Ali Hussain: Land in Ras Male' must not be granted to followers of other religions without public consultation, as 58,000 families await land

Legal expert and former Member of Parliament for the Kendhoo constituency, Ali Hussain, has stated that land in Ras Male' cannot be handed over to foreign entities or non-Muslims without consulting the public, especially while 58,000 families are currently waiting for land and housing plots from the same area.

Speaking at an emergency rally titled "Dhivehinge Bin Dhivehinnah" on Tuesday night, Ali Hussain stated that a national referendum must be held regarding the Ras Male' project. He further emphasized that a public vote is necessary because the issue directly impacts the interests and future of the citizens.

Ali Hussain stated that 58,000 individuals have applied for housing plots from that land. He emphasized that with so many families seeking these plots, the public will not allow the land to be handed over to foreign entities without prior consultation.

Furthermore, Ali Hussain stated that a referendum is necessary because this is an unprecedented move that no previous administration in the Maldives has ever undertaken.

What is being attempted here is something unprecedented in the Maldives. We are hearing reports of plans to bring in and settle foreigners—specifically Zionists—within our borders. This is something no previous administration in the Maldives has ever done. It is a globally recognized reality that once a certain population threshold of a specific group is reached in any country, they gain the right to establish their own places of worship. We would not be in a position to prevent the construction of such places of worship if 50,000 or 100,000 foreigners, specifically Zionists, were to be settled here.

Ali Hussain

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that a referendum will not be held to gauge public opinion on the Ras Male' project, despite growing public concern regarding the decision to award the area to Eagle Hills.

During a press conference held on Monday, the President explained that a referendum would not be necessary, noting that the real estate bill currently proposed by the government addresses the public's concerns in extensive detail. The President further stated that the project does not warrant a referendum and confirmed that no such vote will take place.

Opposition groups and members of the public are expressing strong criticism across social media and various other platforms following the decision to award a significant portion of the Ras Male' project to a foreign company. Many have characterized the provision allowing foreign ownership of land under this project as a potential threat to national security. However, the government maintains that the project will bring substantial growth to the Maldivian economy.