Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman has praised a charity fun-run that banned females aged over 12 as “truly inspiring” after presenting awards at the event.
The mayor posted on Facebook following Sunday’s Muslim Charity Run in Victoria Park, writing: “It was a pleasure to attend the prize-giving ceremony at the 12th Muslim Charity Run in Victoria Park, London, organised by the East London Mosque.”
He added: “Over 1,600 runners of all ages and abilities participated, raising funds for 40 different charities – a truly inspiring community effort!”
The East London Mosque had prohibited women and teenage girls from participating in the 5km race.
The event attracted more than 1,600 participants who raised money for 40 different charitable organisations
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The event attracted more than 1,600 participants who raised money for 40 different charitable organisations, despite the gender restrictions that limited participation to males of any age and females under 12.
When challenged at the event about the exclusion of women, Mr Rahman remained defiant, saying: “What is important is that they have brought communities together – there is no room for criticism.”
He continued: “There’s room for celebration and congratulating the fact that youngsters from a very young age to an elder who is 94 participated.”
The annual fundraising event has taken place in Victoria Park since 2012, though its gender restrictions have not previously attracted widespread public attention.
Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman has praised a charity run that excluded females aged over 12
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The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched an assessment of the case, with a spokeswoman confirming: “We consider each [complaint] carefully and take action where appropriate.”
Tower Hamlets Council has also intervened, contacting the mosque to request immediate clarification about the age and gender restrictions.
Women’s rights advocates have condemned the exclusion policy, with Kellie-Jay Keen from Party Of Women calling it “plainly unlawful” and arguing it “reinforces regressive sexist attitudes towards women’s place in public life.”
The Women’s Policy Centre described the ban as “appalling”, whilst Baroness Shaista Gohir OBE, heading the Muslim Women’s Network UK, suggested the mosque was “likely” breaching equality legislation.
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The mosque defended its policy, with a spokesman stating: “The suggestion that our event breaches the Equality Act is entirely incorrect.”
They argued that “single-gender sporting events are lawful under Section 195 and Schedule 23 of the Act”, citing examples including the Women’s Run Series and Nike Women’s 10K.
Mr Rahman previously served as Tower Hamlets leader until his removal in 2015 following electoral fraud findings, before winning re-election in 2022.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan did not respond to the Daily Mail when asked to comment on the acceptability of the charity run’s participation rules.