Sir Sadiq Khan has got a new look.
London’s mayor showed off a new buzz cut hairstyle on the opening day of the SXSW London festival.
Sir Sadiq took the podium to deliver an opening address at the week-long cultural event on Monday.
The mayor, 55, shaved off his neatly coiffed grey hair as he joined more than 1.5million Muslims in Mecca in the Hajj pilgrimage last month.
The shaving of the head, or Halq, is a ritual that marks the end of Ihram during Hajj. It symbolises humility, equality, and leaving the ego behind.
South by Southwest is fuelled by a spirit of collaboration and restless pursuit for progress - the same spirit that fuels our capital city.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) June 1, 2026
Great to have the energy and innovation of #SXSWLondon back in Shoreditch for a second year. pic.twitter.com/aOuVtxMBeq
The London mayor shared pictures of the experience on social media, saying he was “truly honoured and blessed to have performed Hajj”.
He wrote: “Truly honoured and blessed to be able to perform Hajj this year, Alhamdulillah. (Praise be to God)
“Hajj is a profoundly life-changing journey symbolising equality, unity and our collective humanity.
Standing in the state of ihram - a simple unstitched garment - with so many millions of pilgrims from right across the world is a beautiful reminder of how we are all equal before God.
“Hajj in its essence symbolises humility, forgiveness and rebirth through self-improvement. It is not just about the physical rituals - which has many challenges in the hot desert heat – but also the spiritual journey which is a once in a lifetime opportunity to reflect and engage with faith on a much deeper level.I will of course be remembering all those in need in London and around the world in my prayers and duas.”
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