(TSN): Easter and Ramadan crossed paths.in the month of March this year and are both holidays that do not occur on a stagnate date -- neither does Passover. Have you ever wondered why this happens or if there are parallels in the three religions such as similarities in the origin of Christianity, Judaism and Islam? Their sacred observances come from vastly different customs and history.
Jews celebrate Passover with respect to the liberation of slaves in Egypt.
Muslims commemorate Ramadan observing Muhammad's first revelation.
But there is one major similarity that has been well calculated for centuries -- establishing the date according to the presence of the moon.
Easter is observed on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox.
Passover always starts on the full moon of the Hebrew month of Nissan. Easter and Passover can not coincide for religious reasons dating back centuries.
In Islam, the month of Ramadan is set based on the first sighting of the crescent moon. However,
Christians use the Gregorian calendar while Muslims use the Lunar calendar which differ by almost 10 days. The Lunar calendar is based on the phases of the moon. (Lunar calendars typically have between 354 and 355 days.) The Gregorian Calendar is based on the solar year or how many times the earth rotates around rTHE sun in a year.) Jews the lunisolar calendar taking into consideration the sun and moon. Therefore, because they depend on the activity of the moon or sun rather than a calender year the date is not fixed.
Are Easter and Ramadan related?
Ultimately, the abstinence Christians practice during Lent is unrelated to the the Muslim fast during Ramadan. The two holidays will inevitably be around the same time sometimes.
Scientist Neil Degrass Tyson gave a clear explanation about why Easter is not on the same date each year.