Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage has commenced a countdown to mark 900 years since Maldives embraced Islam.
Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage has commenced a countdown to mark 900 years since Maldives embraced Islam.
Rabi-ul-Awwal 1 on the Hijri (Islamic) Calendar is marked annually as the anniversary of the day Maldives first embraced Islam. As such, last Saturday marked 898 years.
In a statement issued by the Ministry today, they said that it is a decision of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to begin this countdown, which will culminate in a festive celebration on the 900th anniversary.
Maldives embraced Islam in year 548 on the Gregorian Calendar. Rabi-ul Awwal 1 on the Islamic Calendar is said to be the day when then leader, Dharumavantha Rasgefaanu, accepted Islam and ordered citizens to do the same.
The first time the anniversary of the day Maldives embraced Islam was celebrated was in 1954, when Al Sultan Mohamed Fareed-ul Awwal was in power. Since 1968, the day was no longer marked until the year 2000, when it became an annual celebration again.
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