Bringing a major Islamic religious centre to Cumbria.
A recent article on the British Movement Northern Region website highlighted the rarely mentioned topic of Pakistani Muslim grooming/rape gangs affecting towns across Cumbria.
It is a fact that current census population data shows that only 0.4% of the population of Cumbria identify as Muslim. And yet there is a brewing row emerging as the public are made aware of the plans for a so-called ‘Mega Mosque’ with additional buildings and car parks on a rural site close to Dalton in Furness.
Grandly titled as the “South Lakes Islamic Centre”, there seems to be little consideration towards the opinions and traditions of the indigenous White British population of the county, and every indication that well organised and funded element of the political Left are determined to assist the Islamic minority in the region to create a major cultural challenge.
“Protests erupt against £2.5m mosque on the edge of the Lake District.”
“Protesters and counter-protesters clashed outside the construction site of a mosque in Cumbria, which has caused controversy just a stone’s throw from the Lake District.”
In fact the planning permission for this development was pushed through at the end of 2022, and was not without objections, in fact opposition to the Islamic Centre has increased across the past couple of years and as the information about the scale and purpose of this project has become better known, local concerns and regional opposition is increasing.
“Protests erupt over £2.5m mosque on the edge of the Lake District. Some locals have previously taken to social media to criticise the construction of the mosque, with one saying it is “total blot on the landscape.”
But some local and regional media display political sympathy with the mosque project and hostility to any opposition. Unsurprisingly, the assorted elements of the multiculturalist political Left have seized the opportunity to shout down any local opposition and have the advantage of the local Labour MP backing their campaign, and sections of the compliant mainstream media standing with the defenders of multiculturalism.
“Claims misinformation about new Barrow mosque shared by far-right groups to ‘whip up’ tensions.” Here there are all the elements of the cultural Marxist strategy of ‘Manufacturing consent’. A classic ‘progressive’ social engineering tactic of manipulating media reports and ‘controlling the narrative.’
“Protests outside the mosque construction site”
“Protester against the mosque gathered outside the construction site. Protests have been held outside the construction site of a controversial mosque on the edge of the Lake District. Those for and against the £2.5million South Lakes Islamic Centre waved placards and chanted as they stood opposite each other outside the site in Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria.
The place of worship in Crooklands Brow has been under construction since January after planning approval was granted in December 2022, despite 30 objections being raised.
The South Lakes Islamic centre charity, led by a group of Muslim doctors working at Barrow’s Furness General Hospital, is behind the project and says it will become the only masjid within a 50-mile radius, serving both the local Muslim community and visiting tourists. Supporters of the mosque held banners that read ‘stop the far right’ and chanted: “Say it loud, say it clear, Islamic Centre is welcome here.”
Paul Jenkins, from Stand Up to Racism and Unite Against Fascism, said: “We were standing in solidarity the South Lakes Islamic Centre and we were opposing a protest which was being held against the Islamic Centre. “Dalton, and Furness generally, is a welcoming, multicultural, and multi-faith place. The protest against the Mosque does not speak for the people of Dalton and of Furness.”
Notice all the classic Marxist-Leninist tactics of the political Left; the wording of the media reports reproduced above, the subtle reference to the mosque as “The place of worship in Crooklands Brow”; claims about “misinformation” and accusations about the “far-right groups to ‘whip up’ tensions.”; the inference being that opposition to the mosque project is politically driven by those the Left considers to be ‘racists’ and ‘bigots’. Also the claim by the SUTR and UAF ‘spokes-person’ that “Dalton, and Furness generally, is a welcoming, multicultural, and multi-faith place.”
The hope being that ordinary, non-political locals will remain silent and not oppose the mosque development out of fear of being labelled as ‘racists’.
It is interesting to note the attitude of the local police who were ‘maintaining public order’ at the weekend protest, clearly recorded on a social media blog, the deliberate arrest of one of the more vocal anti-mosque protestors was made but little regard was given to the loud and insulting crowd of mostly middle-class anti-racism protestors. Of course the anti-racism social justice warriors had the added bonus of the local Labour MP being present on their side.
There was all the usual Far-Left chanting of long-established slogans with plenty of verbal insults thrown at the crowd of concerned locals and patriots. Of course the local MP has not missed the opportunity of having carefully staged photo-opportunities and media interviews, clearly identifying her as being a committed multiculturalist and a defender of Muslim voters.
“Labour MP calls her own constituents ‘racist’ for protesting Lake District mosque.”
Michelle Scrogham’s comments have irked some locals, who argue they are being unfairly maligned for voicing legitimate concerns about planning and local infrastructure. “A Labour MP has sparked controversy after branding some of her own constituents “racist” over their opposition to a new mosque being built in the Lake District.”
Scrogham, who represents Barrow and Furness, made the remarks during a counter-protest outside the site of the £2.5 million South Lakes Islamic Centre in Furness, Cumbria.
The MP said the hostility shown towards the project was unacceptable, warning: “There’s absolutely no place for racism in Cumbria.” Tensions escalated on Saturday when police were called to manage clashes between demonstrators for and against the mosque, which is the first of its kind in the area. Supporters of the Islamic Centre held placards reading “Muslims welcome here,” while opponents waved Union flags and carried signs with messages including “No to the mosque” and “Not racist! Just patriotic!”
“Construction of the South Lakes Islamic Centre began in January after planning permission was granted in December 2022 despite 30 formal objections. Once completed, it will serve the local Muslim population – including an estimated 40 to 50 doctors working at Furness General Hospital—as well as Muslim tourists visiting the Lake District.”
The snide wording on some of the well produced placards of the leftist counter-protestors tells an interesting story as to their attitudes towards those working class locals who oppose the construction of a ‘Mega Mosque’ at this location. “Educate the Far-Right.”
As noted above in this article, the police on the ground at the protest on July 19th made a point of arresting the main spokesman for the anti-mosque protest under some section of the Public Order Act, but did nothing about the very loud and verbally abusive anti-racist protestors. Dare we suggest an element of ‘two-tier policing’ there?
There is also an obvious bias in the mainstream media reporting on the protests against the construction of the ‘Mega Mosque’.
“Critics of the development have taken to social media to vent their frustration. One commenter described the building as an “absolute monstrosity” and a “total blot on the landscape.” Another wrote: “How on Earth has this been passed in planning? There goes the beautiful Lake District – with a huge building plonked there.”
“The episode has exposed deep divisions in the Furness area, with the mosque becoming a lightning rod for wider debates around immigration, integration, and national identity. Some campaigners say the backlash is being driven by xenophobia, while others insist it is about preserving local character and ensuring planning decisions reflect community interests. For now, the South Lakes Islamic Centre remains under construction – but its presence is already sending political ripples through one of Britain’s most picturesque regions.”
The BBC report shows a clear lack of impartiality and clearly sets out to present those objecting to the construction of the mosque and associated buildings as ‘bigots’ and ‘Far-Right racists’.
BBC coverage: Abuse towards mosque leads to extra police patrols.
“On Saturday, between 150 and 200 protesters and counter protesters attended the site, according to Cumbria Police. The force said it made three arrests though the majority of people acted in a “safe manner”. An official from the mosque said the video had been reported to police and a temporary fence was being built at the front of the site so people could not film and “harass” workers.
The mosque was also hiring a security guard to protect the site overnight, they said. Cumbria Police declined to comment on specific reports but said it had increased patrols in the area, was monitoring online comments and threads, and was investigating potential offences.
Some posts on social media mentioned the names of the companies involved in building the mosque which was a “deliberate effort to harass them”, the mosque official said. Rumours and disinformation about the plans prompted Westmorland and Furness Council to release fact-checking guidance.
This included correcting the notion it would be a “mega-mosque” in the Lake District, as it would be a 33ft (10m) tall and 98ft (30m) long and outside the Lake District National Park.”
At no point is there any suggestion in the media reports that those local people objecting to the mosque development are justified in objecting to this incursion into a traditional corner of the North West of England.
“Protest outside construction site of a £2.5million mosque sees police called as rival factions clash”
“Police were called to a protest outside the construction site of a controversial £2.5million mosque as rival factions clashed. People gathered around the building site of the three-storey South Lakes Islamic Centre in Furness, Cumbria, on Saturday.”
Opponents have raised concerns about the development, saying it is not needed in Furness, while supporters say the centre would provide a much-needed place of worship for hundreds of Muslim families living in the area.
Finally a quick look at some of the statements made by the South Lakes Islamic Centre on their official website is very revealing.
South Lakes Islamic Centre
Join us in establishing the first Masjid in the South Lakes area!
For your Akhirah
The First Masjid in the Lake District has been granted full planning permission, Alhamdulillah. The prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said (to the nearest translation): “Whoever builds a mosque for the sake of Allah, like a sparrow’s nest or even smaller, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.”
Our Vision
To make the South Lakes a place of choice for Muslim families.
Fostering a Muslim Community in the South Lakes.
We aim to provide:
Educational Services
Funeral Support
Social Functions
Charity Events & Services
Support Us Today
A Beacon of Unity Not Division: South Lakes Islamic Centre Stands for Community, Not Culture Wars
Let’s be clear, the South Lakes Islamic Centre isn’t a threat to the Lake District as hard-right media and politicians want all to believe, but a reflection of a modern, diverse Cumbria where British Muslim communities are part of the social and civic fabric, just like everyone else.
The South Lakes Islamic Centre project is about service, belonging, and meeting the needs of local residents, many of whom have called this area home for decades. The Islamic Centre will stand alongside churches, gurdwaras, temples and monasteries across the country as part of the shared landscape of British faith and civic life.
The South Lakes Islamic Centre will not be dragged into culture war narratives. We are focused on building spaces of hope, inclusion, and community resilience, and we will be rolling out initiatives of engagement with our neighbours and friends, as after all, we are a beacon of unity in the South Lakes, rooted in Cumbria for the common good.
Remember the census data states that the Muslim population of Cumbria as a whole is 0.4%, yet that is NOT reflected in how the South Lakes Islamic Centre presents itself nor how it presents its plans for the future.
There is every suggestion that the Islamic Centre development is being built to accommodate an increasing Muslim population in Cumbria and therefore suggests that more immigrants will be housed in the region and that the traditional population will be radically changed.
It is clear from the wording of the South Lakes Islamic Centre website that the intention is to expand their population dynamic in the southern part of Cumbria, in their own words, “Our Vision. To make the South Lakes a place of choice for Muslim families.”
Did anyone suggest that the Great Replacement might actually be happening and that the Great Replacement might be more than a ‘Far-Right Conspiracy Theory’?
Credits:
Main Image: The South Lakes Mega Mosque Project.
Lower Image: Daily Mail.
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