Church leaders in the Harrogate district are supporting plans for a mosque in the town with a new joint statement.
Twenty-two leaders have signed the letter backing the scheme, saying the “time is right” for a place of worship for Muslims.
Signatories include several priests from Anglican churches in the area, and the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley.
Harrogate Islamic Association has submitted 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.”