At a time when xenophobia and anti-immigrant rhetoric are on the rise across Europe, London is lighting up this Ramadan in a very public way. While no city catapults itself into Ramadan quite like Cairo does, London, too, will be lighting up this holy month. Ma’idat al-Rahman—traditional tables set up in the streets providing free iftar to the public—may not line its pavements at iftar time, nor streamers flutter across skylines, and lanterns sway at every street corner like in Cairo. Yet in its own way, the UK capital is broadcasting a powerful statement of hope and of belonging to its residents. For the fourth consecutive year, London’s Ramadan Lights are back in town, promising to be the most spectacular light show yet. Every night this month, from 5 PM to 5 AM, over 30,000 LEDs will illuminate the skies of central London, stretching between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. Fully funded by the Aziz Foundation — a philanthropic organisation supporting British Muslims and founded by Asif Aziz — the UK’s largest public Ramadan celebration will transform Coventry Street into a display of light, colour, and community spirit. The Ramadan…
