ILFORD – Hundreds of people gathered outside an Ilford mosque to break their Ramadan fasting at sunset with a communal meal on Sunday.

“It was an amazing experience – a real buzz,” said one of the mosques’ trustees Bashir Patel, 37, Ilford Recorder reported.

“We wanted to celebrate the month of Ramadan with the wider community and show them some of the good food we eat.”

Muslim worshippers lined the road outside Balfour Road Mosque with intricate carpets and invited neighbors of all faiths to share an Iftar meal with them on Sunday, June 10.

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. It started in North America on Wednesday, May 16.

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

Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to become closer to Allah through prayer, self-restraint, and good deeds.

After breaking their fast, eating fruit and dates, attendants had a meat stew popular in the Indian subcontinent, known as Haleem.

Last week, thousands gathered for a similar community iftar in Bristol, sharing the spirits of the holy month with the whole community.