President dismisses claims of Jewish settlement in Rasmale', says rumors are crafted to instill fear

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has dismissed claims that the UAE-owned Eagle Hills project in Rasmale' could pave the way for Jewish settlement or the establishment of other religions, describing such rumors as deliberate political fear-mongering. 

Speaking on state media PSM’s The Pulse, the President said a slew of fabricated narratives were being circulated about the project, including baseless allegations that foreigners would settle permanently near Male' or construct religious facilities in the area.

He stressed that Maldivian law will apply fully to the zones developed under the Eagle Hills partnership and that a robust legal framework will govern all activities carried out in Rasmale'. “The talk of Jewish settlements being close to Maldives and the threat to Maldives is being made by a person who distorts the truth for political purposes. We will not allow foreigners to practice other religions in Rasmale',” he said.

The President reiterated that these rumors were not made in good faith and were crafted to instill fear in the public. He added that no religion other than Islam will be permitted anywhere in the Maldives, and that no individual or group will be able to alter that constitutional reality.

Reflecting on past development models, the President said Hulhumale' had been dredged without proper planning, and major investments only arrived after residents began living there. In contrast, he said the Rasmale' project is being executed with the explicit aim of securing large-scale development and investment from the outset, ensuring that land and flats allocated to citizens are supported by immediate economic activity.

The Maldives Waterfront and Marina Project, a USD 20 billion investment spanning 500 hectares, marks one of the largest foreign-investment ventures in the nation’s history. The President’s remarks follow earlier clarifications in the same interview, where he underscored that properties developed under the project will be issued on 99-year leases and can only be resold to the Maldivian government, ensuring full state control over ownership transfers.