09:36

Muslims unable to visit their mosques during the coronavirus crisis can tune into their local BBC station from tomorrow.

Qari Asim MBE, a senior imam in Leeds, will lead reflections on 14 stations at 5.50am. This will become a weekly spot, led by a different imam each week.

Chris Burns, the head of BBC Local Radio, said:

Many Muslims will feel a void in their lives where prayers used to be – a feeling that will be magnified as we approach Ramadan. Local radio is all about connecting communities and we hope these weekly reflections will go some way to helping Muslims feel a sense of community while they are isolating.

The stations broadcasting the reflections are Leeds, Sheffield, Lancashire, Manchester, WM (West Midlands), Leicester, Stoke, Derby, Nottingham, Coventry and Warwickshire, Three Counties, London, Merseyside and Berkshire.