MOSQUES in Gwent will open their doors this weekend to help build on community relations. 

On Sunday, various sites will open up to residents and offer tours, workshops and talks about what happens within their walls as part of Visit My Mosque Day. 

Newport's Iqra Community Centre, in Corporation Road, and the Jamia mosque, in Commercial Road, are among those taking part. The Berea Masjid in Blaina is another.
This is the fourth year the event has been held.

The Muslim Council Wales says it has been keen to get more mosques involved this year, following the case of Cardiff man Darren Osborne case, who was found guilty of and attempted murder after driving his van into worshippers outside outside two mosques in north London shortly after 12.15am on June 19 last year.

A spokesman for the council said: “Muslims get a lot of bad press and much of the faiths practices such as the headscarf for women and halal diets are misunderstood. 

“This is the perfect opportunity to just go ask the questions, the Imam’s and mosque management team are on hand to answer any question thrown at them and they have assured us that no question is taboo.”

Participating mosques will also be offering tea, coffee and refreshments and members of the public can simply turn up during the specified times.

No special dress code is needed, but people are asked to bear in mind that mosques are active places of worship both men and women should ensure legs and arms are covered and clothing is not tight.

A full list of participating mosques can be found at muslimcouncilwales.org.uk/visit-mosque-day-2018.