London's Piccadilly Circus shines with 'Happy Ramadan' lights for the first time ever; Mayor Sadiq Khan shares picture

To mark the Islamic holy month of fasting, Ramadan, London's Piccadilly Circus has been illuminated with special lights, which is a first-time occurrence. Mayor Sadiq Khan initiated the display, and numerous individuals came together on Tuesday to commemorate this noteworthy event.

Thousands of lights were used to create an installation that illuminated the streets with the words "Happy Ramadan".




Ramadan Lights UK, a not-for-profit organisation with the objective of increasing awareness about the month of fasting, curated the concept for London's first-ever Ramadan lights. The project was led by founder Aisha Desai, who started it three years ago and has since expanded it.

The carefully curated display showcases the moon's phases throughout Ramadan, and "brings the light of Ramadan to the streets of London," according to a statement made by Ramadan Lights UK on Instagram.



The project started in 2021 with its first display in Henley's Corner on the North Circular and was followed by another one in Trafalgar Square in 2022. Ms Desai expressed her pride in the fact that the lights would be displayed on Coventry Street, which connects Piccadilly Circus to Leicester Square, one of London's most renowned streets, this year.

Ms Desai expressed her desire to provide some of the holiday magic she experienced during her annual trips to central London to see the festive lights as a youngster to her community as a proud Muslim.

London's Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed his pleasure in illuminating the lights and stated that it was an "honour to switch them on." He tweeted that London is now the first major city in Europe to display such a spectacular light show to commemorate Ramadan. He also mentioned that this is a genuine representation of how the capital city commemorates its diversity.

FAQs

1. When did Sadiq Khan become London's mayor?
   May 2016
2. How old is Sadiq Khan?
   52 years old