For Ramadan, London lights up and advocates sharing

Hibapress

The British capital was adorned with lights to celebrate the advent of the holy month. London City Hall lit up Coventry Street with oriental designs and illuminated signs wishing passers-by a “Happy Ramadan”.

This is the second year that the famous avenue connecting two of the busiest squares in the capital has been lit up for Ramadan. “A symbol of inclusion and sharing”, according to the initiator of the project, Aisha Desai.

“It’s a powerful gesture. It gives British Muslims a sense of belonging and raises awareness in such a lovely way through art and light,” she highlighted on the occasion.

Inspired by the joy she felt as a child seeing Christmas lights in central London, Aisha wanted to create a similar experience for Muslim communities across the country. She has since created Ramadan Lights UK, an initiative that designs sustainable light installations in the shapes of crescent moons and traditional lanterns, to celebrate the holy month.

In addition to the festive character they give to the city, these lights also arouse the curiosity of non-Muslims who seek to understand the meaning of this sacred month and its traditions. For example, many mosques organize open days and interfaith events to promote dialogue and mutual understanding.

In the same vein, “Open Iftar”, organized for more than 10 years in the United Kingdom, offers British Muslims the opportunity to share their faith and culture with their fellow citizens.

For the first time this year, the event, which was limited to London at its beginnings, extends to the four constituent nations of the United Kingdom, with the theme: “Heritage: Past, present and future”, to highlight the rich Muslim culture and its beneficial influence on society.

With Iftars bringing together people of various faiths in emblematic places of the country, the initiative allows both to raise awareness of Muslim culture and traditions and to strengthen links between different communities.

Last year, several Premier League clubs tasted the joys of sharing with Iftars organized on their grounds. In 2024, the reigning English champion, Manchester City, joined this initiative by receiving, during the first week of the holy month, hundreds of people for the breaking of the fast.

The participants filled the suites overlooking the Etihad stadium to enjoy a meal together and discuss the particularities and benefits of Ramadan.

In addition to the Citizens’ den, the event, organized by “Tent Project”, is also scheduled to be held at Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, Ewood Park in Blackburn, Cherry Red Records Stadium at AFC Wimbledon, The Hawthorns of West Brom and at Villa Park of Aston Villa.

In this same context, the Tate Modern museum also received dozens of people on Saturday for breaking the fast. The opportunity for Dowshan Humzah, member of the “Tent Project”, to recall that “Open Iftar is open to everyone, whether people are fasting or not, whether they are Muslim or not, faithful or not. Our goal is to bring everyone together.”

From sports fields to high places of British culture, this year’s theme addresses the importance of preserving history, while shaping the future through inter-community dialogue, thus reinforcing the place of sharing values ​​​​during this month of spirituality.

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