A theatre company will premiere its new play intended to dispel myths about Islam in Bradford this weekend before embarking on a tour of Yorkshire.

Keighley-based Arakan Creative obtained funding from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation last year to use art to tackle issues like ‘Islamophobia’ in West Yorkshire. One strand of its work is an ambitious stage show that deals with anti-Islamic sentiment throughout history.

After performing Spread by the Word in the New Bradford Playhouse on Saturday night, the group will take the production to Halifax, Leeds, Huddersfield and Wakefield in May.

Set in seventh century Mecca and Medina, the play deals with the period after the Prophet Muhammad’s death, and the early days of Islam.

The group, which specialises in portraying issues within the South Asian community, has called the play its most ambitious yet, and hopes to present the truth behind often misunderstood sides to Islam and the Qur’an, including ideas like Sharia.

Arakan is one of several groups throughout Yorkshire funded by the Foundation to help deal with racial injustice and Islamophobia.

Artistic director Connor Ibrahiem said: “Real change cannot happen unless the heart is willing, but a lot of people are not willing. The play deals with issues like how Muslims treat non-Muslims and Sharia law, issues a lot of people have misconceptions about. It is a mix of factual characters and stories from history. We are highlighting how these issues have been misunderstood. It will hopefully dispel some myths about Islam.

“Many of the issues dealt with then, we still deal with today. Crucially, we address the notion that Islam was ‘spread by the sword’, which of course is not true.”

The Foundation chose to fund the group with £87,000 over three years as part of its West Yorkshire Racial Justice programme because of its efforts to break down the racial divides in many areas of Bradford and Keighley.

Arakan’s previous plays have dealt with issues like extremism, and it has received praise for its work in bringing the community together.

Inspector Zahid Khan, chairman of the West Yorkshire Association of Muslim Police, said: “They are making a real effort to improve the understanding and awareness of Islam by tackling cultural issues such as forced marriages. They are using a very creative and visual approach, which is very effective and which has a positive impact on the community.”

Future projects of the group, which is based in Central Hall, Keighley, include short films tackling similar subjects.

Tickets for the family-friendly production cost £4 and it starts at 7pm. For tickets call (01274) 308 727 or visit thenewbradfordplayhouse.co.uk