Boy, 12, brings cupcakes to Glasgow mosque as part of 'Cake Not Hate' campaign

A 12-year-old Christian boy who went viral for distributing cupcakes to mosques is now touring Scotland.

Joshua Harris, known as ‘The Joshie Man,’ is autistic and non-verbal. He came up with the idea “Cake, Not Hate” alongside his dad Daniel after their local mosque was vandalised in October.

Since then, Josh has handed out hundreds of his baked treats to congregations in London, Leicester, Luton, Birmingham and his home city of Peterborough.

Now, the pair have brought their campaign to cities across Scotland as part of a wider tour aimed at tackling hate and division amid the rise of far-right rhetoric across the UK.

The initiative began in response to an attack at Masjid Darassalaam, where 57-year-old Alexander Hooper entered the mosque, abused worshippers preparing for the Fajr prayer, and physically assaulted a female police officer who attended the scene. He later pleaded guilty to aggravated harassment and assaulting an emergency worker.

Members of the mosque receive their cupcakes STV News

The pair visited Glasgow Central Mosque on the first stop of their Scottish tour.

Josh’s dad Daniel, founder of the global charity Neurodiversity In Business, said the campaign is about promoting inclusion at a time of growing division.

Daniel told STV News: “At the moment in the UK, we’ve got a fair amount of division in our society, strong and loud voices promoting the idea that inclusion and diversity are not a good thing. We know that great British values are tolerance, respect and kindness.”

Josh and Daniel have visited mosques in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh this week, where they say they have received a warm welcome.

“We’ve experienced a wonderful reception – Scottish hospitality is unrivalled,” Daniel said. “Josh has met a lot of new friends and we look forward to coming back again one day.”

Josh hands out cupcakes to worshippers STV News

Family travelled from England to Glasgow Central Mosque to meet Josh STV News

Worshippers at the Glasgow mosque were delighted to meet the youngster and sample his cakes.

One man said: “I think it’s an amazing initiative to counteract what’s going on with the right wing, not just in the UK but in Europe. It’s so nice to see a unique initiative like this, a young boy fostering better relationships.

“I think many more mosques should invite him over.”

One mum came all the way from England to the mosque with her two sons.

“It’s so nice to see a young person making an effort to spread love among communities. It’s an inspiration for all of us.”

Omar Afzal says Josh's campaign is a 'powerful testament' of community — Omar Afzal says Josh’s campaign is a ‘powerful testament’ of community STV News

Omar Afzal, director of public affairs at the Scottish Association of Mosques, described the campaign as a “powerful” example of unity in the face of rising anti-Muslim hate.

“Allyship is extremely important. It’s a testament to the fact communities are united, and it’s a small minority spreading hate. Communities will come together and dispel hate. This campaign is one of those vehicles through which we can do it.”

Daniel said he hopes their work will continue to bring communities together.

“There’s a lot more that unites us than divides us. There are people out there stoking political gain, preying on people’s insecurities and fears.

“There’s a lot more that unites us than divides us.”