Generating key takeaways...
A London charity run organised by the East London Mosque has sparked widespread criticism after it prohibited women over 12 from participating, prompting an investigation by the EHRC amid debates on faith, gender equality, and community inclusion.
A charity run held in London’s Victoria Park has sparked controversy after it excluded females over the age of 12, drawing sharp criticism and prompting a formal inquiry by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Organised by the East London Mosque and the London Muslim Centre, the event was promoted as an “inclusive 5km race” welcoming “runners and supporters of all ages and abilities.” However, participation was limited to “men, boys of all ages, and girls under 12,” effectively barring women and older girls from taking part.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed expressed his profound dismay over the exclusion, calling it “absolutely unacceptable.” Speaking to LBC Radio, Reed stated he was “horrified” and “appalled” by the decision, stressing that the country could not tolerate a situation where men are allowed to do things from which women are barred. He indicated that the EHRC would investigate to determine if the event breached any laws or regulations, with sanctions possible if violations are found.
The EHRC confirmed it receives weekly complaints regarding alleged unlawful activities under the Equality Act 2010 and considers each complaint carefully before deciding on appropriate action. The commission is understood to be reviewing this incident following initial reports, amid widespread media coverage that has highlighted concerns about gender discrimination.
The controversy has intensified because the event was advertised as family-friendly and inclusive, drawing in hundreds of participants and supporters. Yet, the exclusion policy has been widely branded as “sexist” and “regressively discriminatory” by critics. A barrister quoted by one media outlet suggested that the mosque’s decision may have contravened the Equality Act, although certain exemptions do exist under the law for charitable and religious organisations to hold single-sex events.
The Muslim Women’s Network UK voiced a nuanced perspective, recognising that single-sex charity runs can be legally permissible but suggesting that the event organisers could have implemented “practical steps” to accommodate females without compromising religious beliefs. Baroness Shaista Gohir, the network’s chief executive, argued that simple adjustments—such as separate starting times or distinct groups for women and girls—would have demonstrated a genuine commitment to inclusion while preventing the reinforcement of negative stereotypes about Muslim communities. Baroness Gohir also raised concerns about the disproportionate media focus on the event, suggesting that some of the backlash might stem from broader societal hostility towards Muslims rather than purely from concerns about women’s equality.
In response, the East London Mosque Trust emphasised its “long-standing commitment to supporting women and girls” and highlighted its encouragement of female participation in a variety of sporting activities, including boat races, cycling, hiking, and marathons. Nonetheless, it did not directly clarify why women and girls over 12 were excluded from this specific charitable run. The mosque’s website describes the annual Muslim Charity Run as a key fixture in the East London Muslim calendar, raising funds for a broad range of causes locally and internationally, from youth projects and food banks to refugee support and humanitarian relief efforts.
Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman, who attended the event’s prize-giving ceremony, praised the run as a “truly inspiring community effort” and congratulated all participants. However, his defence of the exclusion policy has generated further controversy. When questioned about the decision to bar women and older girls, Rahman suggested that the priority should be on the community’s unity and dismissed criticism, sparking a backlash from those who see the policy as exclusionary and sexist. The Tower Hamlets Council stated the event was independently organised and not council-run but has reached out to the mosque for urgent clarification amid public concern. The council reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and accessible leisure and sporting activities.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions within communities about balancing religious observance and gender equality, especially when events are publicly advertised as inclusive yet impose restrictive participation criteria. The debate continues as the EHRC assesses the case, with wider discussions about the rights of women and girls in faith-based contexts, legal exemptions, and the importance of fostering genuine inclusivity in community activities.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, with the event occurring on 12 October 2025. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is 12 October 2025. The report is based on a press release from the East London Mosque Trust, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content has not been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. No earlier versions show different figures, dates, or quotes. The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([eastlondonmosque.org.uk](https://www.eastlondonmosque.org.uk/news/statement-mcr-2025?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes from Baroness Shaista Gohir, chief executive of the Muslim Women’s Network UK, and the East London Mosque Trust spokesperson are unique to this report. No identical quotes appear in earlier material. The wording of the quotes matches the original sources. No variations in quote wording were found. No online matches are found, raising the score but flagging as potentially original or exclusive content. ([eastlondonmosque.org.uk](https://www.eastlondonmosque.org.uk/news/statement-mcr-2025?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the East London Mosque Trust, a reputable organisation. However, the report is based on a press release, which may indicate a lack of independent verification. The East London Mosque Trust has a public presence and a legitimate website. The report includes quotes from Baroness Shaista Gohir, chief executive of the Muslim Women’s Network UK, and a spokesperson from the East London Mosque Trust, both of whom are verifiable online. The report does not mention any unverifiable entities.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative makes a surprising claim about the exclusion of women and girls over 12 from a charity run advertised as inclusive. This claim is covered elsewhere, including reports by BBC News and The Independent. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The report includes specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic. The structure does not include excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim. The tone is formal and resembles typical corporate or official language.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative is recent and includes unique quotes from verifiable sources. However, it is based on a press release, which may indicate a lack of independent verification. The claim about the exclusion of women and girls over 12 from the charity run is covered elsewhere, but the report lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets. Given these factors, the overall assessment is OPEN with medium confidence.
