Both Muslims and Christians start fasting today as Ramadan and Lent begin on the same day

MILLIONS of Muslims and Christians worldwide have begun fasting today as the holy months of Ramadan and Lent start on the same day for the first time in a long while marking the commencement of periods of religious observance.

In a development which marks a month of spiritual reflection, fasting and devotion to their respective faiths, adherents of both religions start fasting today. For Muslims, Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is a time of fasting from dawn to sunset, increased prayers, charity and self-discipline.

For Christians, observing Lent involves a 40-day period of prayer, penance and self-denial, leading up to Easter Sunday. Traditionally, lent always beings with the observance of Ash Wednesday, which is today February 18, whereas in Islam, Saudi Arabia officially announced the sighting of the crescent moon yesterday, marking the beginning of Ramadan 1447.

Muslims in Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and some other parts of the world began their first day of fasting at dawn today. In Japan, Oman, Singapore and Turkey, however, Ramadan 2026 will begin tomorrow on Thursday, February 19.

Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and spiritual head of Nigeria's Muslims, yesterday, declared Wednesday 18th of February 2026, the first day of the holy month of Ramadan. He said the crescent moon was sighted in almost every part of the country earlier on Tuesday, which is the 29th day of the month of Shaban and thereby signified Wednesday as the first day of Ramadan 1447.

In a message, the Sultan called on the entire Muslim communities in the country to start fasting in accordance with the teachings of Islam. He then called on the Muslims across the country to use the month of Ramadan to continue to pray for the leaders of the country and also to curb the insecurity situations afflicting the nation.

Pope Leo XIV, the Catholic pontiff, for his part, urged Christians across the world to abstain from words that offend and hurt others as the Lenten season begins. In his 2026 Lenten message posted on the Vatican website, the pope described refraining from hurtful language as a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence.

In addition, Pope Leo XIV said the liturgical season offers an opportunity to place the mystery of God at the centre of life. He explained that every journey of conversion begins by allowing God’s word to touch the heart, leading to renewed commitment to follow Christ in His passion, death and resurrection.

“In the midst of the many voices present in our personal lives and in society, sacred scripture helps us to recognise and respond to the cry of those who are anguished and suffering. Precisely because it involves the body, fasting makes it easier to recognise what we hunger for and what we deem necessary for our sustenance,” the pope added.

He, however, cautioned that fasting must be done in faith and humility, warning against practices that could lead to pride. Pope Leo XIV also called on Christians to cultivate kindness and respect in their families, workplaces, parishes, on social media and in political debates.