Lake District mosque protesters are racist, says Labour MP
A proposed £2.5 million mosque in the heart of the Lake District has ignited a fierce local debate, with some residents protesting the development, while others accuse the opposition of veiled racism.
On Saturday, tensions flared outside the construction site of the South Lakes Islamic Centre in Furness, Cumbria. Police were called to monitor clashes between protesters opposing the build and counter-protesters defending religious freedom and inclusion.
Placards on one side read “No to the mosque” and “Not racist! Just patriotic!”, while supporters of the mosque held signs saying “Muslims welcome here”. Union flags waved alongside calls for unity, and across the road, the message was clear: this is more than a building—it's a battle over values.
Local MP Calls Out Racism, Urges Tolerance
Labour MP Michelle Scrogham, representing Barrow and Furness, attended the counter-protest and didn’t mince her words.
“There’s absolutely no place for racism in Cumbria,” she said. “The comments that plague social media don’t reflect who we are. Furness has always been a welcoming place. Anyone saying otherwise is simply wrong.”
A Mosque for the Many, Not the Few
Construction of the Islamic Centre began earlier this year and is set to become the only mosque within a 50-mile radius. It aims to serve local Muslim residents, including 40–50 practising Muslim doctors at Furness General Hospital, as well as Muslim tourists visiting the region.
The centre’s backers say it will be a peaceful place for worship and community, not division.
Community Divided, But Not Silenced
Anti-mosque sentiment has brewed online for months. Social media posts have described the project as a “monstrosity” and “a blot on the landscape.” Others have questioned how such a building could be approved in a national park region known for its natural beauty and tradition.
But not everyone shares that view. Local activist Paul Jenkins, who helped organise the counter-protest on behalf of Furness Stand Up To Racism, said the opposition group is “not the voice of the majority.”
“Dalton and Furness are proudly multicultural and multi-faith. Most of us support the right of the mosque to be here,” Jenkins stated.
A Question of Values
The discussion has now become as much about British identity as it is about bricks and mortar. Protesters have cited “British values” such as tolerance, freedom, and mutual respect. One counter-protester, Henry Goodwin, pointed out:
“Tolerance of other people’s faiths is at the core of British values. That’s what we’re defending today.”
Looking Ahead
The South Lakes Islamic Centre received official planning approval in December 2022, despite receiving 30 formal objections. As construction continues, the debate surrounding it shows no signs of settling.
Whether it becomes a symbol of division or one of unity may ultimately depend on how this tight-knit community chooses to define itself in the face of change.