Barry Duke, the Angry Atheist

Pointing and laughing at religious lunacy for more than half-a-century

Muslim misogyny: row breaks out over London mosque’s charity run that excluded women

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LABOUR’s Communities Secretary Steve Reed, inset, said it was “absolutely unacceptable” for women to be excluded from taking part in the event organised by the East London mosque at Tower Hamlets at the weekend.

The event was advertised on the Muslim Charity Run website as an “inclusive 5km race” for “runners and supporters of all ages and abilities” — open to “men, boys of all ages and girls under 12”.

Speaking on LBC radio, Reed, said he was “appalled” and that the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) would determine whether any laws or regulations had been breached.

I was as horrified as anybody else. 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.

He added:

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. 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.

East London mosque, which organised Sunday’s run in Victoria Park — the 12th annual event — alongside the London Muslim Centre, said hundreds of runners and supporters had gathered for the community event.

The annual event is described on the mosque website as:

A highlight in the east London Muslim calendar, raising thousands of pounds for vital causes across the UK and abroad, from local youth projects, food banks and refugee support to international humanitarian relief.

The council said it had contacted the mosque to “seek urgent clarification” after “reports about age and gender restrictions”.

The EHRC is understood to be looking into the matter after a report by the Mail on Sunday.

Certain exceptions under equality law can apply to charities and religion or belief organisations, including potentially restricting events to one sex only.

A Tower Hamlets 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.

One woman caller to LBC today defended the mosque’s decision, saying that Islamic culture seeks to prevent “contact” among men and women, and should be respected.

When it was pointed out to her that running was not a contact sport, she retorted that sometimes it is necessary for one runner to physically help another during a race, and that could lead to inter-sex touching.

Oh, the horror!

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One response to “Muslim misogyny: row breaks out over London mosque’s charity run that excluded women”

  1. malcolmjdodd Avatar
    malcolmjdodd

    Misogyny is as inbred into male muslims as is first-cousin marriage and FGM into muslim females in the UK.

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