A rare moment of spiritual harmony is set to unfold as Christians and Muslims around the world prepare to enter their respective fasting periods on the same day, an occurrence not seen in over three decades.
This simultaneous start of Lent and Ramadhan brings together millions in a shared experience of prayer, self-discipline, and reflection.
For Christians, tomorrow marks Ash Wednesday, the official beginning of Lent, a 40-day period commemorating Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness before launching his ministry.
Lent continues until Easter, which falls on April 5 this year. For Muslims, the month of Ramadhan will begin with the sighting of the new crescent moon, expected either tonight or tomorrow.
The month-long fast, lasting from February 18 to March 19, remembers the period when Prophet Muhammad received revelations from the Qurān, with fasting observed from dawn until sunset each day.
The alignment of the two observances is considered unusual because Lent is based on the solar calendar while Ramadhan follows the lunar calendar, which is roughly 11 days shorter than the solar year.
This causes the Islamic month to shift annually, completing a full cycle every 33 years. A study by the Astronomical Applications Department of the US Naval Observatory noted: “Ramadhan is much more movable; it rotates through the year every 33 years, falling about 11 days earlier each year. It last overlapped with Lent in the early 90s, and now it has come around again.”
Though Lent and Ramadhan have overlapped for a few days in some previous years, the start of both on the same day is exceptionally rare. For example, last year Lent ran from March 5 to April 17, while Ramadhan was observed from March 1 to March 30.
In Catholic practice, Lent includes fasting from Ash Wednesday to Good Friday and abstaining from meat on all Fridays during the season.
Catholics aged 18 to 59 are expected to fast, which allows one full meal and two smaller meals that do not add up to a full meal, with no eating in between. Individuals aged 14 and older should abstain from meat. The season also emphasizes prayer, charitable acts, and spiritual renewal.
Muslim cleric Sheikh Mohamed Khalifa welcomed the overlap, saying it is “a reminder of shared humanity and a call for peace, empathy, and understanding.” During Ramadhan, Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sexual activity from dawn until sunset. Meals before dawn (suhoor) and at sunset (iftar) punctuate the daily fast, with iftar traditionally beginning with dates and water before a full meal.
Preparations for Ramadhan include government support; the National Treasury recently waived Import Declaration Fee and Railway Development Levy on dates to ease access for believers.
Worship intensifies during the month, with increased recitation of the Qurān and nightly taraweeh prayers at mosques. Charity is a key component, with Zakat al Fitr required at the end of the month and additional voluntary donations encouraged to support the needy.
In areas where both faiths are well represented, daytime fasting is expected to slow down business activity, particularly in restaurants and cafes. Religious leaders hope the rare convergence encourages mutual understanding and strengthens interfaith relations.
