London’s first ever Ramadan lights

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, recently switched on the city’s Ramadan lights to mark the start of the holy month for Muslims. With the installation of 30,000 sustainable lights, which is the first in Europe. This will illuminate Piccadilly Circus to welcome the holy Month of Ramadan.

The Ramadan lights are a symbol of the Muslim community’s presence in London and serve as a reminder of the importance of the holy month. They are part of a wider effort by the Mayor’s office to promote diversity and inclusivity in the city.

In his speech at the event, Sadiq Khan emphasised the importance of Ramadan and the values it represents, such as compassion, generosity, and community. He also praised the contributions of the Muslim community to London’s rich cultural heritage and encouraged people to come together to celebrate the city’s diversity.

The initiative was led by a non-profit organisation Ramadan Lights UK. The display was set up through public donations, the founder of the organisation, Aisha Desai, said:“As a child, a trip into central London to see the festive lights was an annual treat. As a proud Muslim, I wanted to bring some of that magic to my community and three years ago, that journey began with Ramadan Lights. And our generous donors have helped us go from strength to strength.”

The switching on of the Ramadan lights is an important moment for Muslims in London, as it signals the start of a period of fasting, prayer, and reflection. It also highlights the city’s commitment to promoting diversity and understanding between different communities, and serves as a reminder of the power of coming together to celebrate our differences.