From one crescent moon to another.
Tomorrow is the first day of Ramadan. From one sighting of the crescent moon to the next, Tuesday 22nd March to Friday 21st April, Muslims from all across the world will be fasting for the next thirty days.
For the first time ever, this year London lit the streets of Piccadilly Circus with 30,000 lights that form 61 moons. On the 22nd March to 21st April the Ramadan lights will be lit by Sadiq Khan, the first Muslim Mayor of London. The illumination of the city was created in collaboration with the Heart of London Business Alliance and founded by Aisha Desai.
Aisha Desai told CBC "I hope it inspires other young people of other faiths to do the same." All the lights are energy efficient LED light bulbs to be more sustainable.
Ramadan falls on the first day of the 9th month on the Islamic calendar, it is a month for the people celebrating to reflect and appreciate. During the fasting period, no meals are eaten between Suhoor and Iftar, originating from the story of Prophet Muhammed.
Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion and worship. “It's time for me to really reflect and reset.” Retired dry cleaner Rifat Hussein explained his relationship with his religion - “It’s not easy, but when you believe in something it motivates you.”
Ismael Ibrahim, a practising muslim from Coventry university, expressed his gratitude for his religion as he believes it guides us to grow as individuals. “I wouldn’t say I know everything about my religion, we’re constantly learning and growing as people and I feel like for me my religion has been a catalyst for that growth”.
I also spoke with Selen Osman, a non practising muslim about her relationship with her religion. “I don’t not believe, I feel like there is definitely something more beyond us. I just don’t think I'm ready for that big of a commitment when it comes to devoting your life to Islam. And to sacrifice that much of your life, you can’t just be 50/50 about it.”
She then went on to explain that she has “considered fasting” but not for religious reasons. She said “ If I was to fast it would be to reset and cleanse myself. I wouldn’t necessarily be doing it for the religious reasons and that to me seems a little disrespectful, so I just don’t do it”
Statistics now show that there are over 1.9 billion muslims in the world making Islam the second most followed religion globally, with Christianity being the most followed. Depending on what country they’re from, the amount of hours a day over the 30 days of fasting will vary. For example people based in Middle Eastern countries observe 14 hours of fasting per day but people based in South African countries observe around 12- 13 hours of fasting per day.
British Muslims observe around 12 hours of fasting every day for 30 days during ramadan.
Ismael Ibrahim, a practising muslim from Coventry university, expressed his gratitude for his religion as he believes it guides us to grow as individuals. “I wouldn’t say I know everything about my religion, we’re constantly learning and growing as people and I feel like for me my religion has been a catalyst for that growth”.
Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion and worship. “It’s a time for me to really reflect and reset.” Retired dry cleaner Rifat Hussein explained his relationship with his religion - “It’s not easy, but when you believe in something it motivates you.”