Minister of Construction and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muththalib has defended Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of UAE-based Eagle Hills, stating that the prominent Emirati businessman no longer maintains any connections with Israel or Zionist entities. The remarks were brought to light following the leak of an authenticated audio recording from a high-level meeting held in late September between the minister and a group of local religious scholars.
During the meeting, scholars voiced significant concerns regarding Alabbar’s past business dealings and public statements, pointing out his historical ties to Israeli leaders and previous remarks advocating for Muslims and Jewish families living alongside each other. Addressing these reservations directly, Minister Muththalib clarified that he had questioned Alabbar about the issue, with the billionaire confirming that such relationships belonged entirely to the past and that no active ties remain today.
Public and political scrutiny in the Maldives intensified around Alabbar due to his central role in the Rasmale land reclamation and mega-development project, reigniting controversy over his 2005 secret meetings with Israeli officials to discuss buying Palestinian land in Gaza. Minister Muththalib noted that he firmly informed Alabbar of the Maldivian public’s strong sensitivities, particularly highlighting national efforts to ban Israeli passports and guaranteeing that no opportunities would be created for Zionists to acquire real estate or establish residency in the Maldives.
Emphasizing the integrity of the project, the minister gave assurances that the initiative is free from undue influence or corruption, stating, "This mega-project is not being executed for influence or improper financial gain; not a single gift has been given to the government or to any minister in connection with this project." He further noted that Alabbar has no intentions of exerting political sway over the Maldives, offering religious scholars the opportunity to engage directly with the UAE developer if lingering doubts persist.
Minister Muththalib also highlighted Alabbar’s humanitarian and social commitments, pointing out that his company, Emaar, is currently financing the construction of 20,000 housing units in Gaza. The minister added that Alabbar’s personal background—having grown up in an impoverished household sharing a single room with eight siblings—drove his willingness to build 5,000 social housing units in Hulhumale on a revenue-deductible basis, driven by genuine empathy for ordinary citizens facing housing hardship rather than commercial exploitation.