- Ramadan lights will shine brightly in central London from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. until March 29
- London was the first major European city to adorn its central streets with Ramadan lights
LONDON (Agencies): The UK’s capital, London, was illuminated with festive lights to celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan for the third consecutive year this week.
Mayor Sadiq Khan switched on over 30,000 LED bulbs to celebrate Ramadan, which is set to start on Friday evening, bringing joy to residents and curious tourists on Coventry Street, off London’s Piccadilly Circus.
The vibrant center of the British metropolis was illuminated with a sign that read “Happy Ramadan,” alongside shapes of stars and crescent moons. This festive display will shine brightly from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. until March 29. After that date, it will change to convey the message “Happy Eid,” which will be displayed until April 6.
For the residents of the Big Smoke, who have endured weeks of bitter cold and near-zero temperatures, Ramadan lights provided respite between Christmas and the anticipation of Easter.
Eric, a London resident, was enchanted by the interactive Ramadan lights in Leicester Square, near the Mary Poppins statue. He wanted to “learn more” about the Muslim holy month and celebrate the multicultural atmosphere of London. He was carrying a battery-operated cardboard lantern, a symbol of Ramadan since the Egyptians used it in the 10th century to brighten the path for the Muslim Caliph.
London was the first major European city to adorn its central streets with Ramadan lights, a trend later embraced by Frankfurt in 2024. This is the third year the Aziz Foundation has organized the fasting month lights, which has become part of the city’s calendar over the years alongside Hanukkah and Diwali.
Rahima Aziz BEM, a trustee at the Aziz Foundation, told media that the interactive Ramadan lights installation in Leicester Square is a new addition featuring the message “Spread the Light” that shines when pressed.
“This is our message for this year. We really want Muslims to feel involved in the whole process. You come to (London’s) West End not just to see the (Ramadan) lights but also to immerse yourself in the experience,” she said.
The crowd gathered on Coventry Street in the early evening to watch Khan switch on the lights.