One of Surrey’s biggest dinner parties has taken place in Tilford with a generous community serving up a treat to residents and good causes.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community recently opened the doors of its Islamabad site to the public for its annual community dinner.

Visitors were given a tour of the impressive Mubarak Mosque built in 2019 and an insight into how followers pray.

Residents took the opportunity ask questions and find out more about Islam and its similarities to Judaism and Christianity before tucking into a hearty free dinner.

Volunteers spoke of the history of the religion and its founder, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, and the organisation’s move to Tilford in 1984. The group is currently headed by leader, Mirza Masroor Ahmad.

Event organiser, Farooq Mirza, claimed the event reinforced the group’s mantra of love for all, hatred for none.

He said: “One of the fundamental things that has pleased me today, is that people have come for the first time and the looks on their faces say ‘wow’.

“We wanted to show it is not the mosque and everybody else it is all of us in it together.”

Vice-chair of Tilford Cricket Club, Mark Bussell, spoke about the annual derby which between the two with the Mubarak Mosque taking the honours this year to make it 2-1 to the Ahmadiyyans.

A cheque of £17,000 was also presented to All Saints Tilford CoE Aided Infant School for a new athletics track.

The event was organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association and saw more than 200 people compete in a 5k or 10k run to raise funds.

They also announced they will be doing a charity bike ride in June 2025 while the elders association will be raising funds for a playground improvements at St Mary’s CoE Primary School.