President Mohamed Muizzu has characterised his political rivals as a group spreading anti-Islamic ideology.

Speaking at an event on Thursday (January 8) to inaugurate the ruling party's headquarters in Male', Muizzu said his political rivals opposed the ban on gambling.

“Political ideology that encourages and calls for anti-religious activities in our country should not be allowed in this 100 percent Islamic society that loves the holy religion of Islam,” he said.

But the opposition did not talk against banning gambling. They expressed concern because the definition of gambling was not clear in the proposed bill.

The opposition also criticised the government for not including strong measures to stop online gambling.

However, Muizzu claimed that the opposition worries because he tries to act according to religion.

"When it comes to amending the constitution to do it as it is in religion, this has become a huge issue for some parties politically. For those who are opposed to us," he said.