FORCED marriage, female genital mutilation and exclusion from the labour market were among the issues raised at a conference about Islam and gender equality.

Held in the European Parliament, the event was organised by Conservative MEP for Yorkshire Amjad Bashir (pictured) and brought together experts, religious leaders, politicians and diplomats from across the globe.

Mr Bashir, a Bradfordian, said afterwards that he had wanted to examine abuse and oppression within the Islamic and Arabic world but also to dispel some myths that this was “all down to Islam”.

He said: “Forced marriage and female genital mutilation are not condoned by the Holy Qu’ran. Pakistan gave women votes 24 years before Switzerland.”