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Piccadilly Circus has once again been lit up by an installation to mark Ramadan.
It is the third year of the annual display, which features 30,000 LED bulbs in the shape of Islamic geometric patterns and symbols hanging over the West End street.
The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, led the opening celebrations on Wednesday, and was joined by the actor and Good Morning Britain presenter Adil Ray, the presenter Yasser Ranjha and Rahima Aziz, a trustee of the Aziz Foundation, which sponsors the installation.
The inauguration of the Ramadan Lights in 2023 marked the first time a western European city made such a grand gesture for the Islamic festival. Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadan around the world by abstaining from food and drink for 30 days during daylight hours, as a means of celebrating and reflecting on their faith. After sunset, the fast-breaking meal iftar is taken.
This year’s lights feature some new additions, including a ground-level interactive installation in Leicester Square and a halal-friendly iftar trail, made up of local dining spots such as LSQ Rooftop at Hotel Indigo and Farzi London, offering Ramadan specials.
“I remember when I was little, my mum and dad would bring me to see the Christmas lights at West End,” Khan said. “If you had told me all those years ago that, within my lifetime, we would have lights in London celebrating Ramadan like we do Christmas, I wouldn’t have believed you.”
Aziz said: “It hits me with new excitement every year. For me, the lights symbolise being a part of this city that I’ve always called home. It symbolises being a British Muslim. It’s about unity.”
According to Aziz, the display is intended to be enjoyed by all, regardless of faith or background. “Enjoy it the way that I enjoy Christmas lights,” she says. “It’s festive. It’s an amazing time of year. It will bring lots of economic value to local businesses in the area, but there’s also an educational element to it. If you don’t know what Ramadan is and you’d like to find out more, this is the time.”
The switch-on event also included a lantern parade around Piccadilly Gardens with the lord mayor of Westminster, Robert Rigby, alongside children from WAW Creative Arts, a creative arts school designed for Muslim youth.
“Westminster is a very diverse city and the Muslim community is an important part of it,” said Rigby. “With Ramadan starting on Friday, it’s wonderful to be a part of that process.”
“This is such a monumental moment,” says WAW’s founder, Nusaiba Mohammad Timol, who grew up in Saudi Arabia. “When I first moved here, I didn’t feel the excitement, but to know that we’re actually making steps to include Muslims and celebrate Ramadan in this way is so special.
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“We’ve been seeing non-Muslims walking around, taking pictures – this is what it’s about. It’s a conversation starter. Ramadan isn’t just for Muslims. We, as Muslims, don’t just celebrate it with our community. Our mosques and our homes are open for everyone to share an iftar with us or learn what the faith is about.”
Last week, Tell Mama, a UK-wide project tracking anti-Muslim hate, reported its greatest rise in the number of Islamophic hate cases since its founding in 2011.
“At a time when there’s so much ignorance and prejudice, we’re showing the world that we don’t just stand strong against hatred. We’re also shining a light for hope,” said Khan. “[The lights] help us Muslims bust any myths about our religion.”
Aziz added: “Where there is hate, there will always be people spreading the light. In times when Muslims are either being represented negatively or there’s a lot of hatred against them, you have to find those spaces to create positivity. We are a massive community. Our main value is charity, and I think it’s time people took note of that.”
The Ramadan lights will be in place until 30 March, after which the “Happy Ramadan” sign will transform to say “Happy Eid” and remain lit until 6 April.
