CHRISTIANS from across Oxford are being invited to break bread with the city’s Muslim community today.

Dr Taj Hargey, an Imam and the director of the Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford, has invited Christians to celebrate the festive period by coming to prayers at Summertown Hall in Banbury Road.

His sermon, or khutbah, will focus on the connectivity between Islam and Christianity.

He said: “This is being organised by forward-looking and progressive Muslims to invite our Christian friends to pay tribute to them as they prepare for Christmas.

“By breaking bread together we will develop a better understanding of each other.

“Everyone is welcome, even if you are an athiest. This is the first time this has been done in the UK.”

The event will begin with the Adhan, or call to prayer, followed by individual prayers and benediction.

Dr Hargey will give his sermon and there will be congregational prayers with a translation.

While Muslims do not celebrate Christmas in the same way as Christians, they consider Jesus to be an important prophet and he is mentioned more times in the Koran than Muhammed.

The event, which begins at noon, will be followed by a Christmas lunch.