London Mosque Bans Girls Over 12 from Park Run

Outraged campaigners said banning some women was 'plainly unlawful' and 'regressively sexist' – and accused the organisers of being more 'conservative' than Saudi Arabia.

Baroness Shaista Gohir OBE, the chief executive of the Muslim Women's Network UK, said the East London Mosque, which is behind the event, was 'likely' in breach of the Equality Act.

And Kellie-Jay Keen, founder of feminist group Party Of Women, said: 'Banning women and girls over the age of 12 from a public charity event is plainly unlawful… and reinforces regressive sexist attitudes towards women's place in public life.

'No charity should be allowed to operate under a different set of rules because of religion or culture. Equality before the law must apply to everyone.'

Despite that, mosque leaders last night insisted that their policy was not in contravention of the Equality Act, which makes it illegal to discriminate against someone on the grounds of their sex.

However, they failed to explain why some girls could take part in the event – those under 12 years old – and not others.

Yesterday, Ms Keen said: 'The East London Mosque Trust reports annual revenues exceeding £5 million, including £10,000 from the Government, and claims to spend much of this on education,training, social welfare and community cohesion.

'It raises serious questions about how much of their charitable activity may also breach the Equality Act.

'It is clear that this organisation does not understand, or chooses to ignore, its legal responsibilities to women and girls.'

Last night, an East London Mosque spokesman said: 'The suggestion that our event breaches the Equality Act is entirely incorrect.

'Single-gender sporting events are lawful under Section 195 and Schedule 23 of the Act, and are common across the UK, including the Women's Run Series, Nike Women's 10K, and gender-segregated swimming sessions at Orthodox Jewish facilities like Manchester Jewish Community Centre.

'The Muslim Charity Run operates under the same legal framework as these established events.'