BU Chaplains Panel to Discuss Fasting for Lent and Ramadan

Christian and Islamic seasons begin a day apart this year, with fasting a ritual of both

Jan. 29, 2026 at 5:39pm

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A panel of Boston University chaplains will discuss the ritual of food restriction and its role in spirituality, as the Christian season of Lent and the Islamic month of Ramadan both begin in mid-February this year. The event, sponsored by Marsh Chapel and BU's Institute on Culture, Religion & World Affairs (CURA), is open to the public and will be held on February 2.

Why it matters

Fasting is a core practice across many religious traditions, and this event provides an opportunity for the BU community to learn about the shared elements and differences in how fasting is observed in the Abrahamic faiths of Christianity and Islam. It also serves as a prelude to CURA's upcoming conference on the Jewish Left, exploring themes of collective liberation.

The details

The panel discussion, titled "Fasting and Spirituality: A Conversation with BU Chaplains", will feature representatives from the Christian, Islamic, and Jewish faiths. During the Lenten season, many Christians fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, while some fast every weekday. Ramadan is Islam's monthlong period of daylight fasting and spiritual growth, commemorating the Prophet Mohammed's receiving of the Quran. The event aims to highlight the commonalities and distinctions in how these religious traditions approach the practice of fasting.

  • Ramadan begins the evening of February 17.
  • Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, is on February 18.
  • Easter falls on April 5 for Western Christian churches and April 12 for Orthodox churches.

The players

Rev. Jessica Chicka

University chaplain for international students and the panel moderator.

Rabbi Rav Micha Stettini

One of the panelists.

Sister Naureen Mallick

Associate Muslim chaplain and one of the panelists.

Rev. Kevin Staley-Joyce

Director of the BU Catholic Center and one of the panelists.

Rev. Philip Halikias

Chief compliance officer of Brookline's Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and one of the panelists.

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What they’re saying

“The goal of the Fasting and Spirituality Panel is to provide a new opportunity for interfaith learning for the campus community.”

— Rev. Jessica Chicka, University chaplain for international students (bu.edu)

“Fasting is a core practice across religious traditions, and the event is a wonderful opportunity for the BU community to connect to each other and to a transcendent set of values.”

— Jeremy Menchik, CURA's director and a Pardee School of Global Studies associate professor of international relations and of political science (bu.edu)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This event highlights the shared practice of fasting across the Abrahamic faiths, providing an opportunity for the BU community to learn about the spiritual significance and nuances of this ritual in Christianity and Islam. It also serves as a bridge to further interfaith dialogue and understanding on campus.