Ibrahim Fazul, Managing Director of Maldives Water and Sewerage attempted to play the religion card at a ruling party event but had repeatedly failed to recite a well-known verse in his speech.

After accusing the opposition coalition of ignoring religion, he had attempted to recite the verse twice before admitting that he had forgotten what he was about to say.

As Fazul was struggling to recite the verse, housing minister Dr. Mohamed Muizzu was seen in the crowd gesturing at him to stop.

Fazul has been facing public ridicule after the video of his speech began circulating on social media.

Member of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) have often been seen playing the religion card, and President Abdulla Yameen has claimed that the sovereignty of Islam in Maldives will be threatened if another party was to come into power.