The official ceremony to confirm the moon sighting to mark the beginning of the month of Shawwal has been scheduled for Thursday evening.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs revealed that the meeting will take place at 8:45pm on Thursday, at the meeting hall of the Islamic Center.

The ceremony will be aired live on television as well as radio and streamed on the ministry’s social media platform Facebook page.

All islands across the Maldives will be observing the moon sighting for the beginning of Shawwal.

Anyone who sights the moon on Thursday evening will be required to testify in front of a judge at the magistrate court if they’re based in an outlying atoll.

Should the moon be sighted in another country, the details will be provided to the public by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Eid Al-Fitr falls on Friday, April 21 according to the Hijri Calendar. This has been backed by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom as well.

However, the International Astronomical Centre (IAC) has stated that Eid Al-Fitr will likely fall on SaturdayApril 22.

Eid Al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, a month during which Muslims observe fasting from sunrise to sunset.