{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1573596,
        "msgid": "for-the-first-time-ramadan-lights-illuminate-streets-in-belgium-1772152846",
        "date": "2026-02-26 22:53:51",
        "title": "For the first time, Ramadan lights illuminate streets in Belgium",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_ID",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "The city of Ghent in Belgium has installed Ramadan decorations along two of its busiest shopping streets, marking the first such initiative in the country. The lights, which will remain until Eid al-Fitr, aim to foster solidarity and understanding between communities, particularly with the city's Muslim population.",
        "content": "<p>Ghent (ANTARA) - The city of Ghent in Belgium has, for the first\ntime, installed Ramadan decorations along two of its busiest shopping\nstreets, making it the first such initiative in the European\ncountry.<\/p>\n<p>The lights emit a warm glow throughout the holy month for Muslims and\nalso reflect the growing spirit of solidarity between communities,\nTurkish news agency Anadolu reported on Thursday (26\/2).<\/p>\n<p>The initiative was led by the Ghent Mosque Association (VGM) in\ncooperation with local shop owners. The two areas decorated are\nBevrijdingslaan-Phoenixstraat in Brugse Poort and Wondelgemstraat in\nRabot.<\/p>\n<p>The lights were installed a few days before Ramadan and will remain\nuntil Eid al-Fitr.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is the first initiative of its kind in all of Belgium. No other\ncity has ever had decorations like this,\u201d said VGM Chairman Mohamed Abd\nEl Motleb Omar to Anadolu.<\/p>\n<p>According to Omar, the idea began to take shape four years ago after\nsimilar Ramadan decorations appeared in London. Local merchants then\ngave the association the mandate to handle the procedural and\noperational aspects, including obtaining permits.<\/p>\n<p>The VGM represents 23 mosques in Ghent and seeks to support the\nMuslim community and encourage cooperation between congregations from\nvarious backgrounds, including Turkish, Moroccan, Afghan, and\nPakistani.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe organize various activities that bring together mosque leaders\nand the wider Ghent community,\u201d said Omar, citing a large-scale annual\niftar event that brings together people from diverse backgrounds.<\/p>\n<p>He said the decorated streets are known for their bustling commercial\nactivity and many of the shop owners are of Muslim background. The area\nbecomes even more lively, especially in the evenings during Ramadan, he\nsaid.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe response has been mostly positive. There have been no problems,\neven from the far-right [conservative] groups. The reaction has been\nmuch more positive than I expected,\u201d said Omar.<\/p>\n<p>He added that the decorations have sparked conversations among\nresidents who want to learn more about Ramadan and the meaning of\nfasting for Muslims.<\/p>\n<p>He hopes that other cities in Belgium will adopt similar initiatives\nto promote a more collaborative community life between different\ngroups.<\/p>\n<p>Translator: Kuntum Khaira Riswan<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/for-the-first-time-ramadan-lights-illuminate-streets-in-belgium-1772152846",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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