Sheikh Mohamed Anil has expressed concern over the use of mosques and religious sites in campaigning for September’s presidential ballots.

In a post on his Twitter account, Sheikh Anil said that governance and religious matters must remain as one but condemned the use of the latter as a tool for political gain.

Sheikh Anil’s post translates to, ‘the use of mosques in presidential campaign events opens a dangerous door to an immensely nefarious path, although governance and religion cannot be separated, the use of religious sites for political gain is a disheartening and deplorable act’.

Though Anil’s post does not name him, fellow religious scholar Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem has faced scrutiny for holding a political event at the Islamic Center in Thinadhoo island of Gaafu Dhaal atoll.

While local laws pertaining to political parties bans the use of religious and holy grounds for any such activity, Shaheem has faced additional criticism for posting photographs with himself sitting alongside a mixed-gender group of supporters.