Dr. Iyaz urges against paving the way for the settlement of non-Muslims
12 ނޮވެމްބަރު 2026 | ބުރާސްފަތި 07:25Dr. Iyaz has appealed to the President to halt the Ras Male' project, warning that allowing foreign nationals to establish residency in the Maldives poses a significant threat to the nation’s religious and national identity. Despite mounting concerns from religious scholars and the public regarding the project's implications, President Muizzu has rejected calls to hold a public referendum on the matter.
Renowned religious scholar Dr. Mohamed Iyaz Abdul Latheef delivers a sermon—File Photo | Facebook
Renowned religious scholar Dr. Mohamed Iyaz Abdul Latheef has appealed to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to refrain from opening any avenues for followers of other faiths to settle in the Maldives, warning that such a move would be extremely dangerous for a hundred percent Muslim nation.
Dr. Iyaz made this appeal in a post on X on Thursday.
In the post, Dr. Iyaz stated that allowing followers of other faiths to establish residency in a 100 percent Muslim nation like the Maldives is an extremely dangerous prospect. Tagging President Muizzu in his post, he appealed to the President and urged him to refrain from facilitating such an arrangement.
Dr. Iyaz is a prominent figure who consistently speaks out with courage on vital national and religious issues. He remains a vocal critic of Zionist policies and a steadfast advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people.
In addition to Dr. Iyaz, several other prominent Maldivian religious scholars and the Adhaalath Party have voiced their opposition to the Ras Male' project.
Despite widespread public concern regarding the permanent 99-year lease of a vast area under the Ras Male' project, President Muizzu has rejected calls to hold a public referendum on the matter. Meanwhile, critics continue to allege that the project is a move toward establishing a "state within a state" in the Maldives.
