Graduate curates interfaith art exhibition for Ramadan celebrations

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Raheel Kahn is curating an interfaith art exhibition as part of The Aziz Foundation’s Ramadan Lights London 2026 programme in the West End.

Raheel Khan stands in front of some of the artwork, holding a microphone and giving a speech at the opening of the exhibition

Raheel Khan speaking at the exhibition opening

In 2023, the Ramadan Lights London were the first aerial Ramadan lights in Western Europe. For the first time this year, the Ramadan Lights London programme extends into the visual arts with the Shared Light exhibition, curated by a Goldsmiths graduate. 

Shared Light is curated by Raheel Khan, a London-based artist and composer whose interdisciplinary practice spans installation, sound, performance and text. Artists, responding to an open call for people of all faiths and backgrounds, were invited to explore values at the heart of Ramadan - generosity, gratitude, patience, empathy, forgiveness, humility, peace, hope and community – in their submissions.  

Raheel studied MFA Fine Art at Goldsmiths and is a former Aziz Scholar. He was the recipient of the Exhibitions Hub Alumni Commission Award in 2025, in partnership with iniva and Camden Art Centre. In October – December last year, Raheel took part in the Goldsmith’s CCA’s ongoing commissioning series, Episodes, with his installation, ‘Memory Police’. A large structure resembling a home or shelter built from disused doors from south London formed a focal point of the installation, set against a soundscape, as his work often explores sound, architecture and political realities. 

Ramadan Lights display lit up and the underground sign

The Ramadan Lights display

Rahima Aziz and Sadiq Khan standing on a stage decorated with lights underneath the lights display

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Rahima Aziz BEM, Trustee of The Aziz Foundation, at the lights switch-on

Photographs: Acacia Diana

Shared Light is about exploring the values that connect us across cultures and faiths.

Raheel Khan, MFA Fine Art graduate

Raheel Khan said, "I am thrilled to be curating this exhibition for The Aziz Foundation and to contribute to a project that celebrates shared humanity. By allowing the artworks to speak for themselves, the exhibition will create space for reflection, dialogue and moments of unexpected connection between visitors." 

The exhibition opened on Friday 13 February, alongside the official lights switch-on by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. The Shared Light exhibition was unveiled by Councillor Hamza Taouzzale, the former Lord Mayor of Westminster, who studied BA Politics at Goldsmiths. 

Shared Light is taking place at hotel café at Zedwell Piccadilly Circus, running from 13 February to 22 March 2026. Entry is free and open to the general public. 

A crowd of people during the exhibition opening

The exhibition opening

Photographs: Acacia Diana