The 'Gaumee Harakaaiy' [National Movement], formed to protest against the government's proposed Rasmale' project with UAE's Eagle Hills, has held a large demonstration in capital Male' tonight. 

The movement is led by former Home Minister Imran Abdulla, who also earlier served as the president of Adhaalath Party. 

Imran spoke at the rally, warning that if the Rasmale' project is allowed to proceed, Maldives would no longer have political parties. 

He urged to bear this in mind and set away political campaigns and political differences for the time being, and rise up together against the project. 

Several opposition political leaders also joined tonight's demonstration, titled 'Dhivehinge bin dhivehinnah' [Maldivian's land for Maldivians], held at the Artificial Beach area. 

Speaking at the rally, former President Abdulla Yameen stated that this is the time when members of ruling People's National Congress (PNC), parliamentarians, police and MNDF, too, should speak out. 

"Everyone who does not join this movement now are complicit in this crime... so when the next administration comes to office and changes this, all these people will be brought before courts. Criminal investigations will be carried out against these people," Yameen said. 

Yameen asserted that the agreement with Eagle Hills will be voided regardless of which party replaces the current government in the 2028 presidential election. No compensation will be offered to Eagle Hills, Yameen declared, stating that the agreement has been made in violation of local laws. 

"Even if this land has been given to them, we will take it back. We won't give any compensation either. This land is not being given away within the boundaries of this country's laws," he said. 

Yameen also criticized President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's refusal to hold a public referendum on the project. He said that there is no issue more in need of being opened for public views than matters that directly involve public interests. 

Citing the government's decision to give 500 hectares of reclaimed land from Rasmale' for Eagle Hills to implement the project, Yameen shared that, by his valuation, the land is worth MVR 400 to 500 billion. He stated that he stands strongly against giving away such a valuable land. 

Former MP for Kendhoo constituency, Ali Hussain, a lawyer by profession, also spoke at tonight's rally. Ali Hussain previously submitted a case to the High Court as well, seeking to halt the Rasmale' project. 

In his remarks tonight, Ali Hussain said that Article 10 of the Maldives Constitution states unequivocally that Islam is the religion of the Maldives State. He warned that if people practising other religions are allowed to settle in Rasmale' or elsewhere in the country, they will go on to secure citizenship and become part of the State. This then creates the question of which religion they belong to once they become part of the State, he said. 

Ali Hussain described the Rasmale' project as a major event on which the very existence of Maldives itself hinges on. 

President Muizzu responded for the first time to opposition claims about the Rasmale' project during his appearance on the President's Office podcast 'The Pulse' last month. 

In the podcast, the president said that these critics are people who clearly understand the realities of the project, and yet choose to misrepresent and distort the facts to achieve political obectives. He asserted that the Maldivian government will retain full control of the project. 

The President stated that by the time people begin residing in land plots and flats provided to the public from RasMale', it must become a place where rapid development arrives. The President stated that the decision to carry out a major investment by Eagle Hills in one part of RasMale' was made as a means to achieve that development.

President Muizzu stressed that even at present, islands are leased in the Maldives for 99 years to operate resorts. He said that once this period ends, the agreement allows for the State to cover the costs incurred on the property and bring the resorts under its ownership, or to extend the duration if deemed appropriate. The Rasmale' project will be conducted in the same manner, he said. 

President Muizzu also earlier said the Immigration Act prohibits entry using Israeli passports, while the Real Estate Business Bill submitted to Parliament proposes a ban on Israeli citizens and companies investing in the Maldives.

The proposed project in Rasmale' plans the development of a marina and waterfront on 500 hectares of reclaimed land by UAE company Eagle Hills. The government also announced that Eagle Hills will develop 5000 housing units (valued at MVR 7.7 billion or USD 500 million) in Hulhumale' Phase 3 for Maldivian families before the Rasmale' project commences.