Dr. Majeedh: I voiced against building a casino in the presidency of Nasheed

Islamic Minister of the MDP government, Dr. Abdul Majeedh Abdul Baaree has said that in the presidency of Mohamed Nasheed, he voiced against the casino which was planned to build in Maldives as part of a foreign invested project.

Speaking on RaajjeTV tonight, Dr. Majeedh said that President Nasheed did not fight when he protested against the casino project and asked to change the plans to be suited for the Maldivian culture. And the President consulted that the project cannot go forward if the Islamic Minister does not agree to it.

Dr. Majeedh said that in Nasheed’s Presidency, he objected even if something was planned against the religion. And the President always held his council in high regard.

“A Chinese project is presented to the cabinet. A project called ETG to develop Huvadhoo Atoll. And it’s major component is the casino. I said that this cannot be done. It is against the religion. And the constitution says that now laws can be made against the Islamic sharia. And the Maldivians would also go to these places. And the cabinet ministers also debated over it.” Dr. Majeedh said.

“So asked the Chinese to change these according to the Maldivian culture. This shows that he (President Nasheed) listens when the religious matters are clarified to him.” Dr. Majeedh said.

He said that the ETB project was a project signed in 2011 at the President’s Office.

The project was a billion dollar investment to develop Huvadhoo Atoll (Gaafu Alif and Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll).

The Chinese company proposed to develop Huvadhoo Atoll to receive the resort in return.