The annual mass congregation for Eid al-Fitr prayers in capital city Malé will be held this year at the football stadium in Maafannu, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has revealed.

While the stadium will be prepared for mass congregation, the ministry said that the Islamic Center is also to be prepared for larger congregations.

The ministry said it has been in meetings with its employees as well as those from other civil service branches and state-run companies for logistical prepation of the stadium.

While residents of administrative-mainland Malé will gather at the stadium, the football stadium in its suburban extension Vilimalé is to be prepared for congregation, the ministry said.

Mass congregations have been held at the stadium for years. While mass congregation for Eid al-Fitr prayers has been customary around the world, Maldives first began holding them in 2012.