Ministry of Islamic Affairs has declared March 23 as the first day of the month of Ramadan in the Maldives.
In a statement released to declare the sighting of the new crescent moon, Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr. Ahmed Zahir said that trusted astronomical experts have confirmed the crescent moon will not be sighted in the Maldives or any other Islamic country on March 22. As such, Minister Zahir said March 23 has been declared as the first day of Ramadan.
The regulations state that the sighting of the new crescent moon signifies the official first day of the fasting month. However, the Islamic ministry will defer to astronomical experts or sightings in other Islamic countries if the moon is not sighted in the Maldives.
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