A planned £2.5million mosque in the Lake District has sparked division amongst residents, with opposing groups facing off in protests this week in Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria.
Tensions escalated as supporters and opponents of the South Lakes Islamic Centre gathered on opposite sides of the road, exchanging heated chants and waving placards.
Those backing the centre held banners reading “Stop the far-right” while chanting: “Say it loud, say it clear, Islamic Centre is welcome here.”
Counter-protesters responded by waving Union Jack and Knights Templar flags during the confrontation.
A planned £2.5 million mosque in the Lake District has sparked division amongst residents
SOUTH LAKE ISLAMIC CENTRE
The mosque, which began construction in January after receiving planning approval in December 2022 despite 30 objections, has become a flashpoint for community tensions in the area.
The project is being led by a group of Muslim doctors at Furness General Hospital who sought a place to worship, with the nearest mosque currently 50 miles away.
The South Lakes Islamic Centre charity said the facility will serve 40 to 50 practising Muslim doctors at the hospital and their families.
The chair also added that it will benefit “professionals, business communities and other trade workers who will need basic prayer, burial, teaching and community facilities”.
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Local residents have expressed strong opposition on social media
SOUTH LAKE ISLAMIC CENTRE
Local residents have expressed strong opposition on social media, with one calling it an “absolute monstrosity in the Lake District”.
Another resident wrote: “Absolutely DISGUSTING total blot on the landscape totally unwelcome how on earth has this been passed in planning.”
A third commented: “There goes the beautiful Lake District with a huge building plonked there.”
The centre’s construction has faced significant challenges, with a representative alleging in late March that “local suppliers have refused to deal with us” following negative media coverage.
The centre’s construction has faced significant challenges
SOUTH LAKE ISLAMIC CENTRE
Mandy Penellum, secretary of Barrow’s Trades Council, defended the project, stating the area was “tolerant and welcoming”.
She said: “I’m from Barrow myself but we’re all Furness people, and there has been so much negative coverage about the Islamic Centre.
“We came together to counter the negativity from the protesters over there.
“We’ve always been a welcoming and tolerant community here and people have come out to show that.
“You only have to look at Furness General Hospital, with staff from all over the world – it’s important everybody has a space to worship.”
