Faith leaders from across Greater Manchester have met this evening to mark the beginning of Eid.

Prominent figures from the city’s Christian, Hindu, Jewish and Sikh community met at Manchester Central Mosque on Tuesday evening to help Muslim’s celebrate the end of Ramadan - a month of fasting - and the beginning of the festival of Eid.

Among those attending the meeting were Bishop of Manchester David Walker, as well as members from the city’s other faith groups.

Imam Irfan Chishti, from the Rusholme mosque, said: “During this month of Ramadan, Muslims in the UK and around the world have been fasting from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Each day Manchester Central Mosque has fed approximately 500 people from different faiths and backgrounds including homeless people of Manchester.

“Tonight we are honoured to have with us the Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, to join us in breaking the fast together with Jewish, Hindu and Sikh faith leaders.”

Naseer Ahmed, President of Manchester Central Mosques, added: “During these increasingly challenging times, it is important that different faiths come together to show how we are all working to overcome difficult but common challenges including the protection of minority rights to worship and also to highlight how values central to faiths such as respect, dignity and love can and does inspire the faithful to sacrifice what is dear to them, to deliver hope, justice and peace in the world we live in.

"This is also in a large part one of the key messages has been during this Ramadan.”

Qadir Ahmed, chair of Manchester Council of Mosques, said: “Ramadan is a time when we have reflected on our lives and prepared ourselves for the future to live a righteous life in service to Allah which involves working for common humanity. We would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and joyous Eid celebration."