Govt announces 15 day Eid and Ramadan holiday!

The government of Maldives, via a directive by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, has declared the entire week of Eid al-Fitr as a public holiday.

A statement by the President's Office said that if the Ministry of Islamic Affairs were to announce Shawwal 1 which falls on March 31, 2025, as per the Gregorian calendar, the government holidays for Eid would include March 31, April 1, 2, and 3.

However, if the ministry were to declare that Eid falls on March 30, the government holidays would then shift to March 30, 31 and April 1.

In order to ensure "employees can enjoy uninterrupted holidays and spend more time with their families during Eid al-Fitr," Muizzu said Eid holidays would last until April 3 regardless. With Friday and Saturday following, government offices will reopen on April 6, 2025, after the Eid holidays.

The government will also be closed from March 20 onwards for the last 10 days of Ramadan, in line with the president's decision to follow suit each year.

Because of this, there will be a 15 day holiday including the last 10 days of Ramadan and the five days of Eid break.

According to the President's Office, Muizzu declared the last 10 days of Ramadan as a holiday to encourage the practice of Islamic principles and to give people the opportunity to give priority to religious matters.

However, the president's directive notified government agencies to provide essential services even during the holidays.