The Muslim community in Southampton has come together to celebrate Iftar - marking the halfway point through Ramadan.

Organised by the Muslim Council of Southampton, hundreds of Islamic brothers and sisters - and guests - gathered at the Medina Mosque on Compton Walk to break their fast at sundown.

The celebration of Iftar starts when the call to prayer is heard, marking the end of the day's fast.

During Sunday night's celebration, Muslim brothers at the Medina Mosque ate a mix of traditional Iftar cuisine such as dates and samosas as well as rice, pizza and chicken wings.

(Image: NQ) Chair of the Muslim Council of Southampton, Parvin Damani, said: “Ramadan is a really important month in the Islamic year and it’s an instruction from God too fast.

“One of the reasons that we fast is to understand the plight of those people who have nothing and cannot get food or water.

“It’s also very good for your health and very spiritual - it’s not just about fasting it’s about your attitude and behaviour.

“For our community is a period of kindness and harmony amongst one another.”

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The meal is enjoyed inside the mosque and while sitting on the floor - reflecting the Islamic values of modesty and gratitude.

After breaking the fast, the group perform the Maghrib prayer, which is one of the five daily prayers.

(Image: NQ) Parvin added: “On Saturday, it was the international day to combat Islamophobia - but how can we do this for our community here in Southampton?

“One of the ways we do this is by inviting people outside of our community to join us and celebrate Iftar - that way there is intercultural and multi faith dialogue that will help us create peace and understand each other.

“There are no winners in conflict, and we need to make sure that our children grow up with security and stability in a peaceful environment.

“We are always facing the stereotype that Muslims are terrorists and by doing things like we have here today we are breaking down that stereotype.

“This year, Ramadan started on February 28 and lasts 30 days.”

Also joining in on the meal was Lord Mayor of Southampton, Cllr Dave Shields, and former MP for Southampton Test, Alan Whitehead.

Cllr Shields said: “Celebrating all our amazing cultures in Southampton is so important for me – in these troubled times when there is so much division, its so good to come together.”