President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, in his special message on the occasion of the beginning of Ramadan, appealed to all Maldivians to make the best of the Holy month, and to be steadfast in holding on to the Islamic manners and practices.
In his message, the President underscored that it was a true blessing to witness the Holy month and extended greetings on the occasion, to the people of Maldives and to the wider Muslim community.
The President highlighted that with the month of Ramadan comes also the opportunity to engage in Islamic beliefs and spirituality.
"Additionally, the President noted that the revelation of the Holy Quran took place during the month of Ramadan, thus it is essential to engage in good deeds, timely prayers and renew the passion of reciting the Holy Quran," the president was quoted in a president's office statement.
Maldives welcomed the first of Ramadan on Wednesday unlike some of the Arab countries which marked the beginning a day later on Thursday as their governments had respectively announced no sighting of crescent.
Islamic Minister Dr. Ahmed Ziyad Baaqir had said the conclusion was arrived based on astronomical findings as well as based on the Islamic calendar which marked the first of Ramadan on Wednesday.
