Public holiday commemorating the conversion to Islam with cultural celebrations and government ceremonies.
The Day Maldives Embraced Islam is observed nationwide on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, as a public holiday that commemorates the islands’ historic conversion to Islam in 1153 CE and honors the spiritual and cultural foundations that continue to shape Maldivian identity today. The date is determined by the Islamic lunar calendar and corresponds to the first day of Rabiʻ al‑Thani in 1447 AH, which government holiday schedules and reputable calendars align with September 24 for 2025, marking a full public holiday across the country.
Date and holiday status
- Official observance: Wednesday, September 24, 2025, listed as “The Day Maldives Embraced Islam” on national holiday calendars and public holiday rosters for Malé.
- Islamic calendar basis: The holiday falls on 1 Rabiʻ al‑Thani, with annual Gregorian dates shifting relative to the lunar cycle; 2025 aligns on September 24.
- Public institutions: Government offices, many private businesses, banks, and schools observe the day as a public holiday, with adjusted hours or closures common across Malé and the atolls.
Historical significance
According to tradition, the Maldives converted to Islam under the guidance of Abu al‑Barakat Yusuf al‑Barbari, a scholar from the Maghreb, who persuaded the Maldivian king, Sri Tribuvana Aditiya, to accept Islam; the king adopted the name Muhammed Ibn Abdulla, after which Islam spread throughout the archipelago via royal patronage and missionary effort. A tomb known as Medhu Ziyaaraiy within Malé’s Hukuru Miskiy (Friday Mosque) is venerated as the resting place of Abu al‑Barakat, symbolically anchoring the story of conversion in the capital’s historic core. Before the 12th century conversion, the Maldives practiced Buddhism for centuries, a past still evident in archaeological remnants on some islands, though Islam is now the state religion and central to national life.
Modern observance and national context
- State religion and identity: Islam is the state religion, and the holiday is framed as a day to reflect on faith, unity, and the values that have bound the nation since conversion, themes frequently highlighted by national leaders in official statements.
- Anniversary arc: Government cultural authorities have noted the approaching 900th anniversary of the conversion in 2026, with plans for grand commemorations that will emphasize language, heritage, and national solidarity in the run‑up to that milestone.
- Civic activities: While there is no singular national parade tradition, the day commonly features mosque-centered gatherings, community programs, Qur’an recitation, and public addresses that stress moral conduct and social cohesion.
What travelers can expect on Sept 24, 2025
- Openings and closures: Expect government offices and many businesses to close. Resorts operate normally, but local-island guesthouses, cafés, and shops may observe shortened hours; plan errands or inter‑island admin tasks for alternate days.
- Banking and ATMs: Banks close; ATMs function but may see heavier usage. Withdraw cash in advance if traveling to local islands on or around the holiday.
- Alcohol and dining: Alcohol is restricted to resort islands; that remains true year-round. On local islands, dining options may operate on reduced hours and with a focus on family and community meals during the holiday.
- Transport: Domestic flights and ferries run, though some schedules can shift for public holidays; confirm departure times and plan extra buffer for transfers.
Cultural etiquette for visitors
- Dress and conduct: When visiting mosques or local-island communities, wear modest attire covering shoulders and knees, and remove shoes before entering prayer halls. Photography around worshippers should be discreet and only with permission.
- Respect for prayer times: Friday noon is the primary congregational prayer weekly, but on this holiday, additional worship and community events may occur. Give space around mosque entrances and avoid loud music near religious sites.
- Learn the story: If in Malé, a walk by Hukuru Miskiy and Medhu Ziyaaraiy offers meaningful context; participate respectfully in heritage tours that explain both Islamic and pre‑Islamic layers of Maldivian history.
Planning a meaningful day
- Morning: Visit Malé’s Old Friday Mosque precinct for exterior views of coral-stone architecture and the Medhu Ziyaaraiy tomb area, then step through Sultan Park and the National Museum to trace the islands’ cultural arc from Buddhist artifacts to Islamic period items where available.
- Afternoon: Join a local‑island cultural program if offered by your guesthouse, such as dhivehi language lessons or a cooking class featuring hedhikaa (short eats) and traditional fish-based dishes that reflect everyday Maldivian life.
- Sunset: Observe maghrib from a seaside promenade on a local island or a resort’s quiet shore; many travelers find the cadence of daily prayers an evocative part of understanding Maldivian life.
Year‑to‑year date shifts and how to verify
Because the holiday is fixed to the Hijri calendar, the Gregorian date advances approximately 10–11 days earlier each year. Reputable calendars list the 2025 date as Wednesday, September 24, and note the Islamic basis so planners can anticipate future shifts; travelers should check reliable holiday sources or local announcements each year when booking around late September–October. For 2025, multiple independent listings converge on September 24, strengthening confidence in the exact timing for itinerary needs and service planning.
Why the day matters now
The countdown to the 900th anniversary in 2026 elevates the 2025 observance, as ministries and cultural institutions prepare broader programs to honor Islamic heritage and the national story it underpins. Public messages have focused on social ethics, unity, and the cultivation of moral and civic virtues as living expressions of faith, reinforcing how the holiday functions as both commemoration and call to practice.
Verified details at a glance
- Name: The Day Maldives Embraced Islam.
- 2025 date: Wednesday, September 24 (1 Rabiʻ al‑Thani 1447 AH).
- Type: Public holiday in the Maldives.
- Historical origin: Conversion to Islam in 1153 CE; tradition credits Abu al‑Barakat Yusuf al‑Barbari and King Sri Tribuvana Aditiya, later Muhammed Ibn Abdulla.
- Sites of note: Medhu Ziyaaraiy tomb within Hukuru Miskiy grounds, Malé.
- 900th anniversary: Grand national celebrations anticipated in 2026 per cultural authorities.
If travel plans include the Maldives in late September, embrace the opportunity to learn the story behind this national holiday. Build extra time for bank and office closures, dress modestly for mosque precincts, and follow local guidance to experience a respectful, enlightening day. For 2025, mark Wednesday, September 24 on the calendar, and let the Day the Maldives Embraced Islam deepen the journey with history, meaning, and community insight that lasts well beyond the holiday itself.