London’s Coventry street to dazzle with Ramadan lights for third year

Reuters

For the third consecutive year, Coventry Street - the iconic thoroughfare connecting Piccadilly Circus to Leicester Square - will transform into a radiant display in celebration of Ramadan.

From February 28 to April 6, 2025, over 30,000 LEDs, inspired by Muslim geometric patterns and celestial symbols, will illuminate this historic street every evening from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Organized by the Aziz Foundation, the initiative goes beyond a simple light show. The festive program includes an interactive installation in Leicester Square, an IFTAR gastronomic experience, and a participatory lantern-making project. Notably, on March 30 the display will transition from the message “Happy Ramadan” to “Joyeux Eid,” symbolically marking the conclusion of the holy month.

“We are proud to perpetuate this tradition for the third year, celebrating the rich diversity of London and the spirit of Ramadan,” said Rahima Aziz Bem, administrator of the Aziz Foundation. The event, which was inaugurated in 2023 by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, has quickly become a cherished part of the city’s cultural landscape.

The celebration reflects broader efforts to recognize and include the British Muslim community - estimated at nearly 3.9 million people - in the fabric of the nation’s public life. Much like Christmas decorations, these Ramadan illuminations signify a transformative shift in how London and other European capitals celebrate their cultural and religious diversity. Access to the illuminations will be free for all.

As Coventry Street lights up this festive season, the event stands as both a symbol of spiritual renewal for devotees and a vibrant showcase of London’s commitment to inclusivity and multicultural celebration.

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