JAKARTA - For the first time, the West End London area, England was illuminated with 30,000 lights to welcome the arrival of the Holy Month of Ramadan, precisely in Coventry Street, which connects Leicester Square with Piccadily, illuminated with the words 'Happy Ramadan'.
The lights were turned on by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who is one of the 1.3 million Muslims in London celebrating Ramadan, on Tuesday evening.
"For the first time, West End was illuminated by a beautiful lamp display to mark the Holy Month of Ramadan," Mayor Khan wrote on his Twitter account, as quoted March 22.
"It is an honor to officially turn it on tonight ahead of the start of the month of Ramadan," he continued.
"London is now the first major city in Europe to host a spectacular lamp show to mark Ramadan. This is a real symbol of how our capital celebrates our diversity," he wrote in a separate tweet.
This look is organized by Ayshea Desai, who is inspired by her preference for Christmas lights.
"I'm just ambitious to do it like Christmas lights. I remember visiting the Christmas lights with my sister when I was little. I also had the opportunity to live in the Middle East. I wanted to bring the joy and wonder to London, the city I came from," he explained as reported by the BBC.
Desai further revealed that he started this project three years ago.
"This looks amazing, I am very surprised by the response given. This is a very important month for Muslims," said Desai.
"I want to raise that awareness, also to let our neighbors know that this is a very important month for us. It is my favorite month of the year and I am grateful that we are here today," he explained.
It is known, a number of activities will be held during Ramadan this year in London. A joint iftar event will be held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in Kensington south, where a pop-up mosque and the Ramadan pavilion were established for Muslims and non-Muslims.
Meanwhile, the Chelsea football club will also hold a iftar event together on the side of the field at Stamford Bridge, which is the first time the Premier League club and stadium have done it. The plan, Wembley Stadium will also do the same at the end of the month.
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. pic.twitter.com/w2YZMHMW8T
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) March 21, 2023
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