Ramadan moon sighting scheduled for Tuesday, February 17
11 ފެބުރުއަރީ 2026 | ބުދަ 13:16DJA has announced that courts and council offices across the country will remain open starting Tuesday evening to facilitate the sighting of the new moon for Ramadan. Arrangements have been made in Male' and the islands for individuals to provide testimony regarding moon sightings, with the government covering all travel expenses for those coming forward to testify. According to the calendar, the first day of Ramadan is expected to fall on Wednesday, March 18.
An aircraft flies across the face of a full moon. | Getty Images | getty images
The Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) has announced that the moon-sighting for this year's holy month of Ramadan will take place on Tuesday, February 17.
The moon sighting process is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m, that day. To facilitate this, the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA), along with atoll and island council offices and magistrate courts across the country, will remain open during this time.
Individuals wishing to testify regarding the sighting of the moon may do so before a judge in Male' or before a magistrate in the islands. In islands where a magistrate is unavailable, testimony can be provided in the presence of the official in charge of the local council. As in previous years, the government has arranged to cover travel expenses for those traveling to provide testimony on moon sightings.
When reporting a moon sighting, it is essential to provide key details such as the moon's direction and its altitude.
According to the calendar, the first day of Ramadan this year falls on Wednesday, the 18th of this month.
