HUNDREDS gathered at Swindon Mosque to celebrate Ramadan.

Guests including Mayor of Swindon Junab Ali and Mayor of Highworth Julia Bishop watched a presentation explaining the history, meaning and practices of the Muslim month of fasting.

Then, after a short question-and-answer session, guests joined worshippers in breaking their fast by tucking into a buffet of dates and Indian cuisine.

Mayor Ali said: "It was a brilliant evening.

"The whole thing was about de-mystifying Islam and Ramadan so that people can be more informed, open-minded and tolerant of their friends and neighbours.

"I think it's enriched everybody who came.

"If they had any negative feelings or prejudices, those are gone now.

"We started off with 50 guests and by the time we broke our fast there were 200 people there, it was pretty hectic.

"I think all the guests who came found it really interesting."

Mayor Bishop said: "It was really interesting, I enjoyed every minute of it.

"We were given such a warm welcome and I'd never been in a mosque before.

"There were a lot of people there wearing beautiful traditional dress and we were privileged to see the call to prayer.

"I think what Junab's doing is a real positive, it's absolutely fantastic.

"It was a really lovely event, he was very gracious and I thanked him for inviting me.

"I'm a Christian and I think it's very important to understand, respect and accept other cultures and religions."

Every day during the month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking, having sex, and smoking from dawn until dusk.

Mayor Ali added: "Ramadan is the month where the Qu'ran was first revealed, it's one of the five pillars of Islam.

"It's a month of mercy and charity, and we fast to understand how other members of society feel, to become more human.

"One young person at the presentation described Ramadan as an MOT for your body - cleansing it physically, mentally and spiritually.

"That's actually quite a good way of putting it."

"This mosque is not just for Muslims, it's for the community and the town, everyone's welcome.

"It's important that it;'s open to all and there's no mystery about any religious place of worship, they should be readily accessible to everyone."