23 May 2017 | 03:16 AM UTC
Maldives: Ramadan observations to start May 26-27
Muslims in Maldives will begin celebrating Ramadan May 26-27; expect reduced business hours as well as tight security measures in major urban areas
Event
On May 26-27, Muslims will begin their month-long celebration of Ramadan. The end of the month of Ramadan, marked by the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, will take place on June 25. Though practices can vary by country, many businesses, restaurants, and government administrations are expected to operate on a reduced schedule during this holy month. Diplomatic missions may also operate on a similar schedule.
Transportation disruptions are to be anticipated during this period due to an increased number of travelers, especially in airports. Heavy traffic after sundown (particularly over weekends) is to be anticipated as Muslims typically gather to celebrate the holy month with family. Furthermore, traffic accidents tend to increase during Ramadan (especially at dusk) due to a combination of exhaustion, hunger, dehydration, and impatience.
Additionally, expect tight security measures in major urban areas due to a heightened terror threat. In 2016, Islamic State (IS) called on its members to perpetrate attacks coinciding with Ramadan. Some regional terrorist groups followed suit.
Finally, local authorities typically observe an increase in incidents of petty crime during this period.
Context
Ramadan is a period of reflection and self-restraint and carries great significance within the Muslim calendar. Muslims traditionally observe daytime fasting and are called to practice increased devotion. Nearly 100 percent of the Maldivian population is Muslim.
Political tension in the Maldives has intensified since the 2012 coup that ousted the country’s first democratically elected president Mohamed Nasheed, and spiked again in March 2017 after an attempt by the opposition to impeach the country’s parliamentary speaker. The issue of radicalization has also become increasingly concerning in the past decade, with at least 50 Maldivians estimated to have left to fight with Islamist terrorist groups in the region.
More generally, this period also corresponds to a significant increase in the regional terror threat in many Muslim-majority countries.
Advice
Individuals in the Maldives are advised not to eat, drink, or smoke in public by day during this period. Travelers are also advised to allow additional time for travel and to avoid any form of public demonstration or public gathering.
