To think it is outrageous to ban women and girls over 13 from a fun run?

[Lex345]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1kwk1204jno

I just caught this on the news-the article isn't clear on the justification for this-but this isn't OK is it?

What didn't you look for any of the other (at least 3) threads on this?

So many threads started about this. Is it the first year that the event has run, or is it that there are far more powerful social media currents now that give impetus to any news hook for viral outrage about something connected with Islam?

Not saying that you as an individual are fomenting outrage, OP. Just wondering about the online tides that wash numbers of such threads onto MN. Some of the posts on one of the recent threads showed such strong hostility to Islam, much stronger than would have been expressed a few years ago.

Yes and that's what the religion is based on and the reality of women in the religion. And the fact this is allowed shows how far into Galiad we are sinking. Rules and values we fought for in the west do not apply. Women are chattel to be passed from a man to a man and having your tits jiggling and running alongside a man bring shame upon one.
We are becoming a third world country where women's rights are being fast erased and mysogyny is at unprecedented levels.
The level of harassment from men practicing that religion is unbearable too.
This is life in the UK in 2025. Women-hating "liberals" fascists will tell you it's okay and call you names while only mixing with people like themselves and knowing nothing about other religions and cultures and how harmful and incompatible with western values they are.
I mean what kind of an apology or justification can a twisted "liberal" mind even give for stuff like this.

And may be she did, and maybe she wants to draw attention to it in a different thread. Are you here to defend this?

And there were loads of threads about the flags. Did you have a problem with people posting multiple threads about that? Or only the ones about subjects you would rather people not complain about?

This is the first one i've seen, we are not all on all the time

So many threads started about this. Is it the first year that the event has run, or is it that there are far more powerful social media currents now that give impetus to any news hook for viral outrage about something connected with Islam

I think it’s the fact they don’t let women join the run that’s causing the outrage. It’s not that difficult to work out.

I think the large number of threads about the flags were a product of the flags appearing in so many people's local environments, which was intended to produce a widespread reaction and succeeded in their intent.

I don't "have a problem" with multiple threads on any subject, @TwistyTurnip . I was wondering about why these multiple threads on a single news story were happening, not making any complaint about them.

The whole way in which MN discusses a wide range of political issues is very different now from a few years ago. It is evident that conversations are driven by the polarising tides on social media platforms.

If you think that’s bad, imagine how those women are treated the rest of the time…! Tip of the iceberg.

Of course it is, but it’s extraordinary the number of women who don’t want this discussed or don’t think it matters.

As I understand it this isn’t the first year they have had this rule and local Muslim women have challenged it previously but this is the first time it has become publicised

I just want to be very clear-I had not seen another thread on this (but can see a couple now under similar threads on other boards), in no way do I have any anti Islam agenda and am so much the dinosaur, only use social media to look at a couple of foraging/ dog rescue groups on facebook, which probably won't help me here 😂

I am outraged at the blatant exclusion of women and girls, on no other apparent basis than their gender. But apparently they are welcome to "cheer on" the men.

Autumnevening-that being the case, I am glad it is making national news now, its not ok at all.

Shame on you OP how dare you be incensed that in a liberal democracy in 2025 women can still be excluded from taking part in something purely because of their sex, it must mean you are islamophobic. (sarcasm obviously)

True. Yanbu op

It might be because they are appearing in different parts of Mumsnet, eg I think the first was on the feminist board, some women don’t frequent the feminist board etc.

Yes, the last thing we want is to upset the men folk who think women. (And for some reason girls over the age of 12) should be excluded from a fun run (even though clearly the intention isn’t for it to be single sex as girls under 13 can take part). Luckily it is being investigated for if it breaches the Equality Act. It’s been stated it likely does.

I'm glad people now feel increasingly able to call such things out. It’s exactly the same MO for shutting down women’s voices that was used by the TRA activists.

we need to be more confident in making sure we protect women’s rights without gear of being called bigots (and the associated reprecussions.

It’s completely disgusting that this happened in a public park in London in 2025.

I saw some of the other threads and couldn’t believe the amount of attempts at justification from some posters.

It’s outrageous that this can happen in Britain.

Here are my two cents as a Muslim woman:

We don't want or need saving from (usually) privileged white women that

1. Have no real comprehension of Islam, Muslim communities, or Muslim women
2. Seemingly have nothing better to do with their precious time than to disguise their disdain for our religion and our community behind a faux "worry" about us Muslim women, and about the ways we are supposedly oppressed and discriminated against. If you are genuinely that worried about us, how about telling YOUR men, white men, to stop harrassing us, to stop verbally abuse us, and to stop pulling our scarves off our heads? That, we would actually appreciate. Complaining about a charity run doesn't help us, or makes any difference to us in any meaningful way. If we, ourselves, really had a problem with this run, I can assure you that we, Muslim women, are more than capable of speaking up for ourselves - we don't want or need your "help", or for you to speak for us on this matter. I'm so sick and tired of women outside our community picking our battles for us...just, leave us alone! Let US decide what to fight for, not you! You have problems with female injustice and discrimination in your own communities, focus on that instead of on us.

Also, let's be honest: how many of you who are so outraged and angry on our behalf ACTUALLY had a genuine intention of participating in this run? None of you did. You clearly just want to be angry about something that relates to Muslims. Well done.

Please take your "worry", anger and battle elsewhere, we don't want it from you.

Europe has had decades of terror attacks driven by certain interpretations of Islam, Britain has had a massive grooming gangs phenomenon, there are obvious issues around integration and attitudes to women and Jewish people. It's not exactly surprising that Islam as a religion is up for discussion. Christianity is - totally legitimately - frequently and strongly debated with nor much thought to the fact that British Christianity is rapidly becoming a majority non-white community.

@Plantine I lived in Tower Hamlets for many many years and was frequently followed, harassed and threatened by Muslim men. Abusive behaviour is not confined to “white men” as you put it.

What's being Muslim got to do with it? The OP didn't mention Muslim women. The OP is speaking about all women and girls - not just a special subsection. She doesn't need permission from you.

This race is open to all men and boys and only girls under 12 - no religion mentioned as a qualifier. They describe it as inclusive (except for women). What they are doing is illegal - anyone can comment on it.

Men sexually harassing you and pulling your scarf is also illegal and you should report it and start a thread on it if you wish.

But everyone living in this country is allowed to have an opinion on things which impact on our society. As a church going Christian one part of me would absolutely love it if everyone else just butted out of commenting on us, but I realise we're part of a wider society, which we also have an impact on, and that we have free speech, so everyone can pitch in. Our churches also have legal obligations and certain advantages (charitable status), so we have to accept scrutiny. It's then up to us to make our case.

@Plantine thank you for that view. I don't disagree with it. However, when my DC were little they attended a CoE school also attended by the Imam of the locals mosque. There were many Muslim children there under theh distance rules. Whilst I agree white women shoukd keep their beaks out of Muslim business don't you think it should also follow that when Muslim families chose for their children to attend a cofe school, where many practicing families are declined places because of the 60/40 rule, that in taking up places at that school, they shoukd abide by the rules of that school vis a vis attendance at the end of term church services (community), not insisting on uniform changes for girls under 11, and generally playing a part in the community of theh school by helping at fund raising events, on school trips, etc, particularly when most of the Muslim mothers didn't work.

Do you not think there would be fewer of the problems to which you refer if there was a bit more joining in and mutuality rather than specifically setting apart from the local community.

There are two sides and I have seen self imposed segregation and othehring within a community that tried to welcome with open arms. Don't you think things should work both ways.

It's really boring being accused of being bots, 'formenting outrage' or having an agenda whenever one strays from the approved discourse. Getting outraged over flags - perfectly reasonable. Getting outraged over banning women from public events - obviously driven by a secret islamophobic agenda.