Arts centre marks Ramadan with community Iftar

People from across Birmingham who are celebrating Ramadan have been invited to gather to break their fast at a community Iftar.

The multi-faith event will be held at the Midlands Art Centre (MAC) on Monday from 17:15 GMT.

An evening of sharing food and prayers will be free to invited guests and their families.

The art centre has also commissioned local artist and printmaker Haseebah Ali to create a mural inside the building for visitors to enjoy throughout the month.

Ramadan is the most important time in the Islamic calendar, when Muslims fast and refrain from eating or drinking between dawn and sunset.

Muslims also believe it is a time for self-reflection and renewing their faith to Allah, with giving charity, also known as zakat and reciting special evening prayers known as Taraweeh, being an important aspect of the month.

It will be the second year that the MAC has hosted an Iftar to mark the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

The community dinner will be broadcast live on BBC Midlands Today at 18:30 GMT.

During the fast, two meals are eaten - one before the fast begins at dawn known as suhoor and another at sunset known as iftar where families sit together and break their fasts with dates and water.

All adults who are well and fit are obligated to fast during Ramadan, with young children, pregnant woman, elderly and sick people exempted.

During the holy month, mosques open their doors for iftars most days.

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