THE MUSLIM call to prayer rang out for the first time in public in Southampton.

Every year during Ramadan Muslims across the world fast from dawn until sunset devoting themselves to their faith.

At 1.30pm on Friday the call to prayer was played from the Medina Mosque in Compton Walk to mark the last Friday of Ramadan.

However, this year the holy month has been impacted by coronavirus.

Southampton's Muslim community has closed its mosques due to the outbreak, but prayers are still taking place at home digitally.

General secretary for the Muslim Council of Southampton, Rashid Islam said: "The message is to stay at home. The mosques have been closed during the pandemic.

"We have been working tirelessly and the Muslim community has come together to support each other.

"Other cities across the UK have been holding call to prayers so we decided to ask permission from the city council."

The call to prayer on Friday was to help the community feel "uplifted" during the health crisis and to act as a unified voice.

On Sunday Southampton's Muslim community will celebrate Eid al-Fitr the 'Festival of Breaking the Fast'.

It is a religious holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.

In normal circumstances every Friday Muslims would normally gather at the mosque for prayers, and during Ramadan, their fast is broken each day with friends, family and neighbours.

The Muslim Council of Southampton "promotes unity within Southampton’s vibrant and diverse Muslim community and to offer a forum where any ideas, developments or concerns can be raised in an open, friendly and attentive manner".