UK Communities Secretary Steve Reed has condemned the exclusion of women from a charity run organised by the East London Mosque, describing the move as “absolutely unacceptable.”
The annual five-kilometre run, held last Sunday in a London park, was promoted as an inclusive event open to “runners and supporters of all ages and abilities.” However, the event notice also stated that participation was limited to “men, boys of all ages and girls under 12.”
Following public outrage sparked by a report from Zoyols Blog, Reed said he was “appalled” by the decision, stressing that women should never be barred from public events meant to unite communities. “It’s unacceptable that women were blocked from joining a fun run in a public space while men were allowed to take part,” he said during an interview with LBC radio.
He confirmed that the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) would determine whether the mosque’s decision violated equality laws, adding that potential sanctions could follow if any breaches were found.
Under the UK’s 2010 Equality Act, discrimination based on sex, religion, or other protected characteristics is prohibited, though certain exceptions exist for gender-specific sporting activities.
The East London Mosque later issued a statement saying it “encourages women to take part in sporting activities” and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that future programs serve all members of the community.
Meanwhile, Tower Hamlets Council, which owns the park used for the event, has contacted the mosque for “urgent clarification” regarding its participation restrictions.
