MOSQUES across Bradford will open their doors later this month and welcome people of all faiths – or none – to take a look around.

Organised by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), the national initiative will see more than 200 mosques across the UK take part.

The MCB says open days have been held for many years, but the Visit My Mosque day is an opportunity for these to be held on the same day.

The initiative began in February 2015, when around 20 mosques took part and due to popular demand it ran again the following year.

In 2016, it expanded to more than 80 mosques, with places of worship in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland taking part.

Last year, this figure rose to more than 150.

The Muslim Council of Britain said the day is “planned to continue as an initiative attracting more mosques and visitors each year and shining a spotlight on how mosques are positively shaping their local communities”.

It aims to encourage all mosques in Britain to hold an open day at least one day per year, as well as foster better community relations and community cohesion.

The MCB says it also hopes the day will lead to a more “enlightened appreciation” of Islam and Muslims in wider society and celebrate the charitable, outreach and social action projects which take place in mosques.

A number of mosques in Bradford are to take part and it is hoped as many people as possible will get involved.

Rifaqat Ali, secretary of the Madni Masjid, West Bowling, which is taking part in the day, is encouraging people to find their nearest mosque. He said: “Some people may have different perceptions of what a mosque is – last year five opened in Bradford and we thought it would be good to get a few more to take part.

“We want people to be able to come to all places of worship and just feel comfortable and get to know about each other’s faiths, to get a better understanding about how they are feeling and what their views are.”

The event will be held on February 18 and the following mosques will be taking part:

Madni Masjid, Newton Street, West Bowling, from 1pm until 4pm. Masjid Doha, Shearbridge, with times to be confirmed. Abu Bakr Masjid, Steadman Terrace, off Leeds Road, from 12.20pm until 5pm. Masjid Quba, Manningham, from 10am until 2pm, Jamia Masjid Keighley, Bradford Road, Keighley, from noon until 3pm. Jamia Tabligh ul Islam Masjid, Hilton Road, Lidget Green, from 1pm until 4pm. Al Huda Masjid, Legrams Lane, Lidget Green, from 2pm until 4pm, Masjid at-Taqwa, Great Horton Road, from 1.30pm until 3.30pm, Al Hikam Institute, Bull Royd Lane, from 1.30pm until 3.30pm and the Al-Mustafa Centre, Kensington Street, Girlington, with a time still to be decided.