By Maira Butt
Muslims across Britain are preparing to enter a month of reflection, self-restraint and community, as Ramadan returns. London celebrated its arrival with the switching on of Ramadan lights in Coventry Street near Leicester Square on Friday.
The installation of more than 30,000 LED bulbs runs throughout Ramadan from 5pm to 5am until 18 March. It will then switch to lights for Eid, which will remain on until 24 March.
The design is inspired by Islamic geometric art, including motifs of both sunrise and sunset to symbolise Suhoor — the meal eaten before dawn, when the fast starts — and Iftar, the meal eaten after sunset, when it ends.
For Muslims it is more than simply a marker of the holy month; it is also an opportunity to celebrate identity, belonging and pride.
Sir Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, who is Muslim, emphasised that message with a speech before the switch-on. “Let’s show the best of London, the best of Britain, the best of Islam,” he told the crowd of hundreds as they braved the cold and rain.
After a year of record-high levels of Islamophobia, the ceremony was a chance to demonstrate the resilience, the joy and the community of Muslims. “One of our tasks during this Ramadan, both Muslims and non-Muslims, is to show that London is an antidote to hatred,” he said. “We are the antithesis of everything they believe in.”
Sir Sadiq encouraged British Muslims to break fasts with friends, colleagues and others in their extended communities.
The Aziz Foundation, which supports British Muslims to bring positive change to their communities, funds the initiative, and Rahima Aziz, a trustee, said the lights marked a symbol of inclusion and belonging for the Muslim community. “We share these streets, we share this city, London is a city for everyone and Ramadan is for everyone to enjoy,” she said.
The lights also mark the start of other projects to celebrate the month. Shared Light, a pioneering interfaith exhibition, curated by Raheel Khan, an award-winning artist and Aziz scholar, marks a cultural milestone for the city.
The exhibition, at Piccadilly Circus in the Zedwell hotel’s basement café, is inspired by the values of Ramadan including love, generosity, gratitude, patience, empathy, forgiveness, humility, peace, hope and community.
Bringing together artists from a variety of backgrounds, Shared Light, seeks to reflect on the dynamics that connect across faiths and lives among communities.
The exhibition runs until 22 March and features mixed digital media, handcrafted woodwork, layered calligraphy, printmaking, and painting using the encaustic method.
“Abstract and figurative approaches sit side by side; sacred geometry meets expressive mark-making; gold leaf and illumination converse with minimalist ink gesture,” says one of the exhibitors.
Featured artists include Rooful Ali with a photographic print on canvas, Light of Jerusalem (2013), Max Jaeckel-Parker with A Scene for Jean (2025), an acrylic print on canvas, and John Woodhouse’s Desperate to Land (2019).
There are practical offers in store for Muslims and non-Muslims too with an Iftar Trail, which returns for its second year. Participating restaurants across London’s West End include the Hard Rock Café, Pizza Express, Angus Steakhouse, Shake Shack and Francos.
“These lights are for everybody,” Ms Aziz added. “The same way we get to experience the Christmas lights, the lights for Diwali and Hanukkah. We want everyone to enjoy the Ramadan lights.”
London made history four years ago when it became the first western city to have Ramadan lights and Sir Sadiq said: “I’m really pleased that year after year after year here in the heart of our city, we celebrate all the great festivals from around the world.
“What tonight is about is remembering that in this great city of ours, Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Sikhs, those members of an organised faith and those that aren’tm come together during this month of Ramadan.”
Joe Dobson, director at the Aziz Foundation, said: “What began as a small idea has grown into a world-leading celebration. This year, the Aziz Foundation is proud to bring Ramadan Lights London back, more vibrant and connected to the city than ever before. We look forward to welcoming both first-time and returning visitors to experience the full programme for themselves.”
Ramadan marks a holy month for Muslims across the world. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and Muslims are expected to refrain from drinking or eating anything from sunrise to sunset. It is generally a time of introspection, asceticism and community.
Lesser-known abstinences include refraining from gossip, listening to music and other activities that may be considered a distraction from the world of the spiritual.
It is also known as the month when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
The Quran states: “You who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be mindful of God.”
The start of Ramadan is marked by the sighting of the moon and the end of the month is identified in the same way.
This year’s fasts are shorter than previous years. Ramadan follows the lunar (or Hijri) calendar, which is based on the moon’s cycles. Unlike the Gregorian solar calendar, which is set to a fixed number of days, the lunar calendar is 10 to 12 days shorter. This means that Ramadan does not fall on the same date every year, and can “drift” through the seasons.
