Published on May 12 2010 by Waqar Ahmad Ahmedi

PRESS RELEASE

12 May 2010

MUSLIMS STAND UP FOR BRITISH CAUSES AS CHARITY EVENT REACHES NEW MILESTONE

 Youth Association marks anniversary with a call to ‘love all and hate none’

Press Enquiries: Waqar Ahmad Ahmedi 07966 089338 press@khuddam.org.uk

One of Britain’s largest Muslim youth organisations has pledged its continued support for British charities at a historic fundraising event – and added the Royal British Legion to its list.
Tommy Kallon, President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association which has more than 6,000 members in the UK, praised the British Legion as an “outstanding charity”, adding:
“Through their tireless work they have done much by way of financial, social and emotional support for those who have served in the British Armed Forces and their families.”
He also denounced extremist groups who “have sought to demonstrate on the streets of Wootton Bassett as departed British soldiers return to their final resting place. That has no basis in Islam.”
Mr Kallon was speaking at the 25th anniversary of AMYA’s Charity Challenge in Windsor, where more than 700 participants in a 10km race helped to raise a record £150,000 for 10 different causes, including for the first time the Royal British Legion and the Royal National Institute for the Blind, who assisted the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in translating the Holy Qur’an into Braille.
Other beneficaries are Save the Children, Great Ormond Street Hospital, the NSPCC, Humanity First, Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, Macmillan Cancer Support, the Royal Hospital for Neuro Disability and Barnardo’s. The figure smashed the £112,800 raised last year.
Elvi Morrison of the Royal British Legion said:

"We were delighted to be involved in the Charity Challenge and it was great to see a whole community coming together to raise funds and have a good time for so many different charities. The organisation was fantastic and the sponsorship raised by some participants was amazing! The Royal British Legion supports the Armed Forces and their families throughout the whole year, and so it's crucial that fundraising goes on outside of the Poppy Appeal too. We're thrilled to be one of AMYA's chosen charities and are really looking forward to the year ahead."
Eifron Hopper of the Royal Institute for the Blind said:
“We were thrilled to be asked to be one of your partner charities and it was a real joy to be there and see the breadth and depth of the support AMYA gives to its chosen charities. I was particularly struck by the warmth of the welcome that we were given. Everyone went to so much trouble to make sure we were looked after.  I believe we already have AMYA members helping with a number of collections and are looking at other things that you might like to get involved in. I am sure that we will go from strength to strength as we try to serve blind and partially-sighted people together.”
Adam Gallacher of the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability said:
"Everyone was so humble and welcoming.  We have been working with the Ahmadiyya Youth Association for over 25 years.  Our relationship is one of great respect and appreciation for everything they do for us, and put simply, our patients and their families cannot thank AMYA enough."
Lynn Whittaker of Save the Children said:
“Thank you so much for choosing Save the Children as one of your benefiting charities and we very much look forward to developing further relationships with the AMYA across the UK.”
Claire Ferguson of Great Ormond Street Hospital said:
“It was a remarkable event that was inspirational and its success is a testament to your hard work, dedication and commitment to help improve the lives of those in desperate need both in the UK and overseas. You are an incredible community of people and it is a privilege to work with you all. Thank you.”
Hiliary Jenkins of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research said:

"It was very moving to see so many people committed to making the world a better place. We are very thankful to be able to work with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association. They have helped us with our national collections at Wickes DIY stores and our Beefy's Great Forget-Me-Not Walk with Sir Ian Botham already this year. We are looking forward to working with them at our upcoming London Bikeathon and many more events in the future!"
Katherine Potter of the NSPCC said:
“The NSPCC is delighted to be working with the AMYA and thank you to all the members of the youth organisation for continuing to support our work ending cruelty to children. Thank you to each and everyone of you for making a real difference to vulnerable children's lives. We couldn’t do our vital work without the dedicated support of voluntary organisations such as yourself. Thank you.”
Hitesh Ruparelia of Barnardo’s said:
“Barnardo’s is delighted that the AMYA have chosen to help make a lasting and positive change to the lives of some of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.”
Paul Morgan of MacMillan Cancer Support said:
“I am in awe of your volunteering energy and passion and most grateful to you for continuing to include Macmillan Cancer Support in the array of charities that you do so much to support and empower throughout the year. I have the pleasure of attending a great many events around our area and yours was truly one of the most delightful. Not only was the whole day wonderfully organised, but you and your team truly epitomised the spirit of ‘Love for All and Hatred for None’ in the best possible ways. I would once again like to offer our heartfelt congratulations on the creation of the AMYA charity on the 25th Anniversary of the challenge and assure you all of the incredible significance and impact for good that you have on all those fortunate enough to receive your support. You are consummate ambassadors for the Ahmadiyya community and I wish you all continued success and strength in your endeavours.”
Fazal Ahmad of Humanity First said:
“I was very impressed by your charity challenge this weekend. To have over 700 entrants and raise such a huge sume was awesome, but also the discipline of the boys and the whole setup was very impressive. Well done.”
(ends)


Notes to Editors:
1.    The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) UK is an auxiliary body of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association. The AMYA is committed to the spiritual, moral, intellectual and physical development of young Muslims.
2.    The Association has a regular programme of structured activities for the youth with a mix of academic, sporting, social welfare and charitable works which keeps its members engaged.
3.    The Charity Challenge is held in different cities each year with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the charities sponsored.
4.    The purpose of all these activities is to engender the spirit of discipline and service to the wider community irrespective of people’s beliefs and backgrounds. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s motto ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’ underpins this ethos.

Download Press Release