Hawzah News Agency- The site for the new mosque is located in the small English town of Dalton-in-Furness, which lies just outside Cumbria’s picturesque Lake District.
The £2.5 million South Lakes Islamic Centre project is being spearheaded by a group of local Muslim doctors at Barrow’s Furness General Hospital.
However, the mosque and its founders have faced a campaign of hate and harassment from far-right groups who have targeted the site since it hit the headlines of right-wing media in early 2025.
One local who attended the site told 5Pillars how she thought the mosque was already “beautiful” and feels “very special” despite not being fully completed at this stage.
In early 2025, right-wing media platforms GB News and Talk TV began reporting negatively on the mosque after it became aware of fundraising efforts by local Muslims to secure funds needed to complete construction.
Anti-racism demonstrations have managed to gather several hundred activists, including local politicians, to perform counter protests outside in front of the mosque in order to defend the site from the far-right.
In July 2025, 5Pillars spoke to Emma, a local hijab wearing British convert, who explained why she came out to defend the mosque.
As reverts it is important to come here today because a lot of the things they are shouting is about race. It’s not just about the mosque, its never been just about the mosque, they are angry about a lot of things such as race.
“As a British Muslim I want to stand here on behalf of my friends who are scared to come here because of what they (the anti-mosque protesters) are doing .. I am here because I love Islam and I love this mosque… Everyone deserves a safe place to worship God''.
The Islamic Centre is now very close to completion and has started opening its doors in a limited capacity to facilitate visits from curious locals wanting to learn more and Muslims desperate to start using the site to celebrate Ramadan.
On Friday, the mosque managed to host its first ever Jummah prayers with a sizeable turnout.
Source: 5 PILLARS
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