Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Ahmed Zahir on Wednesday night announced Friday as the first day of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.
According to the lunar calendar, in 2020 (Hijri Year 1441) the first day of Ramadan will fall on April 24.
During the video conference held by the ministry regarding the moon sighting on Wednesday night, Minister Zahir revealed that no reliable sightings were confirmed across the country, by Islamic nations around the world, nor by trusted scholars. Thus, he declared that Thursday is the last day of the month of Shauban, with Ramadan commencing the day after.
As concerns grow over food security amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, authorities revealed that the Social Council of the President’s Office will provide food and other essential needs to expatriates and locals in need during Ramadan.
Moreover, sources have confirmed that some businesses in the country have refused to pay the mandatory Ramadan allowances stipulated in the Employment Act.
Meanwhile, the government has assured that Maldives presently has sufficient stock of essentials, including staple foods. According to the state, efforts are underway to import more food products into the country.
The financial repercussions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in scarcity of certain products in demand, as businesses struggle. To control inflation rates amidst the crisis, the state has implemented certain regulations, such as putting a cap on prices for certain products.
The highest allowed pricing for a kilogram of potatoes or onions is MVR 20, while eggs cannot be sold at a cost higher than MVR 1.80 each. Businesses that violate these regulations will be fined MVR 100,000. However, public concerns were raised regarding a failure for business to adhere to the price-cap.
In a grimly historic move, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs also temporarily suspended all congregational prayers in every mosque across Maldives until further notice, as a measure to contain the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
Maldives' first confirmed case of COVID-19 within the capital city of Male', was recorded on April 15, prompting the lockdown of the greater Male' region which is now in place until May 1.
At present, Maldives records 85 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There are total 68 active and two probable cases, while 16 have recovered
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the spread of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. The novel coronavirus has infected over 2.6 million people and claimed over 184,219 lives around the world. However, out of those infected, more than 717,759 people have recovered.
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