UK: Cumbria’s First Purpose-Built Mosque Set to Open After £200,000 Fundraising Campaign

UK: Cumbria’s First Purpose-Built Mosque Set to Open After £200,000 Fundraising Campaign
————————————
Muslims in Cumbria, northwest England, are preparing to open the region’s first purpose-built mosque in November following years of fundraising and community efforts to complete the project.

The South Lakes Islamic Centre in Dalton-in-Furness, South Cumbria, was made possible through donations and fundraising initiatives, including efforts by the Slow Spokes and Spokes Sisters cycling clubs in Preston, which have raised more than £200,000 over five years.

The latest campaign involved 67 cyclists completing a 226-kilometre ride and raising more than £79,000. The funds will help complete the mosque’s interior facilities and reduce remaining construction costs.

The new centre aims to meet the needs of the area’s Muslim community, including many healthcare workers employed by the National Health Service (NHS), who have previously relied on temporary prayer spaces in community halls and conference venues.

Project organizers said the mosque will serve as a shared religious and community space for Muslims from different backgrounds, including Sunni and Shia communities, while promoting social cohesion.

Despite opposition from some far-right groups, the centre’s leadership said the project has received broad local support. Fundraising efforts are continuing to cover operational costs and ensure the mosque’s long-term services as it prepares to become a key religious and social hub in South Cumbria.