A Cardiff mosque is opening its doors to non-Muslims to share meals during Ramadan .

The Dar Ul-Isra Mosque in Cardiff will serve free evening meals as part of a project with the Bridges for Communities charity, which works to increase understanding about faiths.

Following the Manchester attack it is even more important communities get to know each other, said Mohammed Alamgir from the mosque in Wyeverne Road.

Visitors and members at Dar Ul-Isra mosque in Cardiff

“The Sharing Ramadan meals are now in their sixth year here but horrific events that took place just four hours away show the importance of having such opportunities to bring communities together.

“It reminds us that those who commit acts of violence and indiscriminate murder belong to no faith.

“The Quran teaches Muslims that ‘to save one life is as if to save all of humanity and to slay one life is as if you have slayed all of humanity’.

“I know similar verses are echoed in the holy books and scriptures of other faith groups.

“It was beautiful to hear taxi drivers and hoteliers helping those affected and people lining up to give blood for the victims in Manchester and we hope that the people of Cardiff use Sharing Ramadan as an opportunity to come together in these challenging times.”

University Hospital of Wales nurse and mother of three Sarah Evans, who helps organise the programme with husband Mark for Bridges for Communities, said there is space for around 150 people to come to meals running over three weeks from Monday May 29, but half have already gone.

Sarah Evans from Bridges for Communities charity with her Muslim convert friend Amanda Morris, pictured holding Sarah's baby

“Our aim is a more cohesive society by bringing people into contact with different faiths,” Sarah, who is a Christian but became interested in Islam after working in Jordan, said.

“All our events centre around food because sharing a meal is a powerful way to bring people together and an ice breaker.

“Sitting down and eating together is something we can do in common.”

One visitor who shared the meal last year said: “I was very nervous before as i was unsure what to expect.

“There has been a lot of negative press around the Muslim faith which made me feel uneasy a little if I’m being honest.

“However straight away I was made to feel comfortable and welcomed.

“It was completely not what I was expecting or the perception I had built so it was great to see it for what it really is and challenge my thoughts.

“Mo and his brothers were great hosts and I found the discussions very interesting and insightful.”

Another visitor said: “We live in Roath , just off City Road, so Ramadan is very much apparent to us, and it was nice to get a greater understanding of something that is a big part of the community we live in.”

The mosque, in Cathays , estimates it will serve thousands of free meals during the holy month when Muslims fast during daylight hours and then come together to eat at sunset.

Volunteers will serve food when the fast ends from 8pm to 10pm each night.

The free meals run three times a week from May 29 to June 14 and places must be booked.

For more information and to book visitv www.bridgesforcommunities.com

Pupils at an open day for schools at the Dar Ul-Isra mosque in Cardiff

What and when is Ramadan?

Observant Muslims do not eat or drink between sunrise and sundown during the holy month of Ramadan.

Like Easter, dates run on a lunar calendar and change each year. This year Ramadan began on Friday, May 26, and ends on Saturday, June 24.

The month is also a time of reflection and prayer.

Fit and able adults are expected to fast, but children, the elderly people, pregnant, breastfeeding and menstruating women, or anyone who is sick or travelling are exempt.

Ramadan ends with Eid ul Fitr, a celebration to mark the end of the fast.