During the Islamic month of fasting, the Ramadan, special festive lights will be hung in two streets in Ghent, capital of East Flanders. It is an initiative of around local 100 retailers. The Association of Ghent Mosques, the VGM, is coordinating the project.
Religion & Philosophy
Ghent shopkeepers display Ramadan lights for an entire month in two streets
Colin Clapson
Published:
It is believed to the first initiative of its kind in Belgium. ‘We are working with the same company that also provides the Ramadan lights in London, so it will certainly be spectacular.’
In the UK capital, the concept is now in its fourth edition. ‘It also exists in Cologne (Germany) and in several Dutch cities. There are already small initiatives in Brussels, but not on this scale. We hope it will become a new tradition in Ghent,’ says Abd El Motleb Omar.
The lights will be put up in the week before Ramadan. The month of fasting begins around 19 February. Ramadan ends a month later, on 19 or 20 March, with the feast of Eid al-Fitr.
‘The start of a new tradition in Ghent’
The Ramadan lights will be placed on two shopping areas: the Bevrijdingslaan-Phoenixstraat at the Brugse Poort and the Wondelgemstraat in the Rabot district. Here, in this area, many local traders have a Muslim background. ‘We have been asking for this for years and are delighted that it is finally happening,’ says shopkeeper Fatih Şenel. ‘All the local shopkeepers are enthusiastic.’
‘You can compare it to Christmas lights, but in an oriental style,’ says Mohamed Abd El Motleb Omar of the VGM. ‘These shopping streets are particularly busy during Ramadan with people coming to do their shopping. There is also a parallel with the Christmas festive period.’
‘The lights will come on at sunset, when the fasting period is ended for the day,’ emphasises Abd El Motleb Omar. ‘We have purchased the lights and are also covering all the other costs.’
The VGM would prefer not to disclose the exact cost of the project. Ghent has granted the necessary permits for the lights. The Ramadan lights will remain in place throughout the fast of Ramadan.