Piccadilly Circus has as soon as once more been lit up by an set up to mark Ramadan.
It’s the third yr of the annual show, which options 30,000 LED bulbs within the form of Islamic geometric patterns and symbols hanging over the West Finish road.
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 Basis, which sponsors the set up.
The inauguration of the Ramadan Lights in 2023 marked the primary time a western European metropolis made such a grand gesture for the Islamic competition. Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadan all over the world by abstaining from foods and drinks for 30 days throughout daylight, as a way of celebrating and reflecting on their religion. After sundown, the fast-breaking meal iftar is taken.
This yr’s lights function some new additions, together with a ground-level interactive set up in Leicester Sq. and a halal-friendly iftar path, made up of native eating spots comparable to LSQ Rooftop at Resort Indigo and Farzi London, providing Ramadan specials.
“I keep in mind once I was little, my mum and pa would deliver me to see the Christmas lights at West Finish,” Khan stated. “In the event you had advised me all these years in the past that, inside my lifetime, we might have lights in London celebrating Ramadan like we do Christmas, I wouldn’t have believed you.”
Aziz stated: “It hits me with new pleasure yearly. For me, the lights symbolise being part of this metropolis that I’ve at all times referred to as residence. It symbolises being a British Muslim. It’s about unity.”
In line with Aziz, the show is meant to be loved by all, no matter religion or background. “Take pleasure in it the way in which that I get pleasure from Christmas lights,” she says. “It’s festive. It’s a tremendous time of yr. It should deliver a number of financial worth to native companies within the space, however there’s additionally an academic ingredient to it. In the event you don’t know what Ramadan is and also you’d like to seek out out extra, that is the time.”
The switch-on occasion additionally included a lantern parade round Piccadilly Gardens with the lord mayor of Westminster, Robert Rigby, alongside kids from WAW Inventive Arts, a inventive arts college designed for Muslim youth.
“Westminster is a really various metropolis and the Muslim group is a vital a part of it,” stated Rigby. “With Ramadan beginning on Friday, it’s great to be part of that course of.”
“That is such a monumental second,” says WAW’s founder, Nusaiba Mohammad Timol, who grew up in Saudi Arabia. “After I first moved right here, I didn’t really feel the thrill, however to know that we’re really making steps to incorporate Muslims and rejoice Ramadan on this approach is so particular.
“We’ve been seeing non-Muslims strolling round, taking photos – that is what it’s about. It’s a dialog starter. Ramadan isn’t only for Muslims. We, as Muslims, don’t simply rejoice it with our group. Our mosques and our houses are open for everybody to share an iftar with us or study what the religion is about.”
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Final week, Inform Mama, a UK-wide mission monitoring anti-Muslim hate, reported its best rise within the variety of Islamophic hate circumstances since its founding in 2011.
“At a time when there’s a lot ignorance and prejudice, we’re displaying the world that we don’t simply stand robust towards hatred. We’re additionally shining a lightweight for hope,” stated Khan. “[The lights] assist us Muslims bust any myths about our faith.”
Aziz added: “The place there may be hate, there’ll at all times be individuals spreading the sunshine. In instances when Muslims are both being represented negatively or there’s a whole lot of hatred towards them, you need to discover these areas to create positivity. We’re a large group. Our essential worth is charity, and I feel it’s time individuals took notice of that.”
The Ramadan lights can be in place till 30 March, after which the “Blissful Ramadan” signal will remodel to say “Blissful Eid” and stay lit till 6 April.
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