A COMMUNITY Iftar was held in Stanford-le-Hope Mosque yesterday (Thursday, 13 March).

Iftar is the name of the meal eaten by Muslims at sunset to break their fast during Ramadan. It is the main meal of the day for those who are fasting.

The Iftar was attended by Inspector Adam Bowden of Thurrock Community Policing Team ans his colleague Sgt Sadik Miah, Fr David Rollins, United Benefice of Corringham & Fobbing, Kim Towlson, Chair of Thurrock Association of Forums, and Roger Passfield, Chair of Thurrock Neighbourhood Watch.

Representatives of Grays Park and Tilbury Mosques, QAG's Foundation, Thurrock Hindu, Bosnian, Kurdish and other Communities and local businessmen were also present.

Chair of Thurrock Muslim Centre and Stanford-le-Hope Mosque, Dr Siraj Ali,welcomed the guests and said: "I thank everyone for joining us today at the Community Iftar. We are providing an opportunity for everyone to visit and celebrate Ramadan with us."

Thurrock Cllr Qaisar Abbas said: "It was good to see people from different backgrounds and Police officers at the Community Iftar. This is a true example of community cohesion. Events like this provide a platform for people to make new friends and foster community ties."

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and begins and ends with new moon sighting. In Ramadan, the eligible Muslims fast from pre dawn to sun set. The people with medical conditions are exempt from fasting.