Ramadan 2025 in London: Leicester Square Lights Up in Grand Celebration
“We stand with pride as messengers of hope, in the first Western capital to illuminate Ramadan lights.” With these words, London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed his excitement on Wednesday evening as thousands of British Muslims gathered in Leicester Square to witness the lighting of the city’s Ramadan decorations. The event, covered by Al-Arab in UK (AUK), drew a diverse crowd and widespread community engagement.
A Unique Ramadan Lantern Parade in the Heart of London
Before the official lighting, the celebrations began with a Ramadan Lantern Parade featuring children from Global Academy. Carrying colourful lanterns they had crafted themselves, the children walked through Leicester Square in a first-of-its-kind event for London. Accompanied by officials from Westminster City Council, the young participants were met with warm encouragement from Londoners of all backgrounds, reinforcing a message of unity and cultural appreciation.
Speaking to Al-Arab in UK (AUK), Nasiba Mohammed, Executive Director of Global Academy, highlighted the significance of the event. “This is the first time we’ve ever had a children’s parade to celebrate Ramadan in London,” she said.
“The kids were so excited—they made their own lanterns and had been looking forward to this for days. It was heartwarming to see how much support they received from the local community. We’re also incredibly grateful to Aziz Foundation, which played a key role in organising and sponsoring the event. Their team has been working tirelessly to set up the decorations, and tonight, they finally get to see their efforts come to life.”
Ramadan Lights Bring a New Energy to London
As the countdown began, Salihah Mahmood, a British influencer, stood in awe of the vibrant atmosphere. Speaking to Al-Arab in UK (AUK), she reflected on how much things have changed over the years:
“When I was a kid, we didn’t celebrate Ramadan out in public—it was always something we kept within our homes. But today, standing here, I feel an incredible sense of belonging and pride as a British Muslim.”
She continued, “An event like this shows just how far we’ve come as a community in Britain. It’s a moment worth reflecting on. It’s a special day for me and for so many Muslims across the country.”
For Ahmed, a Saudi expat living in London, the sight of Ramadan lights in the streets of the British capital was both surprising and uplifting. Speaking to Al-Arab in UK (AUK), he said, “It’s a strange but beautiful feeling to see Ramadan come to life outside our home countries. May Allah bless us to witness this month while drawing us closer to Him.”
London’s Ramadan Tradition Continues
With an official invitation, Al-Arab in UK (AUK) covered the event, which aims to highlight the growing presence and contributions of Arab Muslims in the UK. The Aziz Foundation was responsible for installing and lighting the Ramadan decorations across London, working with various organisations to bring the event to life.
This initiative first launched in 2023, when 30,000 crescent-shaped lights illuminated the city’s streets for Ramadan. Now, as Ramadan 2025 approaches, an estimated 1.3 million Muslims in London are preparing to welcome the holy month with community celebrations, packed mosques, and iftar gatherings spread across the city—ushering in a season of reflection, connection, and joy.
Read More:
ShortURL ⬇
