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The Muslim mayor of Tower Hamlets (London) defends a race that bans women from taking part.

Mayor Lutfur Rahman (Bangladesh, 1965) presented the awards at the race held at the mosque banned to women. He described the event as ’inspiring.“.

East London mosque that bans women from participating

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The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is currently embroiled in a fierce controversy over the Muslim Charity Run. It is a 5 km charity run organised by the East London Mosque in Victoria Park. Despite being advertised as a “family” and “inclusive” event, the participation rules barred women and girls over the age of 12 from attending.

The event brought together more than 1,600 runners and raised funds for 40 charities. However, the decision to exclude adult women has sparked a wave of criticism. Activists and Women's organisations accuse the mosque of acting “regressively sexist” and of breaching the Equality Act., the British law that prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sex.

The Council investigates, but the mayor applauds.

The Council of Tower Hamlets He wanted to distance himself from the race and stressed that it was an event. independent. Even so, Official sources have confirmed that they have contacted the mosque to request “urgent clarifications” on the age and gender restrictions.. The Council's spokesperson emphasised that the council is “firmly committed” to ensuring that all sporting and leisure activities are inclusive and accessible.

On the other hand, the executive mayor, Lutfur Rahman, opted for a diametrically opposed tone. Not only did they attend the race, but they also presented the awards and described the day as “truly inspiring.”, for the event's ability to unite the community. When asked about the criticisms, Rahman defended that “There is no room for criticism, only for celebration.”.

This Divergence of positions between the mayor and the Council itself It reflects the tensions that can arise when Muslim values conflict with the legal principles of equality. and non-discrimination which public institutions have a duty to preserve.

The Muslim mayor of Bangladesh with his own party

Lutfur Rahman was born in Bangladesh in 1965 and moved to the United Kingdom as a child, to the Borough of Tower Hamlets. Trained in Law, he began his political career within the Labour Party., but over time he was expelled from it and created his own party, named Aspire.

Rahman is a charismatic figure for a section of the local Muslim and Bangladeshi community. He is also much criticised by his political rivals and by feminist and secular groups. Her open defence of the mosque race banned to women is just the latest episode in a political career marked by both popular support and scandal.

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