Uza Hawwa Latheef has become the first woman to deliver an official moon-sighting announcement in the Maldives.

The announcement, confirming the sighting of the Shawwal crescent, was delivered by Uza Hawwa on Wednesday night following a meeting of the national moon-sighting committee. This is the first time in the country’s history that a woman has made the official declaration.

Uza Hawwa currently serves as Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and is regarded as a highly knowledgeable Islamic scholar.

She has previously achieved other historic milestones, including becoming the first Maldivian woman scholar to write a Friday sermon. The sermon, delivered on 9 August 2024, was authored by Uza Hawwa.