There are ordinary weeks. And then there are those when the stars, moons, and traditions all seem to align. From the night of February 17 to 18, 2026, the Lunar New Year, Ramadan, and Lent will begin within less than 24 hours of each other. An unprecedented coincidence since 1863—and one that won't happen again until 2189, in 163 years.
In Asia and among the diaspora, the Lunar New Year signifies the beginning of a new cycle marked by family reunions, hearty feasts, and the passing down of traditions. Family remains at the heart of the celebrations, with the transition from one year to the next serving as a bridge between generations.
In a different context but with a comparable spiritual intensity, Ramadan— the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar — calls on Muslims to observe fasting from dawn until sunset, to deepen their prayers, and to foster community and solidarity. The Lenten season, observed by Catholics and many Christians, marks forty days of spiritual preparation for Easter, characterized by prayer, fasting, and acts of charity.
This week, billions of people around the world will begin a significant spiritual period, almost simultaneously, each according to their faith and culture.
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