Hawzah News Agency-Imam Atef Mahgoub said there’s a reason God didn’t create humans to look and think the same way.

“God created people differently to test you, how they put up with one another,” Mahgoub, the religious director at the Islamic Center of Irvine, said. “And the winner is the one who opens up to everybody and gets to know everyone.”

Mahgoub talked about verses in the Quran addressing the beauty of diversity, at a meal held after sunset each day to break fast during Ramadan. The center invited city officials and religious leaders from other local faith groups to strengthen relationships and understanding of one another.

They then observed or participated in a prayer at the mosque and enjoyed a meal with hundreds of local Muslims who flocked there for iftar.

“Having so many people here, it means people want to learn about Islam and connect with our members despite negative news reports we hear,” Ahmed Elmalky, chairman of the center’s board of directors, said.

Ramadan is observed in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, it began June 5 and ends in the evening of July 5.

For the entire month, Muslims all over the world fast during the day, refraining from food and water. At sunset each day, they break their fast with a prayer. Hundreds show up every day at the Islamic Center of Irvine for iftar and to socialize.

The focus during Ramadan is to purify the soul, strengthen family ties and help the needy. Every Muslim is required to give 2.5 percent of his or her income to charity during this month.

Sondos Kholaki, a member of the center’s outreach committee, said Ramadan is “the most wonderful time for Muslims” that carries different meanings for everyone.

For some, Ramadan is just fasting or having parties with families and friends after sunset. For others, it’s an opportunity to learn about Quran, she said.

Phyllis Leshowitz from the University Synagogue in Irvine was among those who attended the interfaith iftar.

“To me, this is the way people should be getting together, breaking bread, talking to each other, learning about each other,” the Corona del Mar resident said. “And we’ll realize people have more in common than they think. People are afraid of each other because we don’t know who the other is.”