LONDON – The leader of the British Labour party, Jeremy Corbyn, joined Muslims in Al-Manaar Mosque, West London, Monday, June 4, in an iftar meal to mark the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

“It was a pleasure to help prepare food at Al-Manaar Mosque for this evening’s Iftar, the moment at the end of a day of fasting during Ramadan when people come together to share a meal,” Corbyn wrote on Facebook.

“It’s just a mile from Grenfell Tower and worshippers here were among the first to respond to last year’s tragic fire. They continue to provide for the community and have opened a Grenfell counselling service.”

The Labour leader was speaking after an evening iftar meal with Muslims at al-Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre in Westbourne Park.

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.

In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.

After sharing iftar, Corbyn urged an inquiry into allegations of Islamophobia within the Conservative party.

The Tories have been under pressure since the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) called for an investigation, highlighting a range of claims including candidates and other representatives allegedly having far-right connections or sending offensive tweets.

The Labour leader backed calls for an investigation on Monday night after home secretary Sajid Javid rejected the proposition of an inquiry, which gained support from Conservative peer Sayeeda Warsi.

“I think if there are allegations made then an inquiry should be held and it should be addressed and it should be dealt with,” Corbyn told the Press Association at a west London mosque, The Guardian reported.

“Islamophobia, as with antisemitism, as with any other form of racism, has no place whatsoever in our society or in any of our political parties. Nobody should be condoning it, nobody should be hiding it, everybody should be exposing it.”

He highlighted reported rises of Islamophobic hate crimes, and added: “Let’s dedicate ourselves, during Ramadan, to say we will drive out Islamophobia from our society.”