CELEBRATIONS will burst out across Oxford next month when thousands of well-wishers unite with their Muslim neighbours.

Revellers are set to enjoy the seven-hour festivities when the Oxford Eid Extravaganza rolls into the city for the second year.

The five-strong team of organisers have put out an urgent appeal for business owners to lend their support and help raise £10,000 for Oxford's homeless.

Organiser Shabnam Sabir, of Glebelands, Headington, said: "Oxford is a multicultural city, we have people from every background.

"I think we should all integrate with each other and this is a good opportunity for people to come along and see how Muslims celebrate. It's an invitation to everyone."

Mrs Sabir, a tutor, called on businesses across the city to come forward and sponsor the event, which she hopes will "break barriers" between cultures.

The mother-of-four wants to raise thousands for the Oxford Homeless Project, which she launched after organising curry meals for the city's rough sleepers last Ramadan.

She said the summer festivities will help her team move one step closer to making their dreams a reality, by having a permanent home for their fortnightly meals and a place for the homeless to go.

The 41-year-old added: "We don't get any grants, we don't get any funding. We don't have anything. Hopefully we can get sponsors on board who can help us.

"We want everyone in the community to feel part of this and we want them to help us cover the costs of this event.

"I want homeless people to feel part of this and realise we are organising this in their honour. They are not forgotten people and I want to give them something to look forward to. We know we can't do it overnight but we are building on ways we can try to improve lives."

Muslims across the globe began marking the holy month of Ramadan by fasting from dusk until dawn on Monday.

They will celebrate the end of their month-long fast, which recognises when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammed, during Eid-al-Fitr in July.

Mrs Sabir said it was important for Muslims to reach out to people in need, especially while celebrating Ramadan.

She added: "We are always looking at how we can do things for other people less fortunate. We want everybody to know that charity is something ongoing that we should continue to do. Charity does not stop when the celebrations start - it should be part and parcel."

The jam-packed day of family fun, including a charity football tournament, is set to take over Rose Hill Community Centre from noon on July 23.

To get involved with the tournament or the event call Mrs Sabir on 07710979617 or email info@oxfordeidextravaganza.co.uk