 99-year lease term commences.
The reclamation of Rasmalé began with the assurance that it was a project dedicated to providing housing for Maldivians. President Mohamed Muizzu himself had previously pledged that Rasmalé would not be leased to any foreign party.
"Every grain of sand reclaimed there [Rasmalé] is a grain of sand owned by the Maldivian people. Not a single piece of land will be leased to any foreign party for even a single day, nor will it be given away for free," Muizzu had stated.
