A 5K charity run organized by the East London Mosque has sparked outrage after it was revealed that women and girls over the age of 12 are banned from participating.
The event, known as the Muslim Charity Run, was held in Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets on Sunday and was described as an “inclusive” and “family-friendly” event for men and boys of all ages. However, women and older girls are not permitted to take part.
Ahmed Mohammad, who ran the race with his nine-year-old daughter, Hafsa, told the Sunday Times that women had been barred from running in the race because of the mosque’s conservative Islamic views. He said, "I don’t understand why they have that rule. As you can see, women are running left, right and centre. This is an open park and running is a fitness matter. Men have to stay fit and so do women."
The ban has drawn widespread criticism from women’s rights groups, who say the policy violates the UK’s Equality Act. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said it would assess the case, according to the Daily Mail.
Shaista Gohir, chief executive of the Muslim Women’s Network UK, said the mosque is “likely” breaching the Equality Act. Kellie-Jay Keen, founder of the women’s rights group Party of Women, also condemned the move, calling it “plainly unlawful” and “regressively sexist.” Others questioned what UK leaders would do about the race barring women and older girls from running.
“Banning women and girls over the age of 12 from a public charity event is plainly unlawful… and reinforces regressive sexist attitudes towards women's place in public life,” Keen said. “No charity should be allowed to operate under a different set of rules because of religion or culture. Equality before the law must apply to everyone.”
The Muslim Charity Run has been held annually since 2012 without major controversy, but this year’s policy has brought renewed scrutiny to the mosque’s practices. This comes over concerns of the UK’s growing Muslim population, and fears these individuals may be seeking Sharia law to influence British traditions. Mosque leaders have insisted the event complies with the law, but did not explain why girls under 12 are allowed to participate while older girls are not.
“The East London Mosque Trust reports annual revenues exceeding £5 million, including £10,000 from the Government, and claims to spend much of this on education, training, social welfare and community cohesion,” Keen added. “It raises serious questions about how much of their charitable activity may also breach the Equality Act.”
In response, a spokesperson for the East London Mosque rejected claims that the event violates equality law.
“Single-gender sporting events are lawful under Section 195 and Schedule 23 of the Act, and are common across the UK, including the Women's Run Series, Nike Women's 10K, and gender-segregated swimming sessions at Orthodox Jewish facilities like Manchester Jewish Community Centre,” the spokesperson said. “The Muslim Charity Run operates under the same legal framework as these established events.”
