Ramadan launch organised by ISRA UK charity takes place in Sparkbrook, Birmingham

Muslims across Birmingham are set to begin observing the month of Ramadan.

An annual commemoration of their prophet's first revelation, it's an important period for those of the Islamic faith. I went along to a launch gathering ahead of the start over in Sparkbrook.

Saraya Hussain, Managing Director of ISRA UK, said: “We're here today at the Ramadan Launch for ISRA UK. We're also celebrating our 40th anniversary. We're a Birmingham based charity.

"We've been operating for the last four decades. So in the city of Birmingham, we've probably got around about over 340,000 Muslims. We created this event today just as a way for people to be together and celebrate the start of Ramadan. Certainly with a lot of the things that are going on in the world at the moment, it's a difficult time for a lot of people, particularly those from the Muslim background. So it's just a way of trying to bring people together to mark the beginning of Ramadan.”

Today is a celebration ahead of the start of Ramadan on Sunday - the ninth month in the Islamic calendar which is considered the holiest period of worship for those of the Islamic faith. It lasts twenty-nine to thirty days - from the sighting of the crescent moon to the next - and is observed through a strong adherence to and celebration of the values that make up the teachings of the religion.

Riaz Mohammed, Chair of Trustees for ISRA UK says: “There's a lot of emphasis on giving. There's a lot of emphasis on helping others, especially during this month. So you try and concentrate on as many good actions as you can. All the mosques are full five times a day. You see this a very long night prayer as well. At the end of which is Eid, which is a big celebration for the end of Ramadan.

"Birmingham has a significantly large population of those identifying as Muslim compared to the rest of the UK with those practising the faith hailing from across the world. There are over 200 mosques in the city which will all be observing this important period - affirming their own relationship to the faith while also offering outreach to the wider population of this highly diverse city."

Saraya Hussain added: “Ramadan is traditionally known as the month of mercy. So it's an opportunity for people to be able to come together, reflect on themselves, become a little bit more disciplined, a little bit more spiritual as well. It's also an opportunity because you spend the day fasting from, you know, dawn till dusk.

"It's an opportunity that when it comes to breaking fast, you're able to come together, share food with your loved ones, neighbours, don't necessarily have to be Muslim. So it's a way of bringing people together as well, which I think is a really, really beautiful thing and certainly reflective of the city of Birmingham and how multicultural and diverse we are.”