Ramadan Begins Tomorrow, Ministry of Islamic Affairs Confirms

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs declared tomorrow the first of Ramadan, following the crescent moon sighting in the Maldives this evening.

According to Islamic tradition, the sighting of the crescent moon marks the start of the holy month of fasting. Eid al-Fitr is expected to fall on 20 March 2026.

During Ramadan, the last ten days will be observed as public holidays. School students are required to attend classes only during the first week of the month. The Ministry of Education’s academic calendar states that teaching will continue until the end of February, with Professional Development (PD) Days for teachers scheduled from 1 to 8 March, during which students will not attend school.

ބަރަކާތްތެރި ރަމަޟާން މަހުގެ ތަހުނިޔާއާއި ހެޔޮއެދުން އެންމެހާ މުސްލިމުންނަށް އަރިސްކުރަން. މި މާތް މައްސަރަކީ އެންމެހާ މުސްލިމުންނަށް ރަޙްމަތާއި ފުއްސެވުން ލިބިގެންވާ މައްސަރެއް ކަމުގައި ލައްވާށި!
رمضان مبارك pic.twitter.com/rIq2VpDLif

— Ministry of Islamic Affairs (@MVIaffairs) February 17, 2026

The final ten days of Ramadan will be observed from 9 to 19 March, during which public offices and schools will remain closed. Three additional days are designated as public holidays to celebrate Eid. Schools and offices will reopen on 23 March following a 26-day student break. Public offices and schools will operate under Ramadan working hours for the first seven days of Shawwal, after which normal working hours will resume.