On Bank Holiday Monday, 2nd May 2022, at the spectacular Landing Forty-Two on the 42nd floor of the Cheesegrater, we hosted a Chand Raat event with a fulsome feast over London's skyline at sunset.

We have thrown many Iftar and Eid celebrations over the years. From small get-togethers in the basement of Dishoom Covent Garden and an entirely halal street food event at Dinerama, to a big outdoor bash on Lewis Cubitt Square in King’s Cross, attended by 2000 guests. This time was slightly different as we celebrated Chand Raat, when the sighting of the new moon marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

The meaning of Chand Raat

Chand Raat (the night of the moon) is the evening or moment the first crescent moon of the month is observed. It marks the end of Ramadan, a period of fasting, prayer and reflection, and the start of Eid, the beginning of great festivities – and of course, the copious amounts of delicious food that comes with them.

The evening is filled with last-minute visits to tailors, adding the finishing touches to the brand-new outfits customarily worn at Eid; a trip to the barber may also be in order. The atmosphere buzzes with the chatter of cousins and friends decorating one another’s hands with intricate henna patterns; the air is scented with seductive aromas emanating from the kitchen, as the Eid feast is prepared.

Dishoom's Chand Raat Event

Our event invited people from all faiths and walks of life, whether fasting or not, to come together for a unique feast overlooking the city skyline at sunset. All proceeds from the event went to our long-term charity partner, The Akshaya Patra Foundation in India, honouring the Islamic tradition of zakat (charitable giving), which is central to Ramadan.

A huge heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, our co-founders Shamil and Kavi Thakrar, and Executive Chef Naved Nasir for an evening of celebration, first-class food and music. At the prescribed times for sunset, fast was broken together over thalis of delicious snacks against a backdrop of the sweeping city view. The call to prayer was led by Hassen Rasool, a leading spiritual vocalist, after which all were seated at long sharing tables for a communal feast of sumptuous Dishoom dishes. Our headline performance from Chand Ali Khan Qawwal & Party, a renowned group specialising in the sacred art form of qawwali music had everyone clapping along. A truly special time was had by all.

Eid Mubarak!