The Maldives celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr on Friday, March 20, 2026, in a festive and religious atmosphere aligned with the Arab and Middle Eastern countries. Multiple Eid congregations were held across the islands from 7 a.m. local time, with the largest gathering taking place at the Maafannu Stadium in the capital, Male. Major mosques, including Masjid al-Sultan (Grand Mosque) and Masjid al-Salman, also hosted prayers simultaneously.

Bangladeshi expatriates living in the Maldives joined the celebrations in groups at mosques such as Nurul Miskin, Ibrahim Miskin, and Hukuru Miskin, many wearing traditional attire that added color to the occasion. Bangladeshi-owned restaurants offered special traditional dishes, and expatriates spent the day with family and friends in Male and nearby Hulhumale.

The Bangladesh High Commission in the Maldives extended Eid greetings to the expatriate community, joined by leaders of the Maldives BNP and various community, business, and social organizations. The event reflected a blend of religious devotion and cultural festivity among the expatriate and local Muslim communities.

Five Bangladeshi nationals were killed in a gas cylinder explosion at a guesthouse of a local construction company on Dhigura Island in the Maldives early Thursday night. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m., leaving two others critically injured. The injured workers were transferred to the capital, Malé, for advanced medical treatment.

According to the Bangladesh High Commission’s Labour Counsellor in the Maldives, one of the injured is being treated in the ICU while the other is in the emergency department, both in critical condition. The victims were identified as Taj Uddin Islam, Md. Sadar Ali, Md. Robin Molla, Sofiqul Islam, and Md. Nurun Nabi Sarkar. The injured are Jamal Uddin and Saddam Hossain.

A delegation from the Bangladesh High Commission has been sent to the site to assess the situation, and steps are being taken to repatriate the bodies of the deceased to their families in Bangladesh.

As a mark of solidarity with Palestinians, the Maldives has officially banned the entry of Israeli citizens through legislation passed by its parliament on Tuesday. President Mohamed Muizzu immediately ratified the law, which takes effect without delay. In a statement, President Muizzu said the move reflects his government’s “firm stance against Israel’s ongoing atrocities and genocide against the Palestinian people.” He reaffirmed the Maldives’ unwavering support for the Palestinian struggle. This comes after President Muizzu had previously indicated in June last year that such a ban was being considered.