Originally posted by Caringheart

For my muslim friends who may not know but may be interested.

During the period known as lent certain followers of Jesus observe fasting and abstinence.

"The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer—through prayer, penance, repentance, almsgiving, and self-denial."

"During Lent, many of the faithful commit to fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries as a form of penitence. The Stations of the Cross, a devotional commemoration of Christ's carrying the Cross and of his execution, are often observed. Many Roman Catholic and some Protestant churches devoid their altars of candles, flowers, and other devotional offerings, while Crucifixes, religious statues, and other elaborate religious paraphernalia are often veiled in violet fabrics in solemn observance of this event. In certain pious Catholic countries, the consumption of meat is traditionally yet varyingly self-abstained by the faithful, while grand religious processions and cultural customs are observed, and the faithful attempt to visit seven churches during Holy Week in honor of Jesus Christ heading to Mount Calvary."

"Lent is traditionally described as lasting for forty days, in commemoration of the forty days which, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus spent fasting in the desert before the beginning of his public ministry, where he endured temptation by the Devil named Satan.  However, different Christian denominations calculate the "forty days" of Lent differently. In most Western traditions the Sundays are not counted as part of Lent; thus the period from Ash Wednesday until Easter consists of 40 days when the Sundays are excluded. However in the Roman Catholic Church Lent is now taken to end on Holy Thursday rather than Easter Eve, and hence lasts 38 days excluding Sundays, or 44 days in total.

This event, along with its pious customs are observed by Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Anglicans, as well as some Baptists and Mennonites"

More on fasting and abstinence during lent, here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent#Fasting_and_abstinence

The day known as Palm Sunday, during lent, marks Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem prior to His capture, presentation before Pontius Pilate, and crucifixion.  On the third day, following His crucifixion, it was fulfilled of what He had foretold of Himself and His tomb was found empty.