Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Zahir has declared April 13 as the first day of the month of Ramadan in the Maldives.
The Islamic minister said trusted astronomical experts have confirmed the moon will not be sighted in the Maldives or any other Islamic country on April 12, and therefore April 13, which is the 30th day of Sha’ban 1442, in the Islamic calendar, will be designated as the first day of Ramadan.
While the sighting of the new crescent moon signifies the official first day of the fasting month, according to regulations, the Islamic ministry will defer to astronomical experts or sightings in other Islamic countries, if the moon is not sighted in the Maldives. According to astronomers, the moon fell below the horizon 24 minutes before the sun set in the Maldives on April 12.