President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that arrangements will be changed to provide free time for prayer at sports centers.

Before opening the floor for journalists to ask questions at the press conference held at the President's Office today, the President shared details regarding important initiatives being undertaken by the government, stating that arrangements will be made to pause all sports activities for a designated duration starting from the time of the call to prayer.

"We will bring the necessary changes so that all sports can be paused for a designated period, even if it is about 20 minutes, starting from the time of the adhan. We are taking such measures because ours is a 100 percent Islamic country, and I believe that practical implementation in our society must be built upon this reality," the President said.

The President stated that since the Maldives is a 100 percent Muslim nation, all aspects of life should be conducted in accordance with Islamic principles.

However, noting that remaining engaged in sports even as prayer times pass has been a long-standing habit, the President remarked that allowing prayer times to elapse while playing sports is not the ideal approach.

"It is not something done intentionally, but rather a habit that has existed among us for a long time. Therefore, ongoing internal discussions have progressed to the point of implementation in sports arenas—for example, establishing modern prayer facilities alongside ablution spaces in state-constructed sports complexes and various sports arenas," the President said.

The President added that while the Ministry of Sports has already contracted various parties to develop certain types of sports arenas, these facilities will be integrated into those locations as well. Furthermore, he stated that such facilities will also be developed at existing sports complexes and the Maafannu Stadium.