WATCH: Ramadan Lights turned on in London for second year

Lighting the streets of Soho for just the second time in history, the Ramadan Lights were officially switched on last Thursday evening.

In a gathering of locals, politicians and demi-celebrities, at ceremonial lighting of Coventry Street near Piccadilly Circus, London Mayor Sadiq Khan pushed the 'on' switch, alongside British actor and comedian Adil Ray OBE, and Rahima Aziz of the Aziz Foundation.

Embracing the spirit of Ramadan, the Aziz Foundation is a charitable organisation created with the aim of fostering resilient, articulate public figures from Muslim backgrounds. Through education, further education opportunities and mentoring, the charity works to ensue individuals are equipped to critically analyse public discourses, and properly tackle social issues affecting British Muslim communities and society at large.

This is just the second year London's West End has displayed Ramadan Lights, commemorating the month-long fasting period observed by Muslims around the world.

According to the BBC, the Ramadan Lights concept originated with Aisha Desai, a young Muslim from north London, and was inspired by her admiration for the annual Christmas light displays throughout the UK in December, and with this in mind she crafted her inaugural Ramadan lights display in Finchley. And, since the concept has grown and been embraced by Muslim communities across the nation.

The sparkling light displays depicting an array of designs such as crescent moons and stars, will brighten the streets of London every evening for approximately 30 nights, continuing until the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the Eid Al-Fitr celebrations in April.

@ramadanlightsuk