Published on Jun 04 2009 

PRESS RELEASE

11 May 2009

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

More than 800 young British Muslims have raised more than £100k for British charities.

Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association took part in its annual ‘Charity Challenge’ in Bradford City Centre. The participants completed a 10k run starting and finishing at the recently built Al Mahdi Mosque.

Save the Children, Great Ormond Street Hospital, NSPCC, Leukaemia Research, MacMillan Cancer Support and the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability will be among the direct beneficiaries of the event.

Tommy Kallon, National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, said:

“For Muslims, service to humanity is a religious duty. Islam requires its followers to help the needy and to alleviate the suffering of people, regardless of age, gender, race and religion.

"100% of the money raised goes directly to help those suffering from abuse, serious illness or extreme poverty.  It is also hoped that the enthusiasm shown by 800 young British Muslims to raise money for British charities goes some way to enhancing community and multi-faith cohesion in the UK. 
 
"The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was always concerned about the welfare of the less privileged and dedicated his life to caring, comforting and providing for them. It is for this reason that the Holy Qur’an called him 'a mercy for mankind', and it is his example that we always strive to follow.”

The event has become a popular annual fixture helping the youth association to raise more than £1 million for various charities since it was first held in 1985.

The closing session was attended by the Lord Mayor of Bradford and representatives from several of the charities supported by the event.
 
Further information about the Charity Challenge is available on www.mkacc.org.

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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 and social welfare and charitable works which keeps its members engaged.
3. The Charity Challenge is held in different cities each year with 100% of proceeds going directly to the charities.

4. The purpose of all these programmes is to engender the spirit of discipline and service to the wider community irrespective of people’s beliefs and backgrounds. The community’s motto ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’ underpins this ethos.
 

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