Shaheer Ahmed
The words “Happy Ramadan” are lighted down the length of Coventry Street, which connects Leicester Square to Piccadilly. The lights in London were turned on by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London. Khan is a Muslim and is celebrating Ramadan together with the other 1.3 million Muslims who live in London. London lights up for Ramadan and makes it a special night for the Muslims living there.
Ayshea Desai is responsible for organising the show; she was motivated to do so by her enthusiasm for Christmas lights. She explained that her motivation was just the desire to make it seem like Christmas lights.
Furthermore, she said, “When I was a kid, my sister and I often went to see the Christmas lights. Later in life, I had the chance to live in the Middle East, and I wanted to bring that same sense of wonder and happiness to London, where I was born and raised.”
It is a very significant month for Muslims all around the world.
About the news that London Lights Up for Ramadan, Ayesha Desai replied upon asking about this Holy Month, “I wanted to raise that awareness as well to let our neighbours know that this is a really significant month for us, and it’s my favourite month of the year, and I’m just thankful that we’re here today,” she said. “It’s my favourite month of the year and I’m just grateful that we’re here.”
The Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington is hosting a pop-up mosque and Ramadan pavilion, as well as an open Iftar (breaking of the fast), for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
