Amendment to Shorten Parliamentary Sittings During Ramadan

An amendment has been submitted to the standing orders of the Parliament, proposing to suspend parliamentary sittings during the holy month of Ramadan and to conclude the ongoing session by the end of this month.

The amendment was proposed by Abdulla Rifaau, the South Maafannu MP from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).

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Parliamentary sittings are divided into three sessions annually:

• First session: 1 February to 15 May
• Second session: 1 June to 15 August
• Third session: 1 October to 1 November

Rifaau’s proposal seeks to shorten the first session, which began on 6 February.

The amendment clarifies that the remaining sessions of the year will proceed according to the existing standing orders. It also specifies that this change will only apply to the first session of the year.

While parliamentary sittings typically continue during Ramadan, they are shortened to two hours. Additionally, the final ten days of Ramadan are designated as government holidays under a commitment made by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.