MOSQUES in Blackburn opened their doors to non-Muslims as part of a ‘Taste Ramadan’ event.

The Masjid Al Momineen, on Ash Street, and the Darussalam Education Centre (DEC), on Whalley New Road, took part in the national initiative.

Organisers invited locals from all faiths and none to join them for an evening to learn about Ramadan and enjoy a meal to mark the breaking of the fast.

The Darussalam Education Centre welcomed the new Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Cllr Jim Shorrock and his consort, Mark Joyce, and Cllr Phil Riley.

Visitors were given a tour of the education centre and Mosque before Hafidh Adnan, one of the Imam’s at the centre, addressed attendees with a talk about the importance of the holy month of Ramadan.

The Mosque is situated on the site of the former Seven Trees pub and Cllr Riley reminisced about it being his ‘local’ before it was converted into a religious building.

The cellar is now a fully-refurbished hall where the ladies congregate and hold events such as coffee mornings. The centre prides itself as being a family-friendly Mosque which is open to women and children, Ilyas Foy ­— one of the event co-ordinators ­— ­said.

He added: “This isn’t progressive. This is the way it is meant to be and how it was at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).”

At the Masjid Al Momineen, visitors were welcomed by volunteers and heard from guest speaker Imam Fazal Hassan, who is also the Muslim Chaplain at the ELHT Trust. He said: “It was an honour to address our non-Muslim friends and neighbours at the great community iftaar. The audience were given an insight into why the month of Ramadan is so important for Muslims and why Muslims fast in Ramadan.

“The guests shared in the blessings of Ramadan by experiencing the breaking of fast.

“The feeling of breaking bread together at the time of iftar has a real spirit of social belonging and human togetherness.

“These community iftaars play an important role in building genuine friendship, breaking barriers, and bringing people of different faiths and no faith together to celebrate similarities and respect differences. I hope this friendship between the mosque and its new friends and non-Muslim neighbours continue to flourish making way to remove fear and build trust.”

Guests, including members of the fire service, were invited to break their fast with Muslims.

Attendee Johnny MaGee said: “I felt it was great to see members of the town coming together at this event. It was a unique experience and I would recommend others of any faith to attend if given the opportunity.”