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The lively of Ramadan, lights with Islamic nuances decorate the streets of London, England. Photo/The New Arab
LONDON – Islamic lights illuminate one of the most famous areas in the capital English , London , on Tuesday night welcoming the holy month of Ramadan. The beauty of these Islamic lights will last throughout the month of Ramadan at Piccadilly Circus.
The lights were turned on by the Mayor of London who is a Muslim, Sadiq Khan. He said it was the first time a European city had celebrated the Islamic holy month in this way.
Muslims in Britain also welcomed this on Twitter. They say the lights convey a sense of joy and solidarity while allowing people across the UK to join in the celebrations.
The installation of the lights by Ramadan Lights UK features 30,000 continuous lights depicting the phases of the moon. The Islamic calendar – and thus the dates for which the month of Ramadan falls – is based on the cycles of the moon.
“This is a holy month for Muslims. And there are so many of us in this country, so we have to be represented… we live in a really amazing city London is so… multicultural,” Aisha Desai, founder of Ramadan Lights UK told The New Arab.
“I think it’s very important for me as a young Muslim woman to inspire other young Muslims, and non-Muslims, to know that the sky is limitless. We can do whatever we want to do, as long as we persevere,” she added. from The New Arab, Friday (24/3/2023).
Desai believes that initiatives like Ramadan Lights UK will help fight Islamophobia and raise awareness of Muslim traditions, beliefs and cultural practices.
“It’s a beautiful message to say like, we see you. You are here and…this is your home. Whatever your background, this is your other home,” said Soukaina Ichanti, who visited the installation, to The New Arabs.
“We saw the Christmas lights and saw the Ramadan lights too, it’s just a beautiful message that we have to live side by side regardless of our differences or beliefs,” he added.
