The Prince of Wales has praised the work of the British Muslim Heritage Centre, telling those gathered for his visit: "How important your communities are here in this country."
Charles visited the centre, in the Whalley Range area of Manchester, as he began a series of engagements in the North West.
He was greeted by children from local schools waving Union flags before he was shown around the centre, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
The prince told trustees, workers and representatives of local businesses and community groups: "I've been so impressed by all the different initiatives and projects you run here and the difference you are making, in terms of all the work you are doing in the community, but also in terms of linking all the other communities together.
"It is obviously of huge importance, this dialogue and activity.
"If I may say so, I just wanted to congratulate you and to say how much I admire all the work you are doing. And how important your communities are here in this country."
The Prince of Wales during a visit to the British Muslim Heritage Centre in Manchester, where he met members of the Muslim community and learned about the centre's programme of education and community initiatives. (Nigel Roddis/PA)
Dressed in a blue pin-striped suit and a patterned tie, the prince looked relaxed as he joked with guests.
The head of projects for the centre, Ashraf Ali, said Charles took particular interest in the Stories of Sacrifice Exhibition, which is first about the Muslims who fought for Britain in the First World War.
Mr Ali said he showed the royal visitor a panel of Charles's great-grandfather, King George V, wearing a turban when he was head of a Muslim cavalry regiment.
"I said, 'I've got someone here, you might recognise him'," Mr Ali said.
"He said, 'I know this guy. Of course I recognise him'."
Mr Ali said Charles also took an interest in the work of the centre in bringing communities together.
He also described how the staff presented the prince with local honey after they found out that he enjoyed it in his tea.
Mr Ali said a local resident keeps bees but, when the centre asked him if they could have some for the visit, he said it was the wrong time of the year.
He said officials tracked down one of the man's customers who agreed to donate when she found out why they wanted it.
Charles left the centre and Manchester to head east to Wigan, where he is visiting The Old Courts in the town centre to learn about the building's restoration into a community arts centre.
He will meet participants from a variety of local arts projects before the tour moves to the Toffee Works to celebrate 100 years of family-run William Santus & Co's factory operating on the site, where it makes its most famous product, Uncle Joe's Mint Balls.
Charles's final visit will be to Wigan Little Theatre, where he will watch a short variety performance, before meeting the performers.
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