What each political party, leader, religious scholar and civil-society group has said about the Eagle Hills deal for Ras Malé, with dates and sources. This page records positions. It does not rate them, and it does not take one.
Where everyone stands today
Each name sits in the column for its latest recorded position, from backing the deal on the left to wanting it cancelled on the right. Select a name to read its record.
All labels share one colour on purpose. A shape, not a colour, tells the positions apart.
How this record is kept
Their words, dated
Each position is paraphrased from what the person or group said, with the date and a link to the report.
Same format for all
Government, opposition, scholars and NGOs get the same fields. Within each group, whoever took a public position first is listed first.
Changes are added
When a position changes, a new dated line is added. Earlier lines stay.
Silence is shown
Every registered party is listed, including those with no public position found.
Actions count
Votes, resolutions, court cases and complaints are recorded alongside speeches.
Right of reply
Anyone listed can send a correction or a fuller statement. It will be added, dated.
Included: the seven parties on the Elections Commission register as of June 2026, after The Democrats and the MLSDP were dissolved; leaders and office-holders who have spoken publicly; religious scholars and religious groups; civil-society organisations and campaigns. Not included: anonymous accounts, and individual analysts and commentators, whose arguments appear on the Explainers page. Coverage so far is mainly English-language reporting; Dhivehi sources are being added.
No entries match. Choose “Everyone” and “Any position”, or clear the search.
Political parties
Positions taken by the party itself, through its councils, statements or parliamentary group. Leaders’ own views are listed separately.
Ruling party
People’s National Congress (PNC)
Backs the project
Its government signed the commercial terms and presents Ras Malé as investment that funds housing without cost to the state. Majority Leader Ibrahim Falah calls it the most transparent project the country has announced.
Actions
Holds a supermajority in parliament. Rejected an MDP resolution on residency sales (August 2026) and a no-confidence motion against the Economic Minister, 54 to 10 (4 November).
Government signs commercial terms with Eagle Hills.
Falah defends the deal in the Majlis debate on the MDP disclosure resolution.
Majority rejects no-confidence motion against the Economic Minister.
Opposition party, led by former President Abdulla Yameen
People’s National Front (PNF)
Wants it cancelled
The first party to oppose the deal, within days of the signing. Its leader says the agreement is unlawful, a future government would not be bound by it, and it should be cancelled. Coverage describes Yameen and the PNF as the source of the strongest criticism the government faces on the project. See Yameen’s entry.
Actions
Party meetings, rallies and town halls against the deal (24 Sep, 27 Sep, 22 Oct). PNF members took part in launching the “Maldivian land for Maldivians” campaign (19 Oct).
Yameen tells a PNF meeting the agreement is unlawful and need not be honoured.
PNF members join the campaign launch.
Former Vice President Jameel addresses Alabbar on X: the government’s accommodation is not the people’s consent.
The national council voted on 1 November, 57 of 58 members present, for a referendum on whether the project should go to Eagle Hills, and for street action if the government gives no answer by 15 November. The party says it would accept the result. Its leadership is not opposed to investor residency in principle; its objections are to the terms and the secrecy.
Asks for
Publish the commercial terms. Hold a referendum. Create no rights over the land for Eagle Hills or anyone else until the vote.
Actions
Disclosure resolution in the Majlis (October). Referendum resolution submitted (2 November). Joined the “Maldivian land for Maldivians” rally, now set for 13 November.
The party chairperson, Mohamed Nasheed, spoke against the council resolution. See his entry.
MP Meekail Naseem moves an emergency motion, then a resolution, to require the agreement to be disclosed.
National council passes the referendum and direct-action resolution.
Said in late September it was reviewing the deal, the township programme and the residency scheme, and would propose solutions to the government if it found concerns. Party president Mohamed Shifan and senior leaders met Minister Muththalib in early October. No final position found.
Former party president Sheikh Imran Abdulla leads the campaign against the deal. That is his own position. See his entry.
Announces a review of the deal.
Leadership meets the Infrastructure Minister for information.
No statement on the Eagle Hills deal found in reporting up to 7 November 2026. Dhivehi-language sources still to be checked. Its leader has also not spoken; see Gasim Ibrahim.
Party led by Ahmed Siyam Mohamed
Maldives Development Alliance (MDA)
No public position found
No statement on the Eagle Hills deal found in reporting up to 7 November 2026. Dhivehi-language sources still to be checked.
Party led by Mohamed Nazim
Maldives National Party (MNP)
No public position found
No statement on the Eagle Hills deal found in reporting up to 7 November 2026. Dhivehi-language sources still to be checked.
Former presidents
Listed in the order they first took a public position. Five former presidents are living; three have spoken.
The first and most sustained opposition: Abdulla Yameen
Former President Yameen called for the deal to be stopped within days of the 21 September signing, before any other former president, party leader or campaign. He has kept it up since, at rallies, town halls and on X, and press coverage describes him and his party as the source of the strongest criticism the government faces on Ras Malé. He wants the agreement cancelled and says a future government would not be bound by it. Read his record.
Former President (2013–2018), PNF leader
Abdulla Yameen
Wants it cancelled
Says the agreement is unlawful, that a future government will have no obligation to honour it, and that the government is selling Maldivians’ future. Has called on Eagle Hills to scrap the project, promised to halt it once President Muizzu leaves office, to hold those involved accountable, and to put such decisions to a referendum. Questions how a privately financed project of this size would be funded over about 15 years.
Asks for
Cancellation. A referendum on such decisions. A constitutional amendment, not administrative rules, to keep Israeli nationals out of 99-year leases.
Also said
That the President knew of the deal when he denied, two weeks before the signing, that any part of Ras Malé would go to a foreign party. That the project would create a Jewish settlement; he gave no evidence, the Home Minister accused him of stirring religious division, and the Ilmuveringe Gulhun scholars’ report found such claims unsupported.
Responses
Speaker and PNC chairperson Abdul Raheem Abdulla says the project will go ahead, and asked how Yameen’s stance differs from the MDP’s opposition to a Faafu atoll project under Yameen’s government.
Related record
His government amended the constitution in 2015 to allow foreign freehold in reclamation projects over US$1 billion (repealed unanimously in 2019), and extended resort leases to 99 years.
Calls for the project to be halted and housing built in Hulhumalé instead; the Infrastructure Minister responds.
PNF meeting: the agreement is unlawful and need not be honoured.
Rally: will halt the deal after Muizzu, hold those involved accountable, hold a referendum.
On X, calls on Eagle Hills to scrap the project.
Calls for a constitutional amendment to bar Israelis from the leases.
Town hall: vows to obstruct the project; says other investors will not be affected.
Now says he fully supports the project, and spoke against the MDP council’s referendum resolution on 1 November. Called claims that Ras Malé would become a Zionist settlement unsubstantiated, and wrote that the MDP seemed increasingly willing to use xenophobic rhetoric. Supports investor residency in principle.
Related record
Sits on the advisory committee of a foundation set up by the chairman of Henley & Partners, which designs the separate Pearl Residence visa; received its award in 2024. Henley says he played no role in its work with the government.
Calls for a competitive tender and for the terms to be made public; also reported calling for a halt to major projects, citing the economy.
Questions placing the project in the Malé region; calls for the agreement to be published.
Warns the MDP council that attacking Alabbar could harm UAE investment; urges members not to oppose the project.
Says he fully supports the project; opposes the council resolution.
First raised concerns that the terms and details of the agreement had not been published. In late October called for the project to be halted, saying it brings too little benefit and that a fair commercial deal, whether a sale or a lease, must benefit both sides.
Related record
His government leased the Dhigufaru lagoon, now Project Ayla, through an unsolicited proposal in 2022. See Other projects.
Raises concern that the agreement’s terms are not public.
The longest-serving former president has made no public statement on the Eagle Hills deal found in reporting up to 7 November 2026. Dhivehi-language sources still to be checked.
Former President (2012–2013)
Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan
No public position found
Served as President Muizzu’s Special Envoy from May 2025 to February 2026. No public statement on the Eagle Hills deal found in reporting up to 7 November 2026. Dhivehi-language sources still to be checked.
Calls Ras Malé his answer to the housing crisis and says Eagle Hills will drive development of the rest of the island. Calls claims of foreign ownership and religious compromise baseless. Has promised no alcohol, pork or casinos, a 25% cap per nationality, a bar on Israeli citizens, and the full agreement sent to a Majlis committee.
Target
Wants the definitive agreement signed before 17 November, according to Adhadhu.
Statements that differ
Earlier filmed promising no foreigner would get Ras Malé land, even for rent. On 20 October said leases would not renew automatically; a week later reportedly told PNC MPs a new 99-year lease starts on each sale.
“The Pulse”: state keeps control, no automatic renewal, Israelis barred.
Reportedly tells PNC MPs leases restart on each sale.
Nation Chat: no alcohol, pork or casinos; agreement to Majlis committee.
Signed the commercial terms with Alabbar in Dubai. Argues the revenue share and transfer fees bring about US$4.3 billion, against a best-case land value of about US$2.9 billion before roads and utilities. Says the deal was negotiated directly with Alabbar to keep out middlemen.
Statements that differ
Had assured that no one could renew a lease or hold property in perpetuity. On 30 October confirmed that each approved sale cancels the old lease and issues a new 99-year lease for a 4% fee. A leaked recording of a September meeting with scholars says the same.
Signs the commercial terms.
Closed meeting with religious scholars; recording leaked 5 Nov.
Confirms lease reset on each sale; publishes land-value argument.
Calls Ras Malé the most transparent project the country has announced. Argued in August that the MDP resolution against residency sales would mislead the public.
Party leaders, former ministers, MPs and others who have spoken or acted in their own name, or who have stayed silent.
Jumhooree Party leader, founder of the Villa Group
Gasim Ibrahim
No public position found
The business tycoon and party leader, whose group holds resort and tourism interests, has made no public statement on the Eagle Hills deal found in reporting up to 7 November 2026. His party has not taken a position either. Dhivehi-language sources still to be checked.
Former Economic Minister, MDP presidential hopeful
Fayyaz Ismail
Wants it halted or put to a vote
Backs investor residency in principle but says the deal was poorly negotiated: Eagle Hills’ host governments in Georgia, Serbia and Albania hold about a third of their ventures, while the Maldives takes no stake. Wants the agreement published and the land independently valued. Urged members to fill the streets nightly until 17 November if no referendum is called by 15 November.
Related record
As minister in 2022 his ministry leased the Dhigufaru lagoon, now Project Ayla, through an unsolicited proposal.
Calls for the agreement to be published before signing.
Says he would not oppose Eagle Hills if the project were awarded through an open tender. Accuses the government of creating the controversy and says its handling could undermine the investment.
Has alleged links between Eagle Hills, Alabbar and Israeli businesses. On 29 October addressed Alabbar on X, tagging the UAE embassy, saying the government’s willingness to accommodate him is not the consent of the Maldivian people.
Says parliament must consult the public before allowing foreigners to live in any part of the country. Puts the land’s value at US$10–17 billion. Has warned that townships could become tax-haven-style zones.
Resolution to halt residency sales and publish the Henley agreement; rejected in August.
Asked the Supreme Court to declare the commercial terms unconstitutional and void, arguing that no law lets the state grant successive 99-year rights to a foreign party under Articles 250 and 251.
Actions
Supreme Court petition; refused by the registrar on 13 October as not a first-instance matter. Has asked the Judicial Service Commission to review that decision.
Filed a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Commission saying the government has not disclosed how the project was awarded or whether it was ever opened to bidding, and that the minister’s and Eagle Hills’ statements differ.
Sheikh Zaid and Dr Mohamed Iyaz have also spoken publicly; their statements will be added once logged from the original.
Former Home Minister and former Adhaalath Party president; leads “Maldivian land for Maldivians”
Sheikh Imran Abdulla
Wants it cancelled
Wants the project stopped and argues that, because only Sunni Muslims can be citizens under the constitution, it cannot proceed without a referendum. Has pledged that a future government would annul the agreement without compensation if it is signed against the public’s will.
Warns the President of consequences for “betraying the religion and the nation”.
Launches the campaign.
Moves the rally to 13 November; pledges annulment without compensation.
Its report, dated 17 October, finds the project neither impermissible nor harmful in itself, but objects to leases with no fixed end, an unpublished contract, no competitive process and resort norms next to the capital. It says the government has a religious duty to pause, then renegotiate or withdraw before signing a definitive agreement. It found no evidence that Ras Malé is an Israeli project.
Actions
Report sent to the President’s Office and parliament. Estimates state revenue at US$5.7–7.3 billion over 10 years.
Has set out eight principles for Ras Malé and other foreign-invested projects, including protecting the country’s Islamic identity and sovereignty and assessing demographic, security and social risks. Says such projects should offer nothing to Israeli citizens, but that this does not mean closing the door on foreign investment.
Disputed report
Called Adhadhu’s description of its statement as conditional support for settlement by followers of other religions false. Adhadhu stood by its story.
Related record
Its leadership includes members of the First Lady’s family.
Wrote that the deal raises extremely concerning and dangerous issues, and that its outcome will decide whether the country keeps its Islamic faith and independence.
Said ministers told scholars that Maldivian police would not be stationed in the Eagle Hills area. The Home Minister warned him against spreading falsehoods; the minister’s own record of the meeting says police would have jurisdiction and a station if needed.
Governance manager Azza Mohamed calls for full transparency over beneficial ownership, independent oversight of procurement and approvals, and systems to trace and recover illicit funds. She warns that zones and strategic-investment rules without tenders recreate conditions seen in the MMPRC scandal. Its comments cover Ras Malé, Ayla and the residency schemes together.
Takes no position on the deal itself. Asked police to investigate threats against journalists who joined Eagle Hills’ media tour of the UAE, and urged newsrooms to label paid advertorials in Ras Malé coverage.
Former presidents given their own section, ordered by when each first took a position. Abdulla Yameen and the PNF moved from “halted or put to a vote” to “cancelled”, after review of his statements of 24 September and 11 October calling for cancellation. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan and Gasim Ibrahim added as having no public position. Nasheed’s September statements added to his record.
7 Nov 2026
Page created.
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