Mayor of London Sadiq Khan gave the “go-ahead’ for the Ramadan lights to illuminate for the first time in one of the most important streets in the center of the British capital, to celebrate the advent of the holy month.
The mayor of the city attended a ceremony held in the infamous Piccadilly Square in the centre of the capital, where one of London’s most famous streets was lit, Coventry Street, which connects Piccadilly Square and Leicester Square, where the most famous entertainment venues are located. Officials at the London Mayor’s office said that the lights will remain on throughout the holy month of Ramadan and until Eid Al-Fitr.
“For the first time ever the West End is being lit up by a beautiful display of lights to mark the holy month of Ramadan. It was an honour to switch them on officially this evening ahead of the start of Ramadan. London is now the first major city in Europe to host a spectacular light display to mark Ramadan. It’s a true symbol of how our capital celebrates our diversity,” Khan tweeted.
The event was organized by Ramadan Lights, a non-profit donations-based organization, while donations came from the general public under the sponsorship of “Algbra”, the “Aziz Foundation” and the “Heart of London Business Alliance”.
Founder of Ramadan Lights, Aisha Desai said that the event is an extension of the first Ramadan Lights campaign that she launched three years ago. In 2021, Aisha and her team held a small festive show in Ramadan in Henley Corner, north London. As for the year 2022, Ramadan decorations and lights decorated part of the famous tourist site Trafalgar Square.
Ramadan Lights UK organization raised GBP 75,000 to produce, install and remove the lights after Eid Al-Fitr.
Source: Qatar News Agency
