For the First Time, London’s West End Decorated Its Streets To Celebrate Ramadan

“This carefully curated concept depicts the phases of the moon throughout the blessed month, bringing the light of Ramadan to the streets of London,” the installation's creator wrote in an Instagram post.

Credit: Aaron Chown / PA Images via Getty Images
Credit: Aaron Chown / PA Images via Getty Images

For the first time, London’s West End has been illuminated by thousands of lights and decorations to mark the month-long festival of Ramadan. London Mayor Sadiq Khan switched on the dazzling 30,000-light installation on Coventry Street, which is between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, on March 21.

London is home to more than 1.3 million Muslims, the mayor being one of them. For followers of Islam, Ramadan is one of the holiest months of the year and involves fasting during daylight hours. The moon determines the dates of Ramadan, and this year, the month begins on the evening of March 22 and ends on that of April 20.
 

London’s light installation was created by nonprofit Ramadan Lights UK, which funded the project largely through public donations. The organization's founder, Aisha Desai, said that the project was inspired by London's Christmas light displays.

“I remembered going to visit the Christmas lights with my sister when I was growing up and I also had an opportunity to live in the Middle East and I wanted to bring that joy and magic to London, the city that I'm from,” said Desai.

“This carefully curated concept depicts the phases of the moon throughout the blessed month, bringing the light of Ramadan to the streets of London,” Ramadan Lights UK wrote in an Instagram post.