The Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) has announced that the process for sighting the new moon of Shawwal will take place on the evening of Monday, the 18th of this month. To facilitate this, the DJA, Magistrate Courts, and local Council offices will remain open from 5:30 PM on that day until a formal decision regarding the moon sighting is reached.
Any individual or group that witnesses the new moon is required to provide their testimony before a judge in Malé, or before a Magistrate in the administrative islands. Should travel be necessary to provide such testimony, the state will cover the associated expenses. Witnesses are expected to provide essential details, such as the elevation and direction of the moon.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs will convene a special meeting to officially determine the commencement of the month of Shawwal. According to the calendar, Eid al-Fitr is projected to fall on the 20th of this month.
