Social media star The Joshie Man brings 'Cake Not Hate’ campaign to RBWM and Slough

Popular social media personality The Joshie Man visited the Royal Borough and Slough as part of his growing ‘Cake Not Hate’ campaign at the weekend.

The Joshie Man, a 12-year-old non-speaking young person with autism, has been travelling across the country with his father, Dan Harris, delivering home-baked cakes to communities and faith spaces.

The campaign was launched following a far-right attack on a mosque in their hometown of Peterborough.

“A person with ‘Far Right’ ideology attacked community members at our local mosque, and we are doing this campaign to share that this does not represent the views of the wider British public,” said Dan.

“As a result of our visit and campaign, 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.”

The weekend visit began at JMIC Mosque on Stoke Poges Lane in Slough, where the pair were welcomed by families, worshippers, trustees and the mosque’s Imam.

Trustee Shaista Khan said: "It was such a positive visit raising awareness not only around neurodiversity and inclusion, but it was a great reminder that our mosques are open to all and that we grow stronger when we come together and learn from one another whilst building connections.

"Both The Joshie Man and Dan are wonderful role models for families and individuals with Special Educational Needs (SEN) backgrounds as well as inclusion as the message they shared with us was about unity, kindness and hope." 

Further visits followed at Masjid Al Jannah on Stoke Road and later at Hounslow Mosque.

Imam Ousman Annsary of Masjid Al Jannah said the visit was particularly meaningful amid rising division.

"It was a breath of fresh air to welcome The Joshie Man and Dan to Slough at a time when voices of division and racist rhetoric are echoed through media platforms against immigrants, ethnic minorities and Muslims in particular,” he said.

“It was heartwarming to welcome and host them amongst us, with them as ‘White British’ and with The Joshie Man being non-speaking, his simple message of ‘Cake Not Hate’ speaks louder than the hate message trying to be conveyed across the globe.”

The Slough visit was organised by JMIC Mosque volunteer Selina Zaman, who discovered the campaign on social media.

"My son Esa and I were so touched by the work both father and son are doing that Esa said, ‘Wouldn’t it be amazing if we invite The Joshie Man here to our local mosques?’," she said

"So that is when I reached out to Dan and invited him to come visit us."

On Sunday, the campaign continued with visits to St George’s Chapel in Windsor, Maidenhead Synagogue, and the Maidenhead Mosque and Islamic Centre, highlighting the campaign’s interfaith message.

Meals during the weekend were sponsored by local businesses Wunder Wings and Grill Street on Farnham Road.

Since launching only a few months ago, the ‘Cake Not Hate’ campaign has rapidly gained national and international attention.

The Joshie Man has recently been invited to Abu Dhabi and Medina by the Saudi government.

"From the moment we arrived, Saudi families opened their hearts to us. We were welcomed, included and embraced not as visitors but as people they wanted to get to know," Dan said.

"The same way, we really felt the love in the Slough community.

"The masjids ensured we were able to stand at the front and share our message of peace and acceptance.

"It was so emotional to see how so many people turned out to welcome us, and we made so many new friends, who we can’t wait to see again."