PEOPLE of all faiths joined Friday prayers at the Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford to celebrate the festive season.

Centre director and imam Dr Taj Hargey dedicated yesterday’s prayers and sermon to mark the arrival of Christmas.

Organisers claimed it was the first such event of its kind in the UK.

Guests took part in the Islamic call to prayer and an Islamic sermon and enjoyed English and Middle Eastern food at St Michael and All Angels church hall, Portland Road.

Dr Hargey said: “While Muslims do not celebrate the birth of Jesus in the same manner as Christians, we nevertheless respect Christ and hold him in the highest esteem as one of the most illustrious prophets of Islam.”

Among those who attended was Oxfordshire County Council’s Jamila Azad, who represents St Clement’s and Cowley Marsh.

The Labour councillor said: “It was very good and we were all happy to see Muslims, Christians and all faiths getting together to celebrate Christmas.”