London Mayor Sadiq Khan turned on the lights in the British capital on Thursday night to commemorate Ramadan.
British actor Adil Ray and Rahima Aziz of the Aziz Foundation also attended the lighting ceremony, which graced Coventry Street near Piccadilly Circus.
It will be lit every night for about 30 nights until Eid al-Fitr in April.
This year’s new light display features an Islamic design and an illuminated sign wishing passersby a “Happy Ramadan.”
Thursday’s event marked the second year that central London has been illuminated with spectacular lights during the Islamic holy month.
The light-up is organized by Ramadan Lights UK and fully funded by the Aziz Foundation.
Ramadan Lights founder Aisha Desai feels the project has given British Muslims a sense of belonging.
“It’s really powerful,” she said.
“Many non-Muslims now stop looking outwardly Muslim and ask, What is Ramadan? What does this mean?
“Through art and light installations, we are spreading awareness in a wonderful way.
“This is an idea that came from me, but I encourage Muslims and people of other religions to continue and implement it.”
Ramadan lights turn on in London – in photos
Ms Desai has grown the central London celebration from humble beginnings four years ago when she crowdfunded a ‘Happy Ramadan’ light installation in north London.
Her concept spread across Europe as “an incredible group of women lit up Cologne for the first time.”
“Lights are also on outside city halls in Frankfurt and Oslo,” she added.
“This is about getting other communities in other places involved to do it for themselves.
“The sky is the limit and you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it. You just have to go for it,” she says.
Desai said the event’s success was “very unexpected and in a really beautiful way.”
Updated: March 8, 2024, 12:23 AM