A Reflection of Unity and Tolerance in the World’s Most Diverse City
By Sabah Ahmed
May/Jun 25
Grade 11 high school student Laila Soliman, 16, stumbled upon a TikTok video of Ramadan Lights in London, England last year and was saddened by the absence of such an initiative in her hometown of Toronto, Canada. She thought the creation of something similar in her hometown would serve as a reflection of Toronto’s diversity.
Soliman imagined a brightly lit “Ramadan Mubarak” sign installed in Toronto’s heart showcasing the city’s unique cultural tapestry. She knew if she could be successful in realizing her idea, it would be the first initiative of its kind in the city. One year later, on March 1, 2025, her vision came to fruition.
The installation, the first of its kind in Canada, serves as a symbol of inclusion and hope and reflects the power of youth-led efforts. It shows that the beauty of Toronto lies in its various ethnic and faith-based communities.
“This installation is for everyone in this city,” she said. “For Muslims, it is meant to add comfort and warmth during Ramadan, reminding them of their unique identity. For non-Muslims, it is an effort to showcase the values of Ramadan and welcome them to learn more about Islam. We want to spread a message of unity and peace.”
Toronto is home to nearly 10% of Canada’s Muslims and is known for its inclusivity and multiculturalism. Yet despite a significant Muslim population, the city lacked such a visible representation of its Islamic community.
“[Toronto] is a beautiful city,” said Soliman. “Out of all the cities in the world, Toronto is the perfect place to install such a sign.”
Along with highlighting the city’s rich heritage, she wanted the sign to bring comfort and happiness to Torontonians during Ramadan. She knew it would be no easy task, but she was determined.
Soliman started by partnering with young Muslims from the Toronto Muslim Youth Council (TMYC) and high school students across the Greater Toronto Area. Soon, she had a dedicated group who played a key role in transforming the idea into reality. Together, they helped bring her idea to life. “This was a chance for youth to work together and create something positive for the entire community,” she said. “I knew that the team had the grit to achieve this goal despite several challenges.”
The second step was to work closely with Toronto city officials, many of whom wholeheartedly supported her vision. “The officials were very cooperative,” she shares. “We connected with the mayor’s team. They immediately saw the positive impact [this installation would bring] and were willing to turn my vision into reality,” she said.
While the city was supportive of the project, Soliman and her team had to overcome some bureaucratic hurdles like securing an insurance plan valued at $5 million. “It was one of the most complicated aspects of the process, and we were lucky to get it approved through a local company,” she said. Little by little, Soliman and her dedicated team were able to fulfill the initial requirements and raise an additional $27,000 through a crowdfunding campaign.
“It was delightful to see support from all these different communities within Toronto,” she said. “People understood our vision. They knew this wasn’t just lighting up a sign for Muslims. It was about representation, about visibility, and about celebrating the values of Ramadan in a way that is inclusive and welcoming to all.” She credited all Torontonians, Muslim and non-Muslim, for their support in reaching the goal.
Once the budget was secure, there were other logistical concerns to focus on such as the safety of the installation and a persistent problem with the light-up aspect of the sign. “We had planned for it to be illuminated, but due to some technical reasons, it did not happen this time,” Soliman said. “We are working on this, and are quite hopeful that next year the installation will be brightly lit.”
Beyond finances and logistics, there was another major challenge: ensuring that the initiative was received in the right way. “We wanted to make sure our message was clear. This was about unity and our community, not politics,” Soliman said. “We wanted everyone, Muslim or not, to see this as a positive contribution to our city, the most diverse in the world. We want all Torontonians to know that Ramadan is about tolerance and opening our hearts for others.”
Soliman said that the entire journey from initial idea to installation took about a year. “I started planning during Ramadan last year soon after I saw the TikTok,” she said, “and we’ve been working non-stop ever since. It has not been an easy journey, but seeing the sign up in downtown Toronto is very rewarding.”
While the sign makes Soliman and her team proud of their accomplishment, they know their job isn’t done yet. “We definitely want to light up the sign next year,” Soliman said with a smile. “We are also considering placing signs in other prominent locations [around Toronto], possibly around Yonge Street. We want to make this an annual tradition, something Torontonians would look forward to every year.”
Soliman hopes the project will serve as a reminder for young people that hard work leads to success. She believes it can motivate them to mobilize their communities for the greater good. “I want young people to know that their voices matter and that they have the ability to change narratives,” she said. “This project started as a simple idea, but through teamwork and determination, we made it happen. Imagine what else we can do if we continue working together.”
Sabah Ahmed is a journalist, producer, and writer specializing in global policies, social justice, and in-depth investigations with a focus on human rights and power dynamics.
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