Union Jack flags put up by mosque not protesters

The mosque is under construction in Dalton-in-Furness

Union Jack flags hanging on a partially-built mosque were put up by the Islamic centre which owns the building and not as an act of protest.

A video posted on Facebook congratulated whoever "did this to the mosque" in Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria and attracted hundreds of comments expressing anti-Muslim sentiment.

But the South Lakes Islamic Centre, which is behind the building's construction, said it had displayed the flags itself, to symbolise "our shared belonging".

Earlier this year, police patrols were stepped up in the area, following a rise in online abuse directed against the new building, with protests also taking place.

The centre said flying the flag was "not about politics or culture wars".

A spokesperson said: "It reflects who we are, a British mosque rooted in Cumbria, proud of our home and the community we serve.

"The flag symbolises our shared belonging and our commitment to building unity, friendship, and a home for all."

'Open to all'

Union Jack and St George's flags have been going up across cities, towns and villages up and down the country in recent weeks.

Councils in the north-east of England and Cumbria have pointed out taxpayers would have to foot the bill for removing any erected in dangerous locations, but said they were otherwise happy with flags to be flown.

Comments on the Facebook post suggest those watching the video accepted its creator's assumption that the flag had been put up without the mosque's permission, although a small number suggested the mosque's owners might have put up the flag themselves.

The Islamic centre said its doors were "open to all" and the mosque was "proudly part of Britain".

"We know we won't change the minds of those set on hate but, through dialogue, we've won over many who were misled by lies and propaganda, proving that progress is possible when neighbours meet as equals," its spokesperson said.