The imam of Southport Mosque, Shaykh Ibrahim Hussein was the special guest at an interfaith dinner in Preston.

Hosted by the Light Foundation the 7th Interfaith Iftar dinner aimed to inspire attendees on the ‘importance of community and turning strangers into friends’ this year.

During last summer Shaykh Ibrahim Hussein had been trapped in the Southport Islamic Society Mosque as it came under attack during the riots.

He has since toured other mosques and events locally to share messages of peace and understanding.

A Light Foundation spokesperson said: “As well as thanking the wonderful community of Preston and beyond for their amazing support, we would like to take this opportunity to extend our immense gratitude to the many local and national leaders in faith, education, politics, care sector, emergency services, and those representing key professional backgrounds, who accepted our invitation to join us for an evening of delicious food and friendship

We were joined many local and national leaders who accepted our invitation to join us for an evening of delicious food and friendship.”

Special guests at the event held at the Quakers Friends Meeting House in Deepdale, included MP for the Ribble Valley, Maya Ellis, The Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, Clive Grunshaw, The Mayor of Preston, Cllr Phil Crowe, The Bishop of Blackburn, The Rt Reverend Philip North and representatives from the University of Central Lancashire, Lancashire County Council and Lancashire Police.