A Unique Convergence of Holidays: Muslim Ramadan and Christian Lent Begin Together

The beginning of 2026 was marked in the liturgical calendar as a moment of exceptional coincidence. For the first time in years, Ash Wednesday fell on February 18, the day most Muslim communities recognized as the first day of Ramadan. This convergence sparked numerous reactions worldwide. In Frankfurt am Main, the city center was illuminated for the third time with special lights, including the message "Happy Ramadan," which sparked debates about the limits of tolerance and favoritism towards a religion. Similar initiatives were taken in Cologne, where the organization The Ramadan Project prepared decorations aimed at building bridges between cultures. The Gregorian calendar is solar, while the Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles, causing Muslim holidays to shift by about 11 days each year relative to European dates. Such synchronization of fasting periods occurs on average once every 30 years.The situation in France revealed internal tensions within the Muslim community. A dispute arose there between the Grand Mosque of Paris and the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) over whether the fast should begin on Wednesday or Thursday. The differences stemmed from varying methods – traditional sky observation and astronomical calculations. Meanwhile, in the Italian town of Monfalcone, local Catholic priests made a gesture of solidarity by making parish halls available to Muslims who lack their own place of worship. In Spain, the government faced criticism from conservative media for extending Ramadan greetings while omitting mention of the Catholic start of Lent. Experts emphasize that the fasting period, though different in form for both faiths, promotes shared values: self-control, empathy, and support for the poorest. Paris: 12.1, Toulouse: 11.9, Strasbourg: 12.2, Marseille: 11.7 1.5 billion — people worldwide are currently celebrating the holy month of Ramadan In Singapore and Algeria, official religious bodies announced the start of the fast on February 19, as the new moon could not be observed on Tuesday evening. Despite these technical differences, the media highlight the growing economic impact of Ramadan. In Italy, a sharp increase in sales of halal products in supermarkets was noted, indicating the growing purchasing power of religious minorities. Doctors also reassure that fasting undertaken by healthy adults does not lower their cognitive abilities and may even promote bodily regeneration through the process of autophagy. „We must overcome fears and distrust by opening the doors of our houses of prayer to brothers of another faith.” — don Flavio ZanettiEmphasizes the humanistic dimension of shared celebration, gestures of solidarity by the Catholic clergy, and the need for integration in a multicultural society. | Points out the lack of government greetings for Catholics, controversies over Frankfurt illuminations, and alleged favoritism of Islam at the expense of European tradition.