Ramadan lights on display across central London over the Easter weekend has prompted concern over support for other major faiths during important festivals.
Lights in Oxford Street and between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square were switched on earlier this month by London mayor Sadiq Khan.
It is the second time the Muslim celebration has been marked with lights in London.
The lights which read “Happy Ramadan” are funded by the Aziz Foundation, a charity founded by Asif Aziz.
The property developer owns sites including the London Trocadero located between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square.
The display has received praise but also sparked questions over why an Easter feature has not been put in place ahead of this weekend.
Writing on social media, one person said: “Insult to everyone who is Christian, they have never done Easter lights for us.”
Another said: “We are a Christian country. Easter is one of the main feasts in the Christian calendar. It should not be overshadowed by other religious events.”
While a third added: “Ramadan lights at Easter. This is cultural displacement.”
Paul Swaddle, leader of the minority Tory group on Westminster council, offers full support to the Ramadan lights but challenges why Westminster’s city hall offices do not feature an Easter display.
“The thing I would question is this: there has been a Ramadan celebration in the window of Westminster city hall. But I just wonder if the Easter one is going up very soon?” he told The Telegraph.
“Easter is one of the most important Christian festivals of the year but what are they [the Labour council] doing to celebrate it? I am not aware they are. I suspect the window display is not going to change.”
Ramadan occurs at a different time every year due to the alignment of the Moon and this year Easter falls within the same month.
A spokesman for Khan said: “Sadiq is proud that as Mayor he’s stood up for Londoners of all faiths, taking part in a host of festivals and celebrations, including around Easter. He’s attended churches around both Christmas and Easter, while visiting church-run foodbanks.
“The Mayor’s office continue to help facilitate the world-famous staging of the Passion of Christ in Trafalgar Square, which attracts thousands of people every year.
“Sadiq is immensely grateful for the hand of friendship offered to him by Christian friends and neighbours. This Sunday, Sadiq looks forward to joining a local church congregation as they celebrate Easter.”
Westminster City Council added that it “routinely supports” a wide range of other faith activities throughout the year including Christmas, Easter, Palm Sunday, Eid, Diwali and Hanukkah.
A spokesperson said: “The council supports festivals from different faith communities throughout the year, and the Ramadan lights form part of that activity.
“The West End hosts millions of visitors a year from around the world and these lights will add an attractive extra dimension to Oxford Street for those who observe Ramadan and those who don’t.”
https://www.gbnews.com/news/ramadan-lights-london-easter-celebration-fury