LONDON

Little Amal, a giant puppet representing a Syrian refugee girl, visited London on Sunday in an event attended by hundreds of people.

She led a walk from Somers Town to Granary Square.

The 3.5-meter (12-foot) tall puppet led a parade of Ramadan-inspired lanterns accompanied by traditional Arabic drumming.

Speaking at the event, Camden Council Leader Georgia Gould pointed out the message carried by Little Amal.

"Little Amal is a global symbol of hope and a reminder of the children and adults who have had to flee violence, devastation and war to find safety," she noted.

No one should be blamed for seeking asylum and safe, legal avenues for people seeking protection should be kept open, said Gould, criticizing the government's latest asylum policy.

"All who have met her (through Walk With Amal), share a duty to speak up for those who do not have a voice. She calls on all of us to embrace our shared humanity and what connects us," she added.

On Thursday, Amal led a another walk along Brighton Beach and met children and families who have sought safety and asylum in the UK.

Inspired by a character in the play "The Jungle" by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, Little Amal was created by The Walk Productions and Good Chance in collaboration with the Handspring Puppet Company.

Since the beginning of her journey in 2021 in Türkiye, Little Amal has travelled through more than 85 cities and been welcomed at more than 240 unique events, reaching an estimated 1 million people along the route of 13 countries she has visited.