COUNCILLORS, civic heads, police and fire service representatives were among those attending an open day at Keighley's Madinah Mosque.

The Spencer Street property was open to all last Sunday (Nov 16) for a five-hour session, which featured information panels, a presentation, a question and answer slot, food and refreshments.

93-year-old Fred Williams, attending the occasion with his son Roy, said this was the first time in his life that he had been inside a mosque, adding he was impressed by the discipline involved in adhering to the Muslim routine of five daily prayers.

Mosque member Mohammed Sajid said: "It's been an absolute pleasure to meet people like Fred and to show them around. Many of the people who've come today haven't been in a mosque before."

Nasim Ashraf, who delivered a presentation to the guests, said: "We are trying to deliver the message that God gives us diversity and we turn it into division.

"We have to get back to basics and bring people together. Let's focus on commonalities rather than on what our differences are."

The day was organised by the mosque's head of community relations, Adnan Mehmood. "It's been fantastic, we've had an amazing turn out," he said.