DOZENS of people from all backgrounds got to take a look at what Islam is all about at a special open day yesterday.

The Noorul Islam Mosque in Audley Range, Blackburn, and the Masjid Ibrahim in Burnley both opened their doors for Visit My Mosque Day.

Visitors observed prayers, listened to recitations from the holy Koran and enjoyed a feast while reading about all aspects of the faith from a display.

Mufti Ashraf Sidat, secretary general and principal of Noorul Islam Mosque, said: “This day is all about fostering good relations.

“Lots of people will drive or walk past a mosque and think ‘what are they teaching there?’ Some people think it’s extremism but it is absolutely not.

“You cannot profess to be a Muslim if you are harmful to others. If someone was hungry and your belly was full and you didn’t help them, you would not sleep as a Muslim.

“I think people find that coming to this open day gets rid of preconceptions and allows people to how much we actually all have in common.”

Across the country 150 religious institutions took part in the event.

Daniel Hughes and Kate Simpson came from Kendal, where many Muslims went to help them when Cumbria was hit by flooding in 2015.

Miss Simpson said: “We thought it was wonderful what the Muslim community did for us at the time, so we wanted to come here to find out more about them.

“We just couldn’t believe how many people showed up. We felt like it was an expression of solidarity to come.”

Tony Richardson, 75, from Ormskirk, said: “We visited a mosque in Liverpool last year but this time we wanted to come to a more traditional looking mosque and the Noorul Islam Mosque is very striking.

“It’s great that there’s that invitation and we thought it only right to accept it.

“I used to live in Accrington as a young boy and I can’t believe how much it has changed.

“The display which explained different aspects of the faith was particularly fantastic.”