Sadiq Khan Celebrates Ramadan by Illuminating London with Festive Lights

Rabat – London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan has celebrated Ramadan 2023 in a unique way. The mayor switched London’s first-ever celebratory Ramadan lights consisting of 30,000 sustainable lights.

Khan shared his joy for the event on Twitter, “It was an honor to switch them on officially this evening ahead of the start of Ramadan,” the mayor said.

The lights mark a first for not only London but the whole of Europe. “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,” the tweet continued.

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. pic.twitter.com/t6gXpwAxiE

— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) March 21, 2023

The Guardian reported that West End street will be lit up for the month of Ramadan, adding that the initiative was led by non-profit organization Ramadan Lights UK, which raised funds for the show through public donations.

Ramadan will begin tomorrow 23 March in the UK, which is home to a 1.2 million Muslim population, particularly residing in England and Wales.

According to the Muslim community center Dar UI-Isra, “The crescent moon marking the beginning of the month of Ramadan 1444 has not been sighted, and therefore Ramadan will commence on the night of Wednesday, 22nd March with the first day of fasting on Thursday, 23rd March.”

Ramadan is a month that provides Muslims prosperity and peace; it is a period of spiritual discipline during which people strive to do more good deeds, increase charity, and re-read the Quran.

Ramadan is mandatory for adult Muslims. Individuals with long-term illnesses and other health issues as well as elderly people and pregnant women are exempt from fasting.

Fasting requires worshippers to abstain from eating, drinking, having sex, and smoking, from dawn (fajr) to sunset (maghrib). At sunset, Muslims break their fast with traditional meals shared with family and friends (iftar.)

Ramadan concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, a holiday dedicated to quality time with family members and loved ones. It also marks the return to a normal eating schedule.