Islamists in Pakistan are offended and humiliated by a road race with female participants, and that means violence, of course: Clashes over Pakistan road race.

The clashes erupted after supporters of the Islamic religious parties alliance (MMA) attacked the men and women contesting the race with batons and stones, police said.

The protesters blocked the race course and chased competitors away as they approached the sports stadium where they were expected to finish race.

A spokesman for the MMA told the Associated Press news agency that the alliance had warned organisers against holding the race “because it is against Islam”.

“They want to undress the entire nation,” Riaz Durrani said.

“It is indecent for women to run in the streets. They want the sisters and sisters-in-law of the nation to wear knickers and T-shirts.”