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'Opportunities to Learn': Religious Holiday Overlap Encourages Cultural Exchange
The rare overlap encourages interfaith dialogue and cultural exchange as communities find shared values in fasting and reflection, a once-in-163-year event, experts say.
- On Wednesday, Ash Wednesday marked the start of Lent, a 40-day period that overlaps this year with Ramadan, a month of fasting in Islam.
- Faith leaders argue the overlap creates a chance to learn about each other, noting both traditions share reflection, willful suffering and fasting, which fosters common ground.
- Renee Franklin said, `They do that to recognize there's suffering in the world and recognize how great have it`, and emphasized `We can have interfaith dialogues`,
- Samuella Assi, a local resident, said, `Today I was like, 'You know what? Maybe I should just go to mass and see how it feels, how much I like it,'` after never attending Catholic mass before Wednesday.
- Historically, the overlap is rare as the two months haven't coincided since 1863 and won't again until 2189, making this a once-in-a-lifetime event.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Connecticut communities celebrate Ramadan, Lent and Lunar New Year
Thousands across our state and the world are celebrating this week, as they mark religious and cultural holidays. Ramadan, Lent, and Lunar New Year converge this week, a rare occurrence since the three holidays follow different lunar calendars. Despite the differences, each holiday centers on renewal and new beginnings. Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, a 40-day period of...
Wednesday Kicks Off Holy Celebrations of Lent, Ramadan
Yannick Peterhans (left) and Julian Leshay ~ USA TODAY NETWORK PODCASTS: Feb. 18, 2026 ~ Lloyd Jackson and Jamie Edmonds welcome Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi. He explains why Ramadan is a month of spiritual reconnection and a time for inner peace. It promotes patience and generosity.Both Lent and Ramadan began on Wednesday, kicking off weeks-long celebrations and religious observances for the most important parts of the year for Catholics an…
This year the Christian Lent and Ramadan begin on Ash Wednesday (18 February) – a rarity!
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