In recent months, a 12‑year‑old autistic non-Muslim boy, Joshua Harris, has visited around 60 mosques in an attempt to meet Muslims, learn about Islam and build bridges between communities.
His “Cake not Hate” initiative began in 2025 after an Islamophobic attack on a mosque in his hometown of Peterborough.
Rather than respond with anger, Joshua and his father, Dan Harris, decided to do something different – they baked cakes and took them to Masjid Darassalaam, the mosque that had been targeted, distributing sweets to worshippers as a gesture of goodwill.
Dan Harris explains the motivation behind their campaign on the Joshie Man instagram page: “We wanted to go into the mosque and show them that these guys don’t represent the great British public.”
But what started as a personal expression of support has since grown into a movement – the pair travelled to dozens of mosques across the UK handing out cakes to congregations and building bridges with local Muslim communities.
A simple message, powerful impact
Joshua doesn’t speak, but his chosen form of communication — sharing cakes — resonates widely.
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Mosques visited during the campaign welcomed him warmly. Dan Harris reflected on their experiences: “What has really struck me is how wrong the far-right narrative has been around mosques. When I’ve gone in, people have been bending over backwards to accommodate and make sure Josh is happy.”
Even in the face of hostility, the family remained committed to their message of kindness. Dan said: “We have been threatened, bullied, and the safety of myself, The Joshie Man, our family and my career have all been targeted, but we have responded with cake because we choose love and not fear.”
Dates not Hate in Madinah
The initiative hasn’t stopped on British soil. On a recent trip to the Middle East, Joshua and his father took their message to Madinah, where the entry of non-Muslims is severely restricted.
There, they adapted their campaign to the local cultural context. Instead of cakes, Joshua handed out dates in the courtyard of the Prophet’s Mosque.
Dan described the experience: “He was greeted really, really warmly. There were some really touching moments where people were kissing his hands and his head. It was really lovely.”
He also highlighted the diversity of the pilgrims: “We met people from all around the world. It was amazing. It’s like the United Nations there… it just goes to show you that the Muslim community … is not a homogeneous group.”
More than sweets: A broader message
While the campaign has a playful surface — handing out cakes and dates — its deeper resonance lies in its symbolism. In times of social and political tension, acts of kindness like these highlight the potential for shared humanity to bridge cultural and religious divides.
Mosques throughout the UK have long sought to engage with their wider communities through initiatives like Visit My Mosque Day, which encourages open doors and interfaith dialogue to increase understanding and trust.
Joshua’s visits, though independent of such campaigns, echo the same spirit: welcoming connection, encouraging understanding, and challenging prejudice through simple human gestures.
