What the Middle East Taught Me About Ramadan Lighting

A floating landscape on Dubai’s waterfront

“The project I’m proudest of is the Ramadan Kareem installation at the Dubai Festival City Mall waterfront. The brief was to create an elegant, contemporary illuminated landscape that would float on the water. We designed giant golden 3D stars and crescents in intricate fretwork, lit with layers of warm white light that reflected across the water far and wide. Each form was mounted on an anchored platform, so the pieces moved gently with the water. The result was a truly serene spectacle, and a reminder that the setting can become part of the design. You can see shots of the installation below.”

There’s no single way to celebrate Ramadan with light

“What surprised me most when I started designing Ramadan lighting was how broad the briefs were. Some clients wanted very traditional designs. Others wanted something closer to a contemporary art installation.

In the Middle East, bespoke creations are expected, often against challenging briefs. The biggest lesson I’d share with UK towns and venues is that less is sometimes more. A few bold, beautiful pieces can create a far more immersive experience than lots of smaller decorations.

“Is there anything they do there that wouldn’t work in the UK? Not really. The warmer climate allows more experimental outdoor designs, but the principles of a great scheme travel well.”

Understanding the symbols

“The crescent, the lantern and geometric patterns are a respected form of religious iconography. They represent the meaning of the season: self-reflection, renewal, compassion, generosity, fasting and self-discipline.

“That’s why getting the design right matters. The most common mistake I see is decorations that look too cartoon-like and commercial. Ramadan lighting should be elegant and thought-provoking.

“It also needs its own story. A great Ramadan scheme isn’t a Christmas display with a crescent added. The storyline and symbolism have to reflect the season, so the design feels like a genuine celebration that everyone is welcome to share.”

Lighting for the whole community

“A successful scheme considers the whole community. People of every faith, and of none. The aim is to create a celebration that never becomes a political statement but is something joyful and festive that everyone can admire and enjoy.

“I believe Ramadan lighting matters in the UK right now. Lighting installations can help share and celebrate the values our multicultural communities hold in common.

“Ramadan and Eid carry a strong message of goodwill to all. With beautiful light and form, a street, square or atrium can become an enchanted landscape that is respectful and inclusive.”

My advice for UK councils and shopping centres

“If it’s your first time, embrace it. Respectfully host the celebrations of your community and share in the spirit of goodwill at the heart of Ramadan and Eid, just as you would for Christmas.

“If you only have budget for one piece, choose a stand-alone, art-installation-style feature that the community can interact with. It should be colourful, interactive and magical for everyone to share and enjoy.

“When to start planning? As soon as possible. Bespoke designs can take months to plan, cost and present, depending on the scale of the project.”

What I want people to feel

“When people walk past one of my installations, I want them to feel a sense of celebration, inclusion, awe and wonder. It should feel like stepping into a beautiful garden landscape, inspired by nature, colour and form. I want people to slow down, relax and leave feeling rewarded and inspired.”

Coming soon…

We’re about to unveil a new Ramadan project of our own, transforming a city landscape into an immersive feast of light and form. Watch this space! Explore our Ramadan lighting solutions, or talk to our team about your Ramadan lighting project.