Hundreds of people are to join Muslims at one of Western Europe’s biggest mosques to take part in the breaking of the fast in Islam’s holiest month, Ramadan.

Millions of British Muslims are fasting from dawn to dusk, raising funds for charity and inviting friends and neighbours to open the fast with a meal that is part of the tradition of Islam.

The breaking of the fast, with dates, is followed by prayers and a meal, known as Iftar.

Rafiq Hayat, President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK said:

“We are inviting our friends and neighbours in the spirit of brotherhood. Fostering a cohesive society is at the core of Islamic belief, and reaching out to others in the spirit of fraternity is what the Big Iftar aims to achieve.”

“Some non-Muslims will also have fasted for the day – so for them opening the fast will have a special resonance as it serves to highlight the importance of faith in strengthening one’s link with God and with others around us.”

“Our worldwide leader, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, has stressed that Ramadan serves as a timely reminder that the true calling of Islam is to live at peace with God, with oneself and with one another.”

The event is being organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK which has been established in Britain for over a century.

Ramadan is the month in which the Holy Quran was revealed via the angel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The Holy Quran exhorts people to reform themselves so that they become closer to God and play a better and more positive role in society.

The Big Iftar is a national initiative promoting neighbourliness and the strengthening of community relations.