The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has declared that this Thursday will be the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.
The ministry said the moon will not be visible in any part of the Maldives and many other Islamic countries tonight.
The ministry also said that no Islamic country had officially sighted the new moon of Ramadan on Tuesday night; therefore, today will be the last day of the month of Shaban.
"Thursday, 23rd March, 2023, is the first day of the month of Ramadan 1444 according to the Hijri calendar," the Islamic Ministry said in a statement.