THE WORLD OF FAITH
March 2026
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF FAITH
By Catherine Carter MDiv, PhD
Three-quarters of the world’s people identify as religious. Religion has always been, and continues to be, a major influence on the world’s culture, conflicts, and daily life.
This is a new section for Mirehaven News and the stories here will discuss aspects of religion in New Mexico and around the world, from beliefs to worship places and styles and from art to music to literature and philosophy. The influence of religion on the daily lives of adherents and its influence on government, political and social leaders and international relations will also be examined.
The hope is that by beginning to understand the beliefs of a variety of the world’s citizenry, a new camaraderie among all the people of every country will develop.
SEASONS OF FAITH: RAMADAN AND LENT
By Catherine Carter MDiv, PhD
February 18, 2026. In an unusual occurrence, the beginning of Ramadan for Muslims and Lent for Christians, starting with Ash Wednesday, both happened today. These days are observed by the world-wide community of adherents to the two religions. Ramadan lasts for 30 days while Lent lasts for 40 days. Understanding the importance and impact of these seasons on half the world’s population allows those of differing beliefs to appreciate the importance of the seasons to the religious people of the world.
RAMADAN
The first sighting of the crescent moon signifies the beginning of Ramadan. This is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and one of the most sacred periods for more than 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. It is a time of “fasting, intensified worship, ethical discipline, and spiritual renewal." The Qur’an defines fasting as one of the five Pillars of Islamic Practice and it has been observed for more than fourteen centuries. In addition to abstaining from food and water during daylight hours "heightened prayer, Qur’an recitation, charitable giving, community solidarity and conscious self-restraint” are part of the month’s practices.
Ramadan commemorates the beginning of the revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Mohammed. At its core, "Ramadan is about moral elevation and spiritual recalibration.” It is not just a ritual but a time of spiritual and ethical renewal for Muslims around the world.
(Source: www.halaltmes.com.)
LENT
Like Ramadan Lent is a time of penitence and renewal. It is a period marked on the Liturgical calendar and for Christians it is a period of reflection and preparation for the celebration of Easter, the day on which Christians believe Jesus was resurrected from the dead.
Lent emulates the time Jesus spent in the wilderness fasting and being tempted by Satan as described in the Bible in Luke 4. It is a time of prayer, fasting, and charitable giving. The observance of the period ends at sundown on Holy Thursday, the night before Good Friday.
The observance of Lent was formalized during the First Council of Nicaea in 225 CE. Originally, serious sinners were required to wear sackcloth and be covered with ashes until they were restored to full membership in the community. By the 9th century it became the practice for all Christians to be marked with ashes in the form of a cross on their foreheads on the first of day of Lent. This day because known as Ash Wednesday.
(Sources: www.britannica.com, www.christianity.com)