BY: CHRISTOPHER FERNANDEZ

Simultaneously, while Muslims are observing the Holy month of Ramadan, Christians on February 18, 2026 marked Ash Wednesday in preparation for the Lenten season which will culminate with the celebration of Easter.

Similar in nature to Islamic practices during the month of Ramadan, Christians will perform prayers, penance, almsgiving and other practices during Lent as a way of building and strengthening their relationship with God.

This means both Muslims and Christians are on track in search of peace, joy and love and it is hoped that other Malaysians from different faiths will consent to share the practices of their own faiths and beliefs during this time.

Lent as Christians view it is a period also where an individual soul does soul searching and goes into contemplation and meditation to enable them to connect closely with God and affirm their faith and belief.

While there is the involvement of sacrifice, it is necessary to sustain and augment their faith in God and be led through ‘a wilderness experience’ before emerging stronger and wiser to be better people who are renewed in hope.

Needless to say, those who go through this season of Lent are actually purifying themselves and causing a purge of their iniquities in order to be more Godly and therefore of use and service to humankind all over the world.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher