The Vatican has extended a message of solidarity to Muslims observing Ramadan, drawing parallels between the Islamic holy month and the Christian season of Lent. Both periods are marked by fasting, prayer, and acts of charity, offering a unique opportunity for Muslims and Christians to walk side by side in a shared journey of spiritual purification and renewal.
In 2025, Ramadan spans from February 28 to March 29, while Lent began on March 5 and concludes on April 17. This overlap in the religious calendars provides a special moment for interfaith dialogue and mutual support. The Vatican's Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, led by its new prefect Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, emphasized the importance of fraternity and genuine dialogue in a world that often seeks to build walls of exclusion.
The message highlights the shared values of justice, compassion, and respect for creation that both faiths uphold. It calls for these values to guide actions and relationships, fostering a future built on fraternity rather than division.
The Vatican's message underscores that both Ramadan and Lent are times of inner transformation, where believers are invited to deepen their faith and refocus on their spiritual lives. For Muslims, fasting during Ramadan is a way to control desires and cultivate piety, while for Christians, Lent is a period of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving aimed at purifying the heart and drawing closer to God.
Cardinal Koovakad's message also addresses the broader societal implications of these spiritual practices. He stresses that faith should not be confined to personal devotion but should inspire efforts towards unity and reconciliation in a world marked by injustice and conflict. The Vatican calls on Christians and Muslims to reject all forms of violence, discrimination, and exclusion, and to work together to show that faith can transform both individuals and societies.
The message concludes with a hopeful vision of what Christians and Muslims can achieve together. It encourages both communities to be voices against injustice and indifference, and to celebrate their shared humanity through acts of solidarity and peace. As Ramadan and Lent coincide, the Vatican sees this as a privileged opportunity to demonstrate that faith is a powerful force for good, capable of bridging divides and fostering a more just and compassionate world.
We stand for peace among nations and peoples and for the preservation of our common home.
Rev Dr Patrick McInerney, Director, Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations.
