Muslim women are the most disadvantaged group in Britain because of Islamophobia

“The impact of the very real inequality, discrimination and Islamophobia that Muslim women experience is exacerbated by the pressures that some women feel from parts of their communities to fulfil a more traditional role,” the committee said.

“The Equality Act applies to everyone and all women, regardless of faith, should be free to make their own choices about all aspects of their lives, including education, employment and dress, and subsequently be empowered to overcome the disadvantages they may face,” the report concludes.

Official figures suggest younger Muslim women are challenging traditional cultural roles but the MPs said change is happening too slowly.

“The government must introduce a plan to tackle the inequalities faced by Muslims by the end of the year,” the committee said.

Although in some local authorities Muslim women’s participation in higher education is now greater than that of Muslim men, the proportion unemployed and looking for work is significantly higher among females.

“We call on the Government to introduce a role models and mentoring programme aimed at Muslim women to help them realise their potential in employment,” the report said.

Maria Miller, who chairs the Women and Equalities Committee, said: “Muslim women particularly, face really unacceptable levels of discrimination and that discrimination comes from the workplace, from employers, but also from within communities as well.”

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