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

09 March 2024 , 09:31

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Mayor of London Sadiq Khan speaks before the Ramadan Lights are ceremonially illuminated at London's famous Coventry Street in London (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

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

Sadiq Khan's X account this morning posted a video of the former Tooting MP pushing the button for a second year on Thursday, with a crowd having gathered behind him. The post said: "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 also includes a montage of footage of the lights around the city centre. British actor Adil Ray and Rahima Aziz, from the Aziz Foundation, also attended the switching-on. According to Discover Leicester Square, over 30,000 lights will illuminate the night sky between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square from March 7 to April 16.

The 'Happy Ramadan' display returns for its second year in the West End (Anadolu via Getty Images)

It said: "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 installation, named 'Sundial', is inspired by the transition from dawn to dusk during Ramadan. It represents the fasting experience with radiant suns and moons, forming a visual timepiece. The design features beautiful geometric patterns and hanging stars, paying homage to Islamic art. Head over to Leicester Square and experience the magic of London’s Ramadan Lights."

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The display is funded by the Aziz Foundation and founded by Aisha Desai and Ramadan Lights UK (Anadolu via Getty Images)

The project was founded by Aisha Desai and Ramadan Lights UK, with this year's lights organised and funded by the Aziz Foundation. Ms Desai, founder of Ramadan Lights, said the project has given British Muslims a sense of belonging. “It is really powerful,” she said, reports The National. She added that many non-Muslims are becoming more curious about Ramadan. “It's spreading awareness in such a nice way through art and light installation," she said.

"It was the idea that came from me but I encourage Muslims and people from other faiths to continue 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."

Ryan Merrifield