AN ISLAMIC group broke with tradition yesterday when a woman led afternoon prayers.

Author Raheel Raza, above, from Canada, became one of the first Muslim-born women to deliver a sermon in the UK — a move opposed by many Muslim clerics. She spoke at the Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford’s prayers in Summertown Hall, Banbury Road.

Ms Raza appealed to Muslims to discuss “difficult” issues like homosexuality and immigration or “risk losing their children.”

Meco chairman Dr Taj Hargey said: “I think it went brilliantly.

“She is a very erudite and important person and I think this was a very historic event.”

Ms Raza has received death threats for trying to progress the role of women in Islam. She said: “If people open their minds, women leading prayers could become an achievable goal throughout the world.”