As the Muslim Ummah welcomes the fasting month of Ramadan this year, the greatest joy is having overcome the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The President said this in an address to the nation on Friday evening, on the occasion of the beginning of Ramadan 1443 .

In his statement, Solih said that the biggest joy as we welcome Ramadan this year is that the challenges presented by the pandemic have been overcome, which will allow people to devote their full attention to spending the Holy month observing obligatory duties of the religion.

Highlighting that the precautionary measures that were implemented to curb the spread of the infection have now been lifted, the President stated that life has returned to normal for Maldivians,

This in turn will allow the people to perform prayers in congregation, in mosques, said the President.

Going on to urge the people to be more motivated to take advantage of this opportunity to fast, pray the Thara'weeh and recite the Holy Quran more often, the President noted that the fasting month is filled with Allah's blessings and forgiveness.

With this being said, the President also urged the people to be kind towards each other and prioritize familial bonds, good manners and extend helping hands to one another more often.

This he said, will increase one’s rank in the afterlife.

In his address, the President also shed light on the significance of immersing oneself in observing religious duties, and expressed hope that the entire Muslim nation will reap the benefits of the fasting month.