A Muslim group which criticised a Christian organisation for arranging a "grossly insulting" prayer day are preparing to bury the hatchet over a holy meal.

The Muslim Education Centre of Oxford (Meco) accused Witney-based Open Doors UK of preaching "evangelical propaganda" after the Christian group held a Call to Prayer day at Oxford's St Aldate's Church on Sunday, August 31.

Meco chairman Dr Hargey said: "Not only was this evangelical activity ill-conceived and insensitive, it was grossly insulting and inflammatory to Oxford's Muslim inhabitants."

The row broke out after Dr Hargey was invited on BBC Radio Oxford to talk about the month of Ramadan, and was followed on the Phil Mercer show by Brother Andrew from Open Doors UK.

Dr Hargey said: "It was only then that I learned they were running a day-long Christian initiative called Call to Prayer.

"I was flabbergasted and straight away looked at their website. The innocent sounding publicity was headlined 'A Call to Prayer'.

"But Open Doors goes on to call Islam an 'ideology'.

"I was shocked by their theological self-righteousness.

"They assume the self-appointed task to 'pray for Muslims'."

Open Doors UK responded by saying the event had been taken out of context.

A joint statement from Open Doors UK and St Aldate's Church said: "Open Doors and St Aldate's very much regret that offence has been taken by Meco at an event designed to encourage church-going Christians to engage positively with Muslims.

"Hundreds of Christians responded to an invitation, that had been sent to churches, to a series of meetings held in a church aimed at reducing fear of Islam and increasing love for Muslims... thus we would emphasise that it was not a meeting targeted at Muslims.

"Before the event we emphasised that we were not denigrating Islam or criticising Muslim beliefs."

In a bid to build bridges Meco invited Open Doors UK and St Aldates to attend its end of Ramadan meal — the Iftar — on Saturday, in Oxford. Both Christian groups have accepted the invitation.

Dr Hargey said: "While we were angered by what Open Doors and St Aldate's did, we do not hold a grudge and immediately sent both groups invitations to our Iftar.

"We were thrilled when they accepted and are very much looking forward to welcoming them to the public dinner.

"This will be a great way to break bread together and hopefully establish very cordial relations with different faiths, which is what Meco is all about."

People of all faiths are invited to attend Saturday’s monthly forum and Iftar Dinner at Summertown Hall, Oxford, from 7.15-10.15pm.

Dinner will be preceded by the regular Maghrib (sunset) congregational prayers.

The event is free but guests are asked to book in advance by emailing info@meco.org.uk or by calling 01865 766032.