For the first time, the city of Ghent in Belgium has illuminated two of its busiest commercial streets with festive Ramadan lights, casting a warm glow over the holy month of fasting.
The initiative, led by the Vereniging Gentse Moskeeën (VGM – Ghent Mosque Association) in cooperation with local merchants, has transformed Bevrijdingslaan-Phoenixstraat in the Brugse Poort district and Wondelgemstraat in the Rabot district into illuminated corridors marking Ramadan.
Installed in the days leading up to the holy month, the lights will remain in place until Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.
“This is an initiative that is the first of its kind in all of Belgium. Nowhere else in Belgium have such lights been installed,” said Mohamed Abd El Motleb Omar, chairman of VGM.
The concept first took shape four years ago after similar Ramadan decorations appeared in London.
Local traders later entrusted the association with handling the procedural and operational aspects of bringing the lights to Belgium, including securing the necessary permits.
“It was not funded by the municipal council. It was financed 100 percent by local merchants,” Omar emphasized.
VGM represents 23 mosques across Ghent and works to support the Muslim community, fostering cooperation among congregations of Turkish, Moroccan, Afghan, and Pakistani origin.
