Salaf supports Ras Male' project after setting eight conditions for the implementation of foreign-funded projects
29 އޮކްޓޯބަރު 2026 | ބުރާސްފަތި 08:15After consulting with government agencies regarding the Ras Male' project, Jamiyyath Salaf has urged the administration to fulfill eight specific conditions, including the protection of national sovereignty and Islamic identity. The organization further called for full transparency in the project's agreements and demanded guarantees that Israeli citizens will be prohibited from participating in or benefiting from the development.
Religious scholars affiliated with Jamiyyath Salaf. | Jameeathul salaf
Jamiyyath Salaf, a prominent local NGO dedicated to Islamic advocacy, has expressed its support for the Ras Male' project, following the establishment of eight specific conditions for the implementation of foreign-funded development projects.
In a statement released on Thursday, the organization outlined eight key requirements that must be ensured when establishing the legal frameworks and agreements for the Ras Male' project and similar foreign-funded initiatives.
Salaf’s appeal to the government comes a month after the organization announced on September 28 that it was conducting a study into the Ras Male' project. This move follows growing public concern regarding the government's ambitious development initiative.
In a formal appeal submitted to the government, Jamiyyath Salaf stated that information gathered through meetings with relevant state institutions and other sources reveals that the Ras Male' project involves a long-term lease agreement. According to the organization, the plan entails granting 500 hectares of land in Ras Male' to the UAE-based company, Eagle Hills, for a period of 99 years to be developed and invested in under a real estate model, while maintaining Maldivian state ownership of the land.
The eight key points highlighted by Salaf include safeguarding Islamic identity and national sovereignty, protecting state sovereignty and strategic independence, and conducting research into demographic shifts and potential security threats. Furthermore, the organization emphasized prioritizing economic development that yields maximum benefits for Maldivian citizens, establishing transparent and accountable policies, and maintaining a balance between an open economy and national principles. The recommendations also call for the implementation of a permanent monitoring system and the assessment of social impacts.
In an appeal to the government, the organization called for the protection of the nation’s Islamic identity and national sovereignty in all investments conducted in the Maldives. It further urged the government to ensure that no opportunities within such projects are granted to citizens of Israel—a state established under Zionist occupation through the seizure of sacred Palestinian lands. Salaf also called on the government to maintain transparency by disclosing agreements and consulting the public. They emphasized the need for rigorous monitoring to ensure full compliance with Islamic and social standards, urging that project agreements and legal frameworks be designed to prioritize and safeguard the national interest.
Furthermore, Salaf stated that the true vision of the Ras Male' project will only be realized once the project agreement is finalized and the relevant legislation is enacted.
The Salaf organization has called on the government to ensure that all conditions and regulatory requirements are strictly adhered to when proceeding with foreign-funded initiatives, such as the Ras Male' project.
