Next month, churches around the world will celebrate Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday, marking the most sacred period of the Christian calendar. However, in a historic first, London’s West End has been illuminated with 30,000 lights to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan. Coventry Street, connecting Leicester Square with Piccadilly, now features “Happy Ramadan” lighting, a striking visual representation of Islam’s growing influence in the UK. The lights were switched on by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, one of the 1.3 million Muslims in the city observing Ramadan.
The inspiration for this display came from the creator’s love for Christmas lights. “It’s such an important month for Muslims. I wanted to raise awareness and let our neighbors know that this is a really important time for us. I simply had the ambition to do it like the Christmas lights,” she shared.
A Cultural Shift in the Heart of Britain
London’s Muslim Mayor, Sadiq Khan, expressed his joy at the event, saying, “If you had told me all those years ago that, within my lifetime, we would have lights in London celebrating Ramadan like we do Christmas, I wouldn’t have believed you.” This moment signals a significant cultural shift in Britain, a nation historically rooted in Judeo-Christian values.
What was once a nation rooted in Judeo-Christian values now appears ready to discard its Christian heritage in favor of promoting Islamic ideology. Many in London feel this event is historic. It marks the first time Islamic celebrations have taken priority over Christian ones in Britain’s most significant institutions. The significance of this shift was further emphasized when both King Charles and Prime Minister Keir Starmer opened Westminster and the King’s private residence at Windsor Castle for Muslim celebrations of Ramadan Iftar, the breaking of the fast.
For born again believers, one must understand the biblical and prophetic significance of this increase in Islam in Europe. Many believe the Antichrist will come from the revamped Roman Empire and will rise from European leadership. The number of people confessing to be Muslim combined with the number of people leaving the Christian faith is also fulfilled prophecy. These demographic changes align with biblical prophecies regarding apostasy, as foretold by Paul in 1 Timothy 4:1-3 and 2 Timothy 4:3-4, as well as Jesus’ warning in Matthew 24:10-12 about people turning away from the truth.
Christianity is No Longer the Majority in London
Again, as a sign of Bible prophecy being fulfilled, over the last decade, England’s Muslim population has increased from 4.9% to 6.5%. The most significant growth has taken place in its capital, London, with a Muslim population of 3.9 million. The growth in Islam has caused the Christian population in England and Wales to be less than 50% for the first time.
The most popular baby name in the United Kingdom is no longer Noah or Jack. The most popular baby name in the United Kingdom is now Muhammad. London’s Christian population had decrease from 59% in 2011 to 46% in 2021. This decrease has marked for the first time in its history that Christianity has not been the majority in London.
Understanding Ramadan
Ramadan, which began on the evening of February 28, 2025, and ends on March 30, is a time of fasting, prayer, and charity for Muslims worldwide. They believe that during this month, the gates of Heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed. As part of their spiritual preparation, many Muslims increase their acts of worship and engage in charitable giving.
Preparation for Ramadan includes:
- Spiritual Readiness: Gradually increasing prayers and fasting
- Charitable Giving: Planning financial contributions
- Physical and Mental Readiness: Adjusting eating habits and daily schedules
The Growth of Islam in Europe
Islam is sweeping through Europe, which does have biblical prophetic significance. Let’s look at some of the numbers. Russia has a Muslim population of 14.5 million, with over 8,000 mosques in major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. Other European regions with notable Muslim populations include:
- Macedonia: 32% Muslim population with 800 mosques
- Bosnia: 50% Muslim population with 1,125 mosques
- Albania: 57% Muslim population with 850 mosques
- Kosovo: 96% Muslim population with 550 mosques
Islam and Christianity: An Eternal Contrast
While Islam continues to expand, Christians must seek ways to understand and engage with this belief system. Islam teaches that entrance into Paradise depends on obedience to the Five Pillars, but there is no assurance of salvation. Even Muhammad was uncertain about his eternal destiny (Surah 46:9; Hadith 5.266). In contrast, Christianity teaches salvation through grace alone, made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:8-9).
As the Muslim faith continues to grow, Christians need to seek ways to understand this movement and we need to understand how to witness to this belief system. As a Muslim, one’s desire is to reach Paradise after they die. But as a sinner, how will one escape God’s judgment? Believers know you cannot, for “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
A Muslim’s hope for eternity is in being faithful in keeping the Five Pillars of their faith and then hoping Allah will admit them to paradise. Unlike Christianity there is no assurance of a saving grace. There is no assurance of eternal life.
God is the just Judge and will not let sin go unpunished, regardless of how well you keep God’s laws or how many good deeds you do. Keeping the Five Pillars of Islam cannot get you to Heaven. You are a sinner according to God’s Word (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8). The punishment for our sin is death.
Islam’s Six Articles of Faith
As a Christian one should understand some basic beliefs in Islam. There are basically six articles of faith:
- Belief in one Allah: Muslims believe Allah is one, eternal, creator, and sovereign.
- Belief in the angels
- Belief in the prophets: The prophets include the biblical prophets but end with Muhammad as Allah’s final prophet.
- Belief in the revelations of Allah: Muslims accept certain portions of the Bible, such as the Torah and the Gospels. They believe the Qur’an is the preexistent, perfect word of Allah.
- Belief in the last day of judgment and the hereafter: Everyone will be resurrected for judgment into either Paradise or Hell.
- Belief in predestination: Muslims believe Allah has decreed everything that will happen. Muslims testify to Allah’s sovereignty with their frequent phrase, inshallah, meaning, “if God wills.”
With a basic understanding of the Holy Bible, one can see how those six articles of faith are a counterfeit of God’s Word. The Five Pillars of Islam are based on works and again, with a basic understanding of Scripture one will know that works do not grant eternal life. Only by acknowledging the innocent shed blood of Jesus and receiving that free gift of grace can one attain eternal life.
For Christians, these doctrines serve as a reminder of the need to share the gospel. While Islam emphasizes works, Christianity proclaims salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice. As London and Europe witness these shifts, believers must remain steadfast in faith and prayer, remembering that in the end, biblical prophecy will be fulfilled.
The Empty Tomb and the Hope of Christ
Next month, Christians around the world will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The tomb is empty—Jeus is not here. He has risen!
Prophetically, we know in the end times, people will reject the truth and turn to a false doctrine. The world will be deceived and many will fall away. For the first time in its history, we are seeing this in places like London. Europe is turning its back on the Lord and the world is getting closer to that promised end time remnant. However, the Gospel remains unshaken. Our hope is not in cultural traditions, but in the eternal promise of Jesus Christ.
Maranatha, Lord Jesus!
You contradict yourself by stating 1.3 Islam Londoners will be celebrating Ramadan, then a few paragraph’s later state London has a Muslim Pop. of 3.9 mill. Only 1/3 celebrate Ramadan?