Islamophobia versus places of worship: How one community fought back against disinformation

For the past two decades, mosques – particularly ones that are new or proposed – have increasingly served as focal points for Islamophobia in North America and Europe. Since the September 11th terrorist attacks in 2001 and subsequent attacks in Madrid (2004) and London (2005), nativist and far-right groups have mobilised with increasing fervour against Muslims (and immigrants more broadly) and the establishment of new houses of worship in countries with Muslim minorities.  

One such example is the proposed establishment of the first mosque in Harrogate, an affluent spa town in northern England. Known for its springs, flowers and historic Victorian architecture, the Harrogate district covers an area the size of 1,300 km2 (or 500 square miles) and is home to over 160,000 residents. Unlike many other areas of Yorkshire, the largest county in the United Kingdom, Harrogate doesn’t have a mosque. 

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