Millions of Muslims and Christians around the world are beginning observances of Ramadan and Lent today, marking periods of spiritual reflection, fasting, and devotion in their respective faiths.
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.
Christians observing Lent will also embark on a 40-day period of prayer, penance, and self-denial, leading up to Easter Sunday, with the observance of Ash Wednesday to commence the Lenten season.
Saudi Arabia on Tuesday officially announced the sighting of the crescent moon, marking the beginning of Ramadan 1447.
With the Hilal confirmed, the holy month of Ramadan begins on Wednesday, with Taraweeh prayers held after the Isha prayer on Tuesday night.
A post by @Muslim on X read, “BREAKING: Saudi Arabia announces the first day of fasting for Ramadan to begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Taraweeh will begin tonight on the first evening of the blessed month. It’s recommended to follow the fasting time designated by your local community and country.”
Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and some other parts of the world will begin their first day of fasting at dawn on Wednesday, ushering in a month dedicated to prayer, reflection and devotion.
In Japan, however, Ramadan 2026 will begin on Thursday, February 19.
Oman, Singapore and Turkey have also officially announced that Thursday, February 19, will mark the first day of Ramadan 2026.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, on Tuesday evening, 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.
The Sultan, according to a press statement made available to newsmen in Sokoto on Tuesday and signed by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Prof Sambo Wali Junaid, called on the entire Muslim communities in the country to start fasting on Wednesday in accordance with the teachings of Islam.
He said the council got information on the moon sighting from many Islamic leaders across the country, which he said signified the start of Ramadan fast on Wednesday.
He 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 in the country.
The Catholic pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, has, however, urged Christians across the world to abstain from words that offend and hurt others as the Lenten season begins.
In his 2026 Lenten Message released ahead of Ash Wednesday, and sighted on the Vatican website, the Pontiff described refraining from hurtful language as a “very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence.”
He said, “I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbour.”
As Christians mark the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, 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.
The Pope stressed the importance of listening, both to God and to others, noting that authentic relationships grow from attentiveness.
“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,” he said.
He added that Christians should cultivate inner openness, especially towards the poor, whose struggles challenge individuals, economic systems and even the church.
Highlighting the spiritual value of fasting, the Pontiff said it helps believers rediscover their deep desire for justice and frees them from complacency.
“Precisely because it involves the body, fasting makes it easier to recognise what we ‘hunger’ for and what we deem necessary for our sustenance,” he said.
He noted that fasting helps to properly order one’s appetites and keep alive the thirst for justice.
However, he cautioned that fasting must be done in faith and humility, warning against practices that could lead to pride.
Pope Leo XIV particularly underscored what he described as an under-appreciated form of fasting, that is, disarming one’s language.
“Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgment, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves,” he urged.
He called on Christians to cultivate kindness and respect in their families, workplaces, parishes, on social media and in political debates.
According to him, if believers embrace such discipline, words of hatred would “give way to words of hope and peace.”
The Pope also emphasised the communal dimension of Lent, encouraging parishes, families and religious communities to become places of listening and welcome, especially for those who suffer.
He concluded by praying that Christian communities would gain the strength to practise a form of fasting that extends to the use of language, creating greater space for the voices of others.
