President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has firmly assured that the USD 20 billion Eagle Hills development in Ras Malé will remain fully under Maldivian law, with no permission for the public practice or promotion of other religions, foreign religious institutions or special citizenship privileges.
Speaking on The Pulse programme, President Muizzu dismissed allegations that the massive development project would create a foreign settlement near Greater Malé, describing such claims as baseless political rhetoric intended to mislead the public.
The President stressed that the Maldives Waterfront and Marina project would operate strictly within the country’s existing legal framework, safeguarding national sovereignty, Islamic identity and domestic security.
He explained that the Maldives already accommodates a substantial foreign population through tourism and employment without permitting public religious activities of other faiths.
According to the President, approximately 200,000 tourists are present in the Maldives at any given time, while between 100,000 and 200,000 foreign workers reside in the Greater Malé region.
He pointed out that tourist resorts do not have places of worship for other religions, while mosques are available. The same principle, he said, would apply to Ras Malé.
President Muizzu also rejected allegations that the Eagle Hills project would introduce foreign schools, non-Islamic religious structures or permanent foreign settlements.
He clarified that foreign property buyers and tourists would be subject to existing immigration and residency regulations, rather than receiving special settlement privileges through the project.
The President further confirmed that a Maldivian police station would be established within the development to ensure security and enforce national laws.
He categorically ruled out granting Maldivian citizenship to any foreign national through the Ras Malé project.
To strengthen oversight, the government will introduce a comprehensive legal framework governing the development and its operations.
The Maldives Waterfront and Marina project, being developed by Eagle Hills, represents an estimated USD 20 billion investment covering approximately 500 hectares of the wider Ras Malé development area.
The President’s assurances come amid political debate surrounding the project, which the government has presented as a major initiative to attract foreign investment, expand tourism and generate economic opportunities while maintaining Maldivian sovereignty and national identity.
