Ramadan and Lent unite Lower Saxony in reflection and community spirit
This year, the holy month of Ramadan begins on February 19 and ends on March 19, 2026, followed by the three-day festival of Eid al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast or Sugar Feast. Today also marks the start of the Christian Lenten season leading up to Easter. Minister-President Olaf Lies and Deniz Kurku, the State Commissioner for Migration and Participation, extend their warmest wishes to all Muslims and Christians in Lower Saxony for a blessed and peaceful period of fasting—a time of community, reflection, and compassion.
"Ramadan is a time for contemplation, prayer, and togetherness," said Minister-President Olaf Lies. "Many people in our state use these weeks to pause, practice solidarity, and advocate for peaceful coexistence. Every evening, countless Muslims invite friends and neighbors to share in iftar, the meal breaking the fast, where hospitality, fellowship, and generosity take center stage. It is about being there for one another, about compassion and mutual support—values that matter for all of us and for the fabric of our society. We need more appreciation and empathy, and less dismissive indifference. This year, the Protestant Church has also placed special emphasis on this message, adopting the Lenten theme 'With Feeling! Seven Weeks Without Hardness.' I wish all Christians a blessed Lenten season and all Muslims in Lower Saxony a blessed Ramadan and a joyful Eid. Ramadan Mubarak!"
State Commissioner Deniz Kurku affirmed: "Ramadan underscores the importance of unity in our diverse society. For decades, Muslims have actively shaped life in Lower Saxony and are an integral part of our shared identity. Together, we stand for a Lower Saxony that embraces diversity as a strength and lives respect in everyday life. I wish everyone a blessed and peaceful fasting period."
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