The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has publicized the changes to be made in the traffic flow of three areas in the congested capital of Maldives during the mass congregation for Eid-Al-Fitr.

In a publication on Thursday, the police institution revealed that they have decided to bring changes to the traffic flow in the surrounding areas near Maafannu Stadium, Salman Mosque as well as the Islamic Center.

Traffic flow in three areas will be changed for Eid prayers in the capital Male City and officers of MPS will be active in these places.

A large portion of the outlying Boduthakurufaanu Magu is scheduled to be barricaded alongside some other roads near the locations.

This year, congregations are to be held in two locations of Hulhumalé as well.

The mass congregation for Fitr Eid will be held at the Synthetic Track in Hulhumalé Phase I, with another congregation to be held in the Cricket Stadium of Hulhumalé Phase II.

In a bid to ensure easy entry and exit by the public in the Synthetic Track area, two entrances have been allotted for men and women to enter the congregation separately.

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 Saturday, April 22.

The official ceremony to confirm the moon sighting to mark the beginning of the month of Shawwal is scheduled for 8:45pm on Thursday.

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.

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

The government has been holding mass congregations at stadiums for many years now, with the first one held in 2012. Eid prayers are performed in congregation twice a year during Eid-Al-Adha and the Eid-Al-Fitr, the latter marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan which is celebrated by Muslim communities globally.

Performing the Eid prayer in congregation is a holy practice among the Muslim communities.