Ramadan and Rosh Hashanah

Is it pure coincidence or a quirk of timing? On September 12 the holiest Islam holiday, Ramadan, and the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, both begin.

These two holidays are based on the lunar calendar. For Muslims, months begin when the crescent of a new moon is in sight; therefore, their holiday period can fall on different days depending of the year. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, or the Gregorian calendar, Ramadan advances a few days every year and can actually fall in every month or season. Coincidently, the Hebrew calendar begins at sundown; Rosh Hashanah extends over the first two days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei and it can fall in either September or October.

Rosh Hashanah is literally translated to "head of the year." It is a Jewish religious period that signifies both "The Day of Judgment," "The Day of Shofar Blowing," and "The Day of Remembrance." It is a time to settle debts, forgive and be forgiven and gather with family to celebrate endings and beginnings. This year the Jewish celebrate the beginning of the year 5768. It is such an important holiday that in Israel Rosh Hashanah is the only holiday observed for 2 days, with both day considered one long day of 48 hours.

Similarly to the Christian New Year, where many people choose to plan for the next year and make resolutions, the Jewish New Year is a time of introspection, remedy of past mistakes and of planning for new beginnings.

According to Muslim tradition, Ramadan celebrates the revelation of the Qur'an, Islamic scripture, to Muhammad. The word Ramadan is derived from an Arabic word that represents intense heat, scorched ground, and shortness of rations. During this time, the most venerated and blessed month of the Islamic year; prayers, charity and self-accountability are stressed. Additionally, Muslims are called to deepen their faith by fasting from food, drinks and pleasures.

The Jewish High Holiday period ends September 22 with Yom Kippur, a day of fasting and atonement. Ramadan ends on October 12 with Eid el Fitr, a day filled with festive celebrations marked with family, food and gift exchanges.