The communities secretary has condemned a Muslim charity run in London that excluded women from taking part, calling it “absolutely unacceptable”.
The 5km event, held in Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets, was organised by East London Mosque and the London Muslim Centre. It was billed online as an “inclusive” run open to “men, boys of all ages and girls under 12”. The listing did not mention women or older girls among those eligible to participate.
Speaking to LBC, communities secretary Steve Reed said he was “appalled” by the decision to exclude women and suggested the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) could investigate whether any laws or regulations had been breached.
“I saw these reports … and I was as horrified as anybody else,” Reed said. “It’s absolutely unacceptable that women should be blocked from going on a fun run in a public space when the men are allowed to go out there and do that. Now, we have an equalities watchdog, I’m sure that they will be aware of this case. It’s getting a lot of publicity, and quite rightly so, and they will determine whether there has been any breach of the law or regulations and then I’m sure sanctions will follow as appropriate. But speaking for myself, I was appalled.”
He added: “We do not want a situation in this country where men are allowed to do things that women are then barred from. We cannot tolerate that.”
The event, which took place on Sunday, was the 12th annual Muslim Charity Run organised by East London Mosque and the London Muslim Centre. The organisers said hundreds of runners and supporters gathered in the park for the occasion.
According to the mosque’s website, the run is “a highlight in the east London Muslim calendar”, raising thousands of pounds for charitable causes in the UK and overseas, including food banks, refugee support, youth projects, and international relief efforts.
Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman appeared on the mosque’s website congratulating those who took part. “Well done to each and every one of you, especially to the youngsters and the elders and the community at large for participating today,” he said.
However, Tower Hamlets Council said to other press outlets that it had sought “urgent clarification” from East London Mosque after learning of the reported age and gender restrictions.
A council spokesperson said: “This was an independent event held in Victoria Park, not organised by the council. Like many local charitable events, it made use of the park space. Following the reports about age and gender restrictions, the council has contacted East London Mosque to seek urgent clarification. We are firmly committed to ensuring leisure and sporting activities in Tower Hamlets are inclusive and accessible.”
The EHRC confirmed it was looking into the matter. A spokesperson said: “The EHRC receives complaints each week about allegations of unlawful activity contrary to the Equality Act 2010. We consider each complaint carefully and take action where appropriate.”
Under equality law, certain exceptions can apply to charities and religious organisations, including the ability to restrict events to one sex in some circumstances. It remains unclear whether such an exemption could apply in this case.
In a statement, East London Mosque said its “goal remains the same: to nurture faith, wellbeing, and social good for everyone in our community”.
It added: “The Muslim Charity Run is one of many initiatives that promote health, wellbeing, and charitable giving across our community. ELM encourages women to take part in sporting activities. There are many Muslim women from our community who have taken part in sporting events including boat races, cycling, hiking and marathons as well as various sporting challenges to raise funds for charity. We remain committed to listening to the needs of our community and ensuring our programmes serve everyone.”
The incident has sparked wider debate about gender segregation and participation in public religious events.
In Islamic tradition, the Qur’an includes verses addressing modesty and social conduct between men and women. Sura 24 (An-Nur), ayat 30–31 instructs “believing men to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity” and likewise tells “believing women to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity” and not to display adornments except in private or family settings.
However, the Prophet Muhammad is also recorded as opposing restrictions that would prevent women from attending religious gatherings. “Do not prevent the maid-servants of God from going to the mosque,” he said, according to Hadith collections in Muslim and Bukhari.
Historians note that the practice of strict gender segregation developed over time, and cannot necessarily be said to have been a founding principle to the nature of Islam.
Leor Halevi, a historical scholar of Islamic law, wrote that a “novel and unprecedented concern with the segregation of the sexes” came about in what is now modern day Iraq during the eighth century. This later became a normative practice in many Muslim societies, including the creation of domestic female-only spaces known as harems during the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties.
The modern conception of harems as historically being places of sexual subjugation is based on a set of euro-centric historical misunderstandings.
The controversy surrounding the London event has highlighted the ongoing tension between religious customs, community traditions, and equality laws in modern Britain. While East London Mosque insists it promotes inclusivity and community wellbeing, critics argue that public events in shared spaces should not exclude women from participation.
The EHRC has yet to announce whether a formal investigation will take place.
