AN open day staged by East Lancashire’s mosques is believed to be the most successful yet.

Six locations across Blackburn, Burnley and Nelson were selected to take part in the annual Visit My Mosque day today.

Hundreds took part in a range of activities designed to foster a greater understanding of the Islamic faith.

Abdul Hamid Qureshi, chairman of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, said: “For most of the mosques taking part, it was their first time being involved.

“The response we have had from other faith communities, councillors, the Army and the police has been fantastic.

“I think it is a beautiful initiative. A lot of mosques in Blackburn have been hosting food banks and raising money for East Lancashire Hospice and the hospital.”

Faz Patel, the Blackburn-based northern co-ordinator for the initiative, said: “It is all about breaking down barriers and building bridges.

“We have a had a great turnout across East Lancashire. There has been some tough questions regarding cohesion and extremism which we have been able to address.”

Noreen Hamid, headteacher at Blackburn’s Palm Tree Nursery, added: “There has been a number of questions about the position of women in Islam and why mosques are so important to Muslims.”

Ilyas Foy, who attends the Darussalam education centre in Whalley New Road, said: “We see ourselves as a family-friendly mosque because we have proper facilities for both men and women. We have a youth club every week where children can play table tennis and practice archery.”

An exhibition, ‘Discover Islam’, was staged and there was also henna painting and an Arabic writing demonstrations.

Mosques in Troy Street, Chester Street and Audley Range, Blackburn, Clegg Street, Burnley, and Forest Street, Nelson, also took part.