In total, the Faanoos is due to visit over 250 cities across the globe, with a first stop in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. From there, it will travel around Africa, then on to South East Asia, towards Europe, and then to South Asia before reaching its final destination, Dubai, for the Festival’s opening ceremony. You can follow it's journey here.
The word Faanoos means ‘lantern’ in Arabic. It first captured hearts during the 2016 Jubilee Games, and soon became a source of inspiration as it traversed the world—it even took part in a historic trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Whether scaling great heights or crossing continents, its journey will symbolise the strength, endurance, and unity of the Global Jamat. The design of the Faanoos for the Jubilee Games reflects the principles of unity, flow, and cultural representation:
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Unity: The Faanoos features colours, patterns, and symbols that represent the unity among participants, no matter where they come from.
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Flow: Its dynamic patterns capture movement with curved lines and swirling shapes, conveying energy and rhythm.
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Cultural Representation: The Faanoos pays homage to the host city’s culture, with traditional symbols and architecture, and translations in multiple languages, celebrating diversity.
Traditionally, Faanoos are illuminated in parts of the Muslim world during the month of Ramadan. This practice dates back to the Fatimid period: when the 14th Ismaili Imam journeyed to Cairo, the dark streets would be lit to ease his journey and welcome him. With a spirit of enlightenment and unity, the Faanoos will once again light the path to the Jubilee Games.
“Each detail of the Faanoos has been meticulously crafted to ensure it tells a story, not just through its visual design but also in the experiences it creates,” said Fahim Somani, designer of the Faanoos. “From the moment the light shines bright to its safe passage from hand to hand, the Faanoos will embody the journey of illumination—both literal and metaphorical.”
The lantern is crafted into an iconic curved shape, made from recyclable aluminium engraved with intricate Islamic geometric patterns and the Jubilee Games emblem. Its glow symbolises the ‘Spirit of the Games.’
Its ‘Voronoi’ design is inspired by both the natural world and human experience, creating a meaningful artistic expression. A Voronoi diagram divides a plane into regions based on the distance to specific points In Islamic art, geometric patterns and tessellations resemble Voronoi structures through intricate divisions of space in tiling and lattice work. It symbolises the unity and harmony of creation, reflecting the concept of Tawhid (oneness of God). The repetition and self-similarity of the design evoke the infinite nature of Allah's creation and the intricate beauty of Islamic-inspired art.
We invite everyone to participate in this historic journey. As the Faanoos travels across the globe for the 2025 Roadshow, join your local Jamat to witness its arrival, celebrate its journey, and share in its message of unity. Whether you watch the torch passing through your city or tune in virtually from around the world, you have the opportunity to celebrate unity, sporting ethics, and perseverance. To learn more, and find out when it's scheduled to arrive in your country, visit the Faanoos page.
Let’s come together to light the way to the Jubilee Games in Dubai and carry forward its timeless values of connection and inspiration!