President Muizzu says Israelis will be barred from acquiring property in Ras Malé project

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said Israeli nationals will not be permitted to purchase property or acquire investment rights under the Maldives Waterfront and Marina development planned for Ras Malé.

Speaking on The Pulse, a programme produced by the President's Office, Muizzu responded to concerns that the project, being developed by UAE-based Eagle Hills, could allow foreign nationals to establish settlements on reclaimed land near Malé and undermine Maldivian sovereignty.

The President rejected claims that the development would facilitate Israeli settlement, describing the allegations as politically motivated.

He said Ras Malé would remain under the control of the Maldivian government and that the country's laws and Constitution would apply throughout the development.

According to Muizzu, most of the interest in acquiring property within the project has come from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and other Middle Eastern nations.

"No Israeli will be given any opportunity there. The law will prohibit them from purchasing or acquiring any investment," he said.

The President added that, based on those who had expressed interest in investing in the project, property owners would predominantly be Arab Muslims.

Addressing questions about property ownership, Muizzu said foreign investors would be able to acquire property rights for 99 years, but those rights would not be automatically renewed upon expiry.

He said properties would have to be transferred back to the government at the end of the agreed period, after which the state would determine whether to make them available to other parties.

"This is not something that will be automatically renewed for another 99 years. Ownership cannot be transferred to another party without the government's knowledge," Muizzu said.

He compared the proposed arrangements with existing resort leases in the Maldives, some of which extend for 99 years.

According to the President, the government would have the authority to take back such properties when their lease periods expire.

Muizzu also responded to concerns that the presence of foreign investors and residents could affect the Maldives' Islamic identity.

He said the development would remain within Maldivian territory and would be governed by the country's Constitution, including its provisions concerning Islam.

The President maintained that activities associated with other religions would not be permitted within the project.

"There is no time when there are not around 200,000 tourists in the Maldives. But even at the resorts, there are no buildings for them to practise their religions. There are mosques. There will also be mosques in Ras Malé," he said.

He added that individuals acquiring property in the development, as well as tourists, would use the facilities during their visits, but the project would not permit religious activities contrary to Maldivian law.

The President also disclosed that the approximately 500-hectare development would not include a school, while services from the Maldives Police Service would be available within the area.

He rejected claims that Ras Malé would effectively become territory outside the Maldives or operate beyond the government's authority.

"These are claims made by some people for political gain, attempting to make Maldivians believe that this will be a place outside the Maldives," Muizzu said.

He also dismissed suggestions that the development would have no mosques and would instead accommodate churches, saying such claims were intended to create fear among the public.

The President urged Maldivians to examine the project and its proposed arrangements before accepting claims made about its implications.

"I therefore ask the public to keep their eyes open and think carefully about this matter," he said.

The Maldives Waterfront and Marina project has faced criticism over its proposed property arrangements, foreign investment provisions and potential implications for national sovereignty.

Muizzu's remarks come amid continuing public debate over the development and the rights that would be granted to foreign investors under the project.