Ramadan and Lent begin worldwide as Saudi Arabia confirms the crescent moon and Pope Leo XIV urges restraint and reflection

Millions of Muslims and Christians across the world began observing Ramadan and Lent on Wednesday, as Saudi Arabia confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon and Pope Leo XIV issued a solemn call to spiritual discipline at the start of the Lenten season.

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The dual observances mark significant periods of fasting, prayer and reflection in Islam and Christianity.

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday officially announced the sighting of the Hilal, signalling the start of Ramadan 1447.

With the confirmation, Taraweeh prayers were held after the Isha prayer on Tuesday night, ahead of the first fast at dawn on Wednesday.

A statement shared by the account @Muslim on X said Saudi authorities had declared Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of fasting, while advising believers to follow timings set by their local communities.

Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates commenced fasting at dawn on Wednesday.

However, Japan, Oman, Singapore and Turkey announced Thursday, February 19, as the first day of Ramadan.

In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, declared Wednesday as the first day of Ramadan following reports of moon sightings across the country.

The announcement was conveyed in a statement signed by Prof Sambo Wali Junaid, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs.

Sa’ad Abubakar urged Muslims nationwide to dedicate the month to prayer, national unity and efforts to curb insecurity.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, requires fasting from dawn to sunset and encourages charity, self-discipline and increased devotion.

Christians worldwide also commenced Lent, a 40 day period of prayer, penance and self denial leading to Easter Sunday. The season begins with Ash Wednesday.

In his 2026 Lenten Message published on the Vatican website, Pope Leo XIV urged Christians to abstain from hurtful language, describing it as a practical yet often overlooked form of fasting.

“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,” Pope Leo XIV said.

The Pontiff emphasised that fasting should cultivate humility and deepen a hunger for justice rather than foster pride.

He encouraged believers to practise restraint in families, workplaces, parishes and on social media, warning against harsh speech and rash judgement.

Pope Leo XIV said authentic relationships grow through attentive listening to God and to others, especially the poor and suffering.

He added that fasting should help Christians reorder their priorities and make space for hope and peace.

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The simultaneous start of Ramadan and Lent this year underscores a powerful moment of spiritual renewal for two of the world’s largest faith communities.