Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohamed Ibrahim, President of Jamiyyathul Salaf, has claimed that the government’s plan to lease Rasmalé to Mohamed Alabbar—a UAE businessman known for close ties with Israel and Zionists—for 99 years or indefinitely is an "economic concept" and not a project designed to settle people of other faiths.
Speaking in a leaked audio clip circulating on social media, Sheikh Abdullah addressed the Rasmalé concept in a manner suggesting it is purely economic and unrelated to Islamic religious concerns. In the recording, he claims that the reality of the project has been misrepresented by certain individuals for political gain.
"A key point to consider is that some people are speaking with malicious political intent by distorting the vision of the entire concept. The reality is that this is an economic concept; it is not a place specifically opened to bring in people of other religions," said Abdullah, who is the brother of First Lady Sajida Mohamed.
The audio was shared on TikTok, where it was identified as an interview with Abdullah. While Adhadhu reached out to Sheikh Abdullah to verify the clip's authenticity, he did not respond. However, Adhadhu has confirmed through messages sent to various groups that Abdullah acknowledged the voice in the recording as his own.
In the audio, Abdullah stated that Rasmalé would be inhabited by "people of a certain calibre" who can afford to live there. He noted that while the project proceeds under this concept, "dangerous issues" could arise in the future. He added that the statement released by Salaf regarding the matter outlines the legal safeguards necessary to prevent such outcomes.
"Whether they are foreigners or Maldivians, it is a place open to those who can afford it. Therefore, regarding the potential dangers that could arise in such a place later on, we have proposed certain items to be included in the legal framework," he said.
Abdullah further clarified in the audio that Jamiyyathul Salaf has never supported the idea of people of other faiths settling in Rasmalé. He maintained that Salaf’s appeal was focused on establishing laws to address the possibility of non-Muslims "becoming residents."
"We have in no way supported the subject of settling people of other religions in the Rasmalé project. On the contrary, because people of other faiths might come and settle there, we have appealed for the necessary measures and legislation to be put in place," he said.
Despite these remarks, the formal statement previously issued by Salaf described the Rasmalé project as one where "a large number of foreigners belonging to different religions and cultures will reside for long periods." After characterising the project this way, Salaf advised on how the agreements and legal framework should be structured.
"...Therefore, we sincerely appeal to the current and future governments to formulate agreements and a legal framework under robust principles, ensuring that such special zones—where large numbers of foreigners of different faiths and cultures will stay long-term—do not pave the way for advocacy of religious freedom in the future. This must be done so that no negative impact reaches the Islamic identity of Maldivian society, the nation's sovereignty and independence, the long-standing Islamic national principles, or the constitutional system that guarantees the Maldives remains a 100 percent Islamic state."
While the government maintains that Rasmalé is being leased for 99 years, Alabbar’s company, Eagle Hills, has stated that if the property is sold before the initial 99-year lease expires, a new 99-year lease term would commence.
The commercial terms to sell 500 hectares of Rasmalé—which is being reclaimed at Fushidhiggaru lagoon using state funds—to Eagle Hills were signed on September 21. Efforts are underway to sign the definitive agreement on November 11, which marks the Maldives' Republic Day.
The government’s deal to sell Rasmalé comes despite a previous pledge by President Mohamed Muizzu that not a single grain of sand from the site would be leased or given to foreigners, even for a single day.
"Every grain of sand reclaimed there [Ras Malé] is a grain of sand owned by the Maldivian citizens. It is not land that will be leased to any foreign party for even a single day, nor will it be given for free," Muizzu had previously stated.
