Kuala Lampur, Feb. 18 -- This week, lanterns are still hanging.

Red ones, gold ones, some slightly faded at the edges after a few days under the Malaysian sun. Mandarin oranges sit in bowls and boxes at office counters.

Ang pow packets peek out of handbags and shirt pockets. Lion dance and CNY videos are still making their rounds on WhatsApp.

And today, Ramadan begins.

In many countries, that overlap would demand explanation. It would invite commentary, perhaps even caution.

Here, it barely registers as unusual. Supermarkets rearrange shelves. Dates appear beside the snacks that were discounted after the festive rush. Someone somewhere buys pineapple tarts and kurma on the same trip.

It only struck me recently that this coincidence,...