Author: Hindou Aïd Ngom
This year, Lent for Catholics, Ramadan for Muslims, and the Lunar New Year all fell on the same day: Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
This coincidence can be explained by one main factor: although these celebrations follow different calendars, they are all directly or indirectly connected to the lunar cycle.
Before comparing their differences and similarities, let us first understand their meaning.
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is entirely lunar. It is the month during which the Prophet Muhammad received the first revelation of the Quran. Therefore, this month holds a central spiritual significance in Islam.
Fasting, known as sawm, is the fourth pillar of Islam. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast every day from dawn until sunset. They abstain from:
- eating
- drinking
- sexual relations
Certain individuals may be exempt from fasting:
- the sick
- pregnant women
- the elderly
- children who have not reached puberty
However, Ramadan is not only about hunger. In the Quran, fasting is prescribed in order to attain piety (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 183).
The true goal is to discipline the body, purify the heart, control desires, and draw closer to Allah. It is a month of prayer, solidarity, and inner transformation.
Lent
Lent is an essential period for Christians. It prepares them for Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The word “Lent” comes from the Latin quadragesima, meaning “fortieth.” It begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts forty days (Sundays are not counted).
This period recalls the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert at the beginning of his ministry.
The number 40 is highly symbolic in the Bible:
- The Flood lasted 40 days
- Moses remained 40 days and 40 nights on the mountain to receive the Tablets of the Law
- The Hebrews wandered 40 years in the desert
During Lent, Christians are invited to:
- pray more
- practice fasting or voluntary sacrifice
- show charity
- refocus spiritually
Lent is primarily an interior and personal journey. It is not only about physical effort, but about a conversion of the heart.
The Differences
Lent prepares Christians for Easter, the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. It is rooted in renewal and hope.
Ramadan, on the other hand, commemorates the revelation of the Quran and constitutes a religious obligation for every healthy adult Muslim. It requires a strict daily fast from dawn to sunset.
Physically speaking, Ramadan is generally more demanding, as it involves total abstinence from both food and water during daylight hours.
Lent, by contrast, allows more freedom in how fasting is practiced. It may involve partial dietary abstinence or a chosen sacrifice (such as sweets, social media, or certain habits).
The Similarities
Despite their differences, both periods share essential common elements:
- They are major spiritual seasons
- They include fasting or sacrifice
- They encourage prayer
- They promote generosity and solidarity
- They aim at drawing closer to God
In both traditions, it is not simply about refraining from food. The real challenge is internal: purifying the heart, correcting behavior, mastering desires, and strengthening faith.
Ultimately, whether it is Lent or Ramadan, fasting only has value if it transforms a person from within.It is not the amount of suffering that matters, but the sincerity of the intention.
Cover image by: congerdesign from Pixabay
Edited by: Richard Mayer
