Backlash grows after “Ilmveringe Gulhun” exposed as registered commercial business

Public outrage and political backlash have intensified following revelations that ‘Ilmveringe Gulhun’—a prominent organization of religious scholars, who are opposing the Rasmale’ deal—is registered as a commercial business entity under the Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade rather than an NGO.

The revelation surfaced after Sheikh Zamzam Farish, affiliated with Ilmveringe Gulhun, launched a series of social media attacks against the government regarding the Rasmalé development project. Farish, who came to prominence after his vocal opposition to yoga activities in the country, publicly alleged that the project posed a threat to Islamic unity in the Maldives and claimed that security in the area would be handled by private security belonging to Eagle Hills Chairman Mohamed Alabbar rather than local security forces. The government, however, continues to share detailed project updates with the public.

In response, former MP for Ungoofaaru constituency Mohamed Waheed (Wadde) exposed the organization’s corporate status on social media, condemning scholars for engaging in political theater and commercializing religion. According to records shared by Waheed, Ilmveringe Gulhun is officially registered as a business under the name of Sheikh Zamzam Farish at the Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade.

“Previously, they used to say ‘a regular prayer costs a certain price, and a prayer said while crying costs another.’ Now, it is officially registered on the ‘business’ registry,” Waheed wrote, taking a direct jab at the monetization of religious services.

Following the revelation, public trust in the group has eroded rapidly, prompting several prominent religious scholars who held senior roles within Ilmveringe Gulhun to tender their resignations.

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