2026 brought a rare and beautiful moment to London: Lent, Ramadan, and the Lunar New Year all overlapped for the first time since, we are told from a surface-level internet search, 1863! For a few days in February, the city was alive with celebration, reflection, and spiritual devotion. Streets shimmered with festive lights, homes filled with the aroma of special meals, and communities gathered in prayer and joy. For some, it was the start of a new year; for others, a sacred time of fasting and contemplation. The city’s energy was palpable, weaving together the threads of diverse traditions and beliefs.
As a Muslim, the beginning of Ramadan felt especially meaningful this year. The lunar calendar aligned with the school half-term, giving my children the chance to fully embrace the spirit of the month of Ramadan. Our home sparkled with decorations that they put up, and the excitement of sighting the crescent moon filled our home, marking the start of the month of Ramadan. Each evening, we gathered with friends and family to break our fast with a date and other delicious food, sharing thoughts and reflection on our day before heading to the mosque for taraweeh, the night prayers. Ramadan’s rhythm – prayer, Qur’an recitation, charity, and togetherness – drew us closer as a family and as part of a vibrant diverse community.
This half-term was a whirlwind of cultural experiences for my children. Pancakes on Shrove Tuesday were a must, and the city’s dazzling Chinese New Year festivities captivated them. London’s streets came alive with colour, music, and joy, reminding us of the city’s extraordinary diversity and the richness of its modern cultural life. These moments were more than just celebrations – they were lessons in inclusion and the beauty of beliefs and traditions.
Our Ramadan began on Wednesday, 18 February. For 29 or 30 days, we will rise before dawn for suhoor, sharing quiet moments over breakfast at around 5:30am. The day unfolds in anticipation, with hunger and thirst building until sunset whilst observing religious acts such as prayer and the recitation of the Qur’an, when we come together again to break our fast. These mealtimes are special – they are opportunities to reflect, reconnect, and appreciate the blessings of provisions, safety, security, family and friendship. Ramadan will culminate in Eid-al-Fitr, a joyous three-day festival filled with prayers, gifts, feasts, and the compulsory giving of aid to those in need to celebrate Eid. The exact date of Eid-al-Fitr depends on the sighting of the next crescent moon, adding a sense of wonder and anticipation to the celebrations.
Lent, as I see it, which began on Ash Wednesday (18 February), is a parallel journey of prayer, fasting, and repentance, leading up to Easter. It’s a time for spiritual renewal, often marked by giving up of luxuries and practicing self-discipline. Meanwhile, the Chinese Lunar New Year brings families together for reunion dinners, honouring ancestors and celebrating new beginnings with foods that symbolize prosperity and gratitude.
What Ramadan means to me
Fasting is not just a physical challenge – it’s a deeply spiritual experience. The moments of fatigue and thirst become opportunities for reflection, gratitude, and empathy. Each pang of hunger reminds me of those who face hardship daily, whose struggles do not end with the setting sun. Those in need regardless of background and faith, will not be forgotten in my prayers. Ramadan teaches humility and compassion, urging us to look beyond ourselves and extend kindness to others.
This year, the convergence of traditions has revealed how much we share across faiths and beliefs – the willingness to refrain, the pursuit of self-improvement, and the joy of coming together. To celebrate this unity, my sister and I will be hosting an iftar for around 100 people from all backgrounds on 28 February, inviting everyone to break the fast and pray the sunset prayer together at my local church. It’s a powerful reminder that, despite our differences, we are united by hope, generosity, and the desire to build a more compassionate world.
