Crossword Genius

They believe Maud, oddly, is losing weight (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

muslims

'they believe' is the definition.

'maud oddly is losing weight' is the wordplay.
'oddly' means one should take alternating letters (letters in the odd-numbered positions are used).
'is losing weight' becomes 'slims' (to slim is to lose or attempt to lose weight).
The alternating letters of 'maud' are 'mu'.
'mu'+'slims'='MUSLIMS'

(Another definition for muslims that I've seen is " Followers for Mohammed".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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