Muhammad Mahmood Khan, Qaid Amoomi
The Charity Walk for Peace has become an annual event in Majlis Ansarullah UK’s calendar for many years. This year, the event was held on Sunday, 30 June 2019 in Milton Keynes starting at the MK Dons Stadium.
There were two scenic routes to cater for the different age-groups of walkers. One was a 1.8-mile course and the other was 4.5 miles.
A light breakfast was provided at the MK Dons stadium along with warm tea and coffee being provided for everyone throughout the event. Across the route, there were several refreshment points, where volunteers handed out water and fruit. Participants started arriving from 8am onwards from different parts of the UK, with some travelling very long distances, including from Wales and Scotland.
Over 2,200 people attended, including over 500 external guests.
Before the walk commenced, a short opening took place with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Feroz Alam Sahib and translation by Toby Ephram Sahib. Short addresses were delivered by:
– Dr Ijaz ur Rehman, Sadr Majlis Ansarullah UK
– Marilyn Smith, CEO MK Dons SET Charity
– Councillor Sam Crooks, Mayor of Milton Keynes
– Hon Iain Stewart, MP for Milton Keynes South
– High Sherriff of Greater London, Ms Elizabeth Green
– Dr Brian Perry, BEM
– Mr Rafiq Hayat, National Amir UK
Khalid Ahmed Sahib read out the rules for the walk before Amir Sahib led the participants in Silent Prayer. A medal was awarded to every participant who passed the finishing line. Chicken rice with raita (yoghurt) was also served to all the participants.
This year, a special arrangement was made for younger children so they too could enjoy themselves on an inflatable bouncy castle and other fun activities.
The event concluded with Zuhr and Asr prayers, which were offered in congregation and led by missionary Abdul Ghaffar Sahib. In addition to a number of regional charity receptions and charity walks, this year, we are aiming to raise £1 million for various humanitarian causes.