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03
Feb 2022
Last Updated: 03/02/2022
Harrogate district church leaders back mosque
Twenty-two church leaders in the Harrogate district, including the Bishop of Ripon, have signed a joint statement backing plans for the district's first mosque. They say the 'time is right' for Muslims to have a place of worship in Harrogate.
From left to right: Revd Alan Garrow, Imam Hasan Muhammad, Revd Jen Bradley, Revd Ben Askew, Revd Stroma McDermott, Revd Simon Dowson, Revd Chris Clayton.
Church leaders in the Harrogate district have shown their support for a planned mosque in the town.
Twenty-two leaders have signed a joint statement backing the plans, saying the “time is right” for a place of worship for Muslims.
Signatories include the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley.
Harrogate Islamic Association has lodged plans to Harrogate Borough Council to convert the former Home Guard Club into a place of worship.
The joint statement from church leaders says:
“As church leaders in Harrogate, we the undersigned wish to express our support for our Muslim friends and neighbours as they seek a suitable site for a dedicated place of worship.
“We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to worship and, without wishing to prejudge the specific suitability of the site currently under consideration, we believe that the time is right for the creation of a permanent mosque to serve the needs of Muslims who live and work in our community.”
Read more:
- Harrogate Islamic Association hopes to see off anti-mosque campaign
- Harrogate’s first Mosque could open at former Home Guard club
So far, the application has received 135 public comments - 72 in support and 59 objecting.
Traffic and parking concerns
The objections highlight concerns about traffic, parking and the fact that the building is a non-designated heritage asset.
Households across Harrogate have reported receiving anonymous leaflets through their doors encouraging them to oppose the plans with a guide on how to word the objection.
Supporters dispute the concerns. They say there is enough parking nearby, particularly as there is a multi-storey car park on Tower Street, and that it would be good to see the building brought back into use.
HIA was established in 2011 and has been looking for a permanent place to convert into a mosque for years. Other attempts to find a home have fallen through.
Around 100 worshippers currently meet in the Quakers’ Friends Meeting House on Queen Parade.
Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.
Church leaders who have signed the statement are:
- Revd Dr Alan Garrow
- Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley
- Revd Ben Askew
- David Wynn James
- Revd Simon Dowson
- Revd Lesley Taylor
- Revd Sally Pickering
- Revd Matthew Evans
- Pastors Nik and Maggie Gee
- Revd Alan Crump
- Revd Laura Martin
- Adam Price
- Fr Gary Waddington
- Revd Tim Hurren
- Revd David Arblaster
- Revd Kim Mason
- Revd Chris Clayton
- Revd Stroma McDermott
- Revd Ben Clowes
- Revd Phil Carman
- Revd John Smith
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