“To our Christian community, may this Lenten season renew your faith, deepen your compassion, and strengthen your hope. To the Muslim Ummah, may your fasting, prayers, and charity bring you closer to Allah and fill your homes with peace, blessings, and elevated Imaan.”
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar opened her national message with those greetings as Christians began Lent and Muslims entered Ramadan 2026 on the same day.
Persad-Bissessar quoted Isaiah 58:6 from the Holy Bible and Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183 from the Holy Qur’an, stating that fasting is tied to justice and righteousness.
She said Lent is a forty-day period of prayer, fasting and repentance leading to Easter and cited Psalm 51:10 on renewal of heart and spirit.
On Ramadan, she said the month centres on fasting, prayer and charity and referenced Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185 on gratitude and devotion to Allah.
Persad-Bissessar said both observances call for reflection, discipline, compassion and charity, and stated that fasting is linked to change in conduct and support for the vulnerable.
She noted that citizens are gathering in churches and mosques across Trinidad and Tobago and said protective forces and national security agencies have implemented measures to allow safe participation.
Persad-Bissessar called for unity, respect and shared humanity as the country marks the religious observances.