LANCASHIRE’S Muslim community has raised an estimated £7m for charity during Ramadan.

More than 100 senior leaders will gather at an event in Blackburn tonight to celebrate the fundraising effort.

The money will be used to support humanitarian aid in Syria, Iraq and Gaza, alongside £600 million which has been pledged by the Government’s Department for International Development.

Tonight’s event, in the Shahi Qilah Banqueting Centre, Shear Bank Road, has been organised by Lancashire Council of Mosques and Faith Associates, a non-theological organisation which works with ethnic minority faith-based communities across the UK.

Guests will include senior North West Imams, scholars and community leaders as well as the Charity Commission.

Abdul Hamid Qureshi, chair of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, said: “Our Islamic belief compels us to support the needy irrespective of their creed or faith.This event is to say thank you to the Mosque leaders for supporting the communities’ charitable efforts and encouraging them to give in a safe way.”

The money raised is part of a larger estimated £100m donated by British Muslims in Ramadan.

Shaukat Warraich, from Faith Associates, said: “Blackburn is the first in a series of special events celebrating local community fundraising efforts and is also a platform to discuss what more can be done to help the humanitarian relief efforts on the ground in conflict zones.”

David Walker, head of outreach at the Charity Commission, said: “We have been so impressed with Lancashire’s Muslim communities’ in their charitable giving.”