With the Holy month of Ramadan nearing to an end, Muslims all over the world and in London are gearing to celebrate with pride and peace, as the celebration of Eid dates the day directly after the end of Ramadan, serving as a blissful reward to those who participated in the fast this year.

This month represents significance on a different scale to Muslims everywhere, with many taking this time and this month as an opportunity to reflect, to reverberate their minds with their souls, and switching up their entire flows in major life-changing vows they’ve made to themselves and to God. Islam is a way of life, and Ramadan for many is a Segway into the change they’ve been looking for in their lives; a chance to reconnect, to feel, to understand themselves and bring themselves closer to God in hopes of achieving inner-peace, which at the end of the day is the main strive of life according to this peaceful religion.

For many, Ramadan has offered a chance to rebuild themselves and take a look closely at everything they’ve felt and been through, and re-route it back to their belief in Allah, and for many others, it reinforces their faith and gives them an opportunity to heal, to nurture their souls, and feel something beyond themselves. Most Muslims would emphasize that this month is all about love and kindness, but even more would argue that that’s what life is about, which is why this month feels so surreal and important to many: it allows them to focus on love and spread it, and to build a foundation in their lives so they can spread that love all year round. There is nothing more important than love in Islam. Love towards God, love towards one’s self, and love to every human, animal, plant, rock, flower, tree, literally anything you can think of, Islam wants you to show love. That’s it. Just love.

And this year, just like every other year before hand, many have decided to take this month as a chance to do good, to help others around them, to donate to Charities such as Muslim Aid, to pay zakat (mandatory donation to charity) and to pray for those in need. While on the topic of prayer, Ramadan is also a time for Muslims to focus deeply in meditation and prayer towards God, which many do in different ways, all valid and meaningful towards them and their connection with Allah. Ramadan is a month for lots of things: prayer, hope, healing, reflection, and connection, and solemn love to all, and love towards God.

And with a month this big on the soul, Muslims must have a celebration just as big for their dedication in the month, which is why Eid-al-fitr occurs on the day directly after the month of Ramadan ends (which is also luckily on a bank holiday this year), rewarding Muslims with that joy and love so very emphasized above. Muslims this year, just like every year, look very well forward to the celebration and are preparing with various beautiful traditions across a plethora of cultures across the world, many of which have participants right here in London, sharing their cultures to create the radiant and glowing diversity we so proudly have in this city.