The Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) has announced arrangements to verify the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon on the evening of 18 March.

In a statement, the DJA said the process will follow the same procedure used in previous years. Individuals who sight the crescent moon marking the beginning of Shawwal are required to provide testimony before a judge at a court in Malé.

In the atolls, testimony must be given before the magistrate of the respective island’s Magistrate Court. If a magistrate is not present on the island, testimony may be given before the senior official responsible for overseeing the island council office at the time.

The DJA stated that its offices, along with Magistrate Courts, island council offices and atoll council offices across the country, will remain open from 5:30 p.m. on March 18, which marks the 29th day of Ramadan, until a decision is reached on the sighting of the Shawwal moon.

Individuals reporting a moon sighting are required to provide key details, including the direction in which the moon was seen, its position and other relevant information.

The calendar indicates that Eid al-Fitr is expected to fall on 20 March this year.