Last 10 days of Ramadan declared public holiday

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has made the decision to make the last ten days of Ramadan a public holiday.

The decision was made during a cabinet meeting on Sunday. In a press conference held after the meeting, President’s Office chief spokesperson Mohamed Shaheeb said the president made the decision to foster and promote Islamic values and practices, and allow the Maldivian people to prioritize religious observances during the holy month.

“The president pledged to close government offices during the last 10 days of Ramadan on August 30, 2023, during a campaign rally in B. Eydhafushi,” noted Shaheeb.

During the same rally, President Muizzu had also pledged to close schools for eighth graders and lower during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

When asked whether the decision to close government schools extended to that, Shaheeb responded that it did.

But he did not provide further details regarding the decision.

Government employees receive relaxed work hours for Ramadan each year, with the work hours for civil servants limited to four hours.

According to the calendar, next year’s Ramadan will begin on March 11.