Journalist-Tülay Çetinkaya Saraçoğlu, TWO CULTURES, TWO BELIEFS, FASTING IN THE SAME PERIOD

Main Sources: https://haber.dk/kulturler-ve-inanclar-oructa-bulusuyor/37632

COPENHAGEN – The Turkish community living in Denmark is used to living in an environment where different cultures and beliefs intertwine. But the year 2025 brings to light a rare aspect of this interaction. The Muslim month of Ramadan and the Christian period of Lent coincide. This means that the two major faith systems, with their different traditions, will fast during the same time period.

For Muslims, Ramadan is a special month in which self-discipline, spiritual purification and cooperation come to the fore through fasting. Ramadan, which began on Saturday, March 1, 2025, will end on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Then, Eid al-Fitr will begin on Monday, March 31, 2025.

In this special period, when fasting is obligatory in the Islamic world, worship increases and spiritual intensity occurs, Muslims will fast by having sahur before the morning call to prayer, that is, fasting from imsak time to sunset without eating or drinking anything, and they will break their fast with the evening call to prayer to break their fast. At the same time, this month is known for tarawih prayers in mosques, increased charity work and strengthening social unity.

In Christianity, the Great Fast (Lent) before Easter varies by faith and includes some rules. Catholics and Protestants will begin the fast on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, while Orthodox will join this process on Monday, March 3, 2025. Both denominations will celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 20, 2025.

Unlike the Muslim fast, Christian fasting does not require complete fasting throughout the day, but certain foods are avoided and mealtimes are restricted.

• Catholics and Protestants do not consume meat, especially on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
• People over the age of 14 do not eat meat on Fridays, but can consume fish.
• People between the ages of 18 and 59 can only eat one full meal on certain days, and must keep the other two meals light.
• In the Orthodox Church, the rules of Great Lent are much stricter:
• Meat, dairy products, eggs and most animal foods are completely prohibited.
• Some days, even olive oil and wine are not consumed.
• During weekdays, eating is usually limited to one meal.
• This period of fasting is considered a process of purification, spiritual discipline and sacrifice for Christians.
• In Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40-day fasting period (Lent) before Easter, especially in the Catholic and some Protestant churches. The name comes from the tradition in the church of drawing the sign of the cross on the foreheads of believers with ashes. These ashes are usually obtained from the previous year’s Easter candles and symbolize mortality, repentance and humility. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of a period of prayer, fasting and charity for Christians.
• Fasting in different faiths meets in the same calendar
• The year 2025 offers an important observation opportunity for Turks living in a multicultural country like Denmark. On one hand, Muslims will experience the spiritual atmosphere of Ramadan, while on the other hand, Christians will continue their fasts according to their own traditions. This once again reveals the importance of cultural diversity and mutual understanding.
• In Denmark, people of different faiths who work in the same workplace, live in the same neighborhood or go to the same school will witness each other’s worship and traditions more closely during this special period. This process can be an important opportunity to strengthen social harmony and increase respect for different cultures.
• As the month of Ramadan and the Great Lent meet on the same calendar in 2025, perhaps this will offer a unique experience in terms of understanding each other and sharing common values.
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