A long-running community event in east London has sparked national outrage after organisers barred women aged 13 and over from taking part in a charity run, prompting the UK’s equalities watchdog to review whether the move broke the law.
The Guardian reported that the Muslim Charity Run, held on Sunday in Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets, was promoted as an “inclusive 5km race” open to “runners and supporters of all ages and abilities.” But the event listing made clear it was only open to “men, boys of all ages and girls under 12.”
The annual event, now in its twelfth year, is organised by East London Mosque and the London Muslim Centre, which described it as a “highlight in the east London Muslim calendar” that raises thousands of pounds for local and international causes.
Speaking on LBC radio, Communities Secretary Steve Reed said he was “appalled” to see women excluded from the run and called the situation “absolutely unacceptable.”
He said the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) would be looking into whether any laws had been breached. “We do not want a situation in this country where men are allowed to do things that women are barred from,” Reed said to the Guardian. “We cannot tolerate that.”
Tower Hamlets Council, which owns Victoria Park but did not organise the event, said it had contacted the mosque to seek urgent clarification. A spokesperson said the council was “firmly committed to ensuring leisure and sporting activities in Tower Hamlets are inclusive and accessible.”
The East London Mosque said hundreds of runners and supporters turned out for the race, which raises money for youth projects, food banks, refugee support, and international relief efforts.
In a statement, the mosque said its “goal remains the same, to nurture faith, wellbeing, and social good for everyone in our community.” It added that women in the community already take part in sporting activities such as cycling, hiking, marathons, and rowing events, and said it remained “committed to listening to the needs of our community and ensuring our programmes serve everyone.”
Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman, who attended the event, congratulated participants and praised the community spirit of the day, calling it a success for “youngsters, elders, and the community at large.”
The Equality Act 2010 generally prohibits discrimination based on sex when providing services or facilities to the public, but it does allow certain exceptions for charities and religious organisations.
Under the law, a charity can in some cases restrict participation to one sex if doing so is necessary to achieve a legitimate charitable aim or to address a particular disadvantage.
However, equality lawyers say the justification for such a restriction would have to be clear, proportionate, and consistent with the charity’s stated purpose, criteria that may be difficult to meet when an event is described publicly as “inclusive.”
Baroness Shaista Gohir, chief executive of the Muslim Women’s Network UK, said it would have been “straightforward” for organisers to make accommodations for women and girls, such as holding separate start times, while still showing a genuine commitment to inclusion.
“It is worth noting that during the pilgrimage to Makkah, men and women are often in close proximity, far more so than would occur during a charity run,” she said.
But Gohir also expressed concern about what she called the “disproportionate media attention” surrounding the case.
“The level of scrutiny in this case appears to have less to do with advancing equality for Muslim women and more to do with an opportunity to be negative about Muslims,” she said, arguing that if concern for women’s rights were consistent, there would be “equal focus on the widespread anti-Muslim abuse that Muslim women endure.”
The EHRC has not commented on the specifics of the case but said it reviews complaints weekly under the Equality Act and takes action where appropriate. For now, the incident has exposed a deep tension between religious freedom, community traditions, and the legal framework designed to ensure equal access to public life.
The outcome of the EHRC’s review could clarify where those boundaries lie, and may influence how faith-based charities balance cultural sensitivities with the principles of inclusion that define public spaces in modern Britain.
