It's easy to feel a degree of trepidation as a non-Muslim heading to a Ramadan event. Ramdan is, of course, the most important month in the Muslim calendar, and I've had the pleasure of learning a lot about the holy month in my time as a reporter - but there's always a thought in the back of my mind that questions how I'll be perceived at a religious event as an atheist.

To make matters worse, the Ramadan event, hosted by local charity in ISRA UK, was hosted in Sparkhill - an area recently described as a 'no-go zone' for non-Muslims. But as I entered the Women's Enterprise and Community Hub just off Ladypool Road, any reservations I had were quickly dispelled by the warm smiles and genuine hospitality extended to me by the organisers.

Over the course of an hour, I was honoured to speak with a number of different people, all eager to tell me about Ramadan and answer some of the questions I was too embarrassed to ask. I was also treated to a delightful spread of traditional food - and tried a drink I didn't even know existed.

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"Ramadan, to me, is a month of hope and forgiveness," Mudassar Yasin tells me. "It's an opportunity to reflect and pray for those who are less fortunate than us - both around the world but also in Birmingham."

Mudassar, better known as Birmingham's Camel Sheik, is a local businessman selling an unusual, but nutritious product. His business Hump Group sells camel milk, and he's on a mission to spread the health benefits and heritage of the drink.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit sceptical, but my curiosity got the better of me so I gave it a try - and I'm happy to say it was a pleasant experience. The milk had a sweet taste and silky texture. For a drink I didn't even know existed, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I don't think I'll be swapping out dairy just yet, but it was certainly a new experience for me.

Elsewhere at the event, volunteers at ISRA UK told me about the work the charity does help people around the world - and here in our city. "For me, Ramadan is about helping people in need," said Kheira Mohammed, a community ambassador for the charity.

"A lot of people are struggling with food and energy at the minute, so we try and help where we can. We provide assistance and advice to those who need it - and also offer a warm space here."

Further afield, Shohan Khan has been helping Palestinian refugees in Turkey, delivering vital supplies to those who need them. He said: "Ramadan is about hope and reflecting on the world around us. We're very privileged here in the UK and we have a duty to help others as much as we can."

In my last visit to Sparkhill, locals spoke of their anger that their neighbourhood is so often painted in a bad light. The area was recently labelled a ‘no-go zone’ by a Tory MP who said people in the area 'abused their religion' to the point where others felt unsafe.

But at this Ramadan launch, I was welcomed with open arms - as were the other non-Muslims there - and never felt like an outsider. And if that Tory MP who called the area a 'no-go zone' had come too, he would have said the same.