Committee approves Parliament to go on recess during Ramadan

General Purpose Committee of Parliament has passed an amendment to shorten the first session of Parliament and go on recess during Ramadan.

The amendment, proposed by People's National Congress (PNC) MP Abdulla Rifau (Bochey), seeks to restructure Parliament's annual schedule.

Under the proposal, the first session will begin in January and conclude by the end of the month. The second session will then run from April to the end of July, while the third session will remain unchanged, spanning from September to the end of November.

Since this year's first session commenced in February, the second and third sessions will follow the revised timeline.

The committee, chaired by Holhudhoo MP Abdul Sattar Mohamed, passed the amendment without changes, citing the need to maximize opportunities for worship during Ramadan.

However, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Ameen Faisal opposed the amendment, arguing that work itself is a form of worship in Islam. He pointed out that significant battles in Islamic history took place during Ramadan and noted that civil service employees continue to work for the first 20 days of the holy month.

Despite opposition, PNC members defended the amendment, emphasizing that no working days would be lost under the revised schedule.

Some members questioned whether Parliament should make a separate amendment each year to accommodate Ramadan.

In response, MP Abdul Sattar stated that the new regulation would remain in effect until 2029. Any further amendments should be considered that year, as it marks the election of a new Parliament, which will require a regulatory revision.