London Mayor Sadiq Khan celebrates Ramadan at official West End lights switch-on

The Mayor of London celebrated Ramadan at an official lights switch-on within the West End.

Sadiq Khan‘s X account this morning posted a video of the previous Tooting MP pushing the button for a second 12 months on Thursday, with a crowd having gathered behind him. The submit stated: “Ramadan Lights are on! Fantastic to see so many Londoners and visitors welcome the return of this spectacular display to the West End. I was honoured to be invited to be part of the switch on for a second year.”

The clip additionally features a montage of footage of the lights across the metropolis centre. British actor Adil Ray and Rahima Aziz, from the Aziz Foundation, additionally attended the switching-on. According to Discover Leicester Square, over 30,000 lights will illuminate the evening sky between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square from March 7 to April 16.

It stated: “London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, along with special guests, kicked off the festivities by attending the switch-on event to mark the start of Ramadan Presented by the Aziz Foundation, these lights shining throughout Ramadan display ‘Happy Ramadan’ and will change messaging to also mark Eid festivities at the end of the month to ‘Happy Eid’, making it the first major light display in Europe to honour Eid al Fitr.

“The set up, named ‘Sundial’, is impressed by the transition from daybreak to nightfall throughout Ramadan. It represents the fasting expertise with radiant suns and moons, forming a visible timepiece. The design options lovely geometric patterns and hanging stars, paying homage to Islamic artwork. Head over to Leicester Square and expertise the magic of London’s Ramadan Lights.”

The mission was based by Aisha Desai and Ramadan Lights UK, with this 12 months’s lights organised and funded by the Aziz Foundation. Ms Desai, founding father of Ramadan Lights, stated the mission has given British Muslims a way of belonging. “It is really powerful,” she stated, reviews The National. She added that many non-Muslims have gotten extra inquisitive about Ramadan. “It’s spreading consciousness in such a pleasant method by way of artwork and lightweight set up,” she stated.

“It was the concept got here from me however I encourage Muslims and folks from different faiths to proceed on and do it.” Ms Desai has overseen the growth of the central London celebrations from the original crowdfunded beginnings to the ‘Happy Ramadan’ light installation in North London over four years.

The concept has spread across Europe, including the first such light display in Cologne, Germany. She said: “This is what it is all about, getting other communities in other places involved so they can do it for themselves. The sky’s the limit and you can do whatever you want to do as long as you put your mind to it and just go for it.”