An unusual overlap in religious calendars will see Muslims and Christians begin their respective fasting seasons on the same day this year, a convergence church leaders describe as an opportunity to deepen dialogue and solidarity.
Ramadan and Lent both commenced on February 18, a rare alignment brought about by differences between the solar-based Gregorian calendar used by most Christians and the lunar-based Hijri calendar followed by Muslims.
Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy called on faith communities to look beyond religious distinctions and affirm their shared humanity, emphasizing that believers of different traditions carry the same dignity and responsibility toward one another.
“Whether we are Christians or Muslims, Catholics or Protestants, or belong to any other faith tradition, we share one fundamental truth: we are brothers and sisters in our common humanity,” Uy said.
Lent, observed by Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestant denominations, spans about 40 days of prayer, fasting, reflection, and charitable works in preparation for Easter.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is marked by fasting from dawn to sunset, intensified prayer, and acts of charity, commemorating the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.
Uy said authentic faith does not breed division but directs believers toward compassion, respect, and care for others.
He urged the faithful to build bridges, uphold human dignity, and respond to conflict with understanding instead of prejudice.
“This is why promoting peace is not optional for believers — it is part of our calling,” he said.
He added that peace flourishes when communities choose dialogue over suspicion and cooperation over rivalry, and when they prioritize the needs of the poor, the suffering, and the vulnerable.
Religion, he said, fulfills its purpose when it heals rather than deepens divisions.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) likewise highlighted the significance of the shared observance, describing it as a rare chance for Muslims and Christians to strengthen interfaith solidarity.
Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Inter-Religious Dialogue, said the parallel seasons invite believers to combine prayer and repentance with concrete efforts for peace, justice, and environmental stewardship.
He stressed that faith must shape not only personal devotion but also social responsibility, noting that fasting, generosity, and compassion for the poor are central to both Lent and Ramadan.
Bagaforo also cautioned that environmental degradation undermines peace, pointing out that harm to forests, water sources, and land reflects fractured relationships among people and with creation.
He urged interreligious groups and civil society to collaborate, saying lasting peace is built not through fear or force but through trust, justice, dialogue, and shared responsibility.
