Ramadan and Lent 2026: A Shared Beginning for Interfaith Unity and Peace
This year marks a profound spiritual convergence as the holy month of Ramadan and the Christian Lenten Season, beginning with Ash Wednesday, commence together on February 18, 2026. This simultaneous start is described as a divine grace, offering a unique opportunity for Muslims and Christians in the Philippines and beyond to slow down, return to God, and walk together in faith. The shared observance invites reflection on common values and collective action toward peace and compassion.
Sacred Seasons of Prayer, Fasting, and Generosity
During these sacred periods, both faith communities enter a time dedicated to prayer, fasting, repentance, and acts of generosity. This spiritual discipline turns hearts toward the Merciful and fosters a renewed vision of seeing one another as brothers and sisters. Sacred texts from both traditions emphasize peace, with the Bible stating, "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9) and the Qur'an affirming that God "invites all to the Home of Peace" (Qur'an 10:25). In a world often marked by violence and division, this moment calls believers not only to pray for peace but to actively live and work for it through daily actions and community engagement.
Faith Transforming Hearts and Actions
Ramadan and Lent serve as powerful reminders that faith must transform the heart and shape tangible actions. Fasting opens eyes to the suffering of others and enlarges compassion, proving that love of God is demonstrated through love of neighbors, especially the poor and forgotten. As Jesus taught, what is done for the least is done for God (Matthew 25:40), while Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized that the best among people are those who do good for others. These teachings underscore a shared commitment to social justice and humanitarian care.
Peace as Right Relationship with God, Others, and Creation
Peace extends beyond the absence of war to encompass right relationships—with God, one another, and creation. Both faith traditions view the earth as a sacred trust. Pope Francis, in Laudato Si', highlights that the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor are interconnected, while the Qur'an teaches humanity's role as khalifa, or stewards of God's creation. When forests are destroyed, waters poisoned, or land abused, peace is broken, making environmental care an essential work of peace. This holistic approach integrates ecological responsibility with spiritual practice.
Fraternity and Social Friendship in the Philippine Context
In Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis speaks of human fraternity and social friendship, reminding that people are created to live together, not against one another, with no one meant to be excluded or left behind. This vision resonates deeply with Ramadan and Lent, where peace grows through mutual respect, dialogue replacing suspicion, and solidarity becoming a way of life. In the Philippines, this spirit is embodied in Alay Kapwa, a Lenten offering meaning "offering to one's neighbor." It transcends mere charity by viewing others as kapwa—shared humanity and future—transforming prayer into service and sacrifice into hope for communities affected by poverty, conflict, disaster, and ecological harm.
Building an Unarmed and Disarming Peace
Guided by Pope Leo's World Day of Peace message, "Towards an Unarmed and Disarming Peace," true peace is not built by weapons or fear but through trust, justice, dialogue, and shared responsibility. Peace must be patient, inclusive, and lived daily. Bishop Jose Colin M. Bagaforo, Chairman of the CBCP Commission on Inter-Religious Dialogue and Co-President of PAX Christi International, invites Christian and Muslim communities, interreligious dialogue desks, and civil society partners to pray and work together. Key actions include caring for the poor, protecting creation, educating for peace, and responding collectively to global wounds—all sacred tasks that constitute works of peace.
A Living Prayer Through Shared Observance
May this shared observance of Ramadan and Lent become a living prayer, expressed through fasting and generosity, and lived through fraternity, compassion, and care for our common home. As believers unite in these practices, they step forward as instruments of peace, guided by God, the Merciful and Compassionate. This interfaith journey not only strengthens community bonds but also addresses pressing social and environmental challenges, making faith a transformative force in the modern world.
