Arshad Mehmood Khan, Scotland Correspondent
Majlis Ansarullah Scotland organised its “Charity Walk for Peace” cheque presentation event virtually on 19 September 2021.
The programme started with a recitation from the Holy Quran followed by its English translation. After a welcome address by Ahmed Owusu-Konadu Sahib, Chairman Charity Walk for Peace Scotland, a brief introductory video was shown about the Charity Walk for Peace project.
The event was streamed live on YouTube and Facebook along with a social media campaign which attracted hundreds of people.
After this, Naeem Sattar Sahib, Deputy Chairman of Charity Walk for Peace Scotland, presented a slideshow detailing activities of Majlis Ansarullah Scotland during the pandemic period which included food donations, cash donations and other humanitarian services to members of the public.
A video message from Hon Kaukab Stewart MSP, Member of Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Kelvin, where she spoke about the community’s services to humanity, was played.
Rt Hon Kirsten Oswald MP, Member of the UK Parliament for East Renfrewshire started the announcement of the cheque presentation on behalf of Majlis Ansarullah Scotland. She presented a cheque of £700 to Erskine Charity Scotland, which was acknowledged by Colin McPhail, the community fundraiser. She presented the second cheque of £1,000 to Ronald MacDonald House, which was received and acknowledged by Pamela Easton, the fundraising assistant.
Both charity representatives spoke briefly about their charities and thanked Majlis Ansarullah Scotland for the kind donation.
Rt Hon Kirsten Oswald MP then addressed the event. In her address she stated:
“It is a real pleasure to join this fantastic event online and help present virtual cheques to charities including Erskine Charity and Ronald MacDonald House, thanks to the brilliant fundraising undertaken by participants in the Charity Walk for Peace, organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Scotland.”
Hon Linda Fabiani, Former Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament Member of Scottish Parliament for East Kilbride then virtually presented the third cheque of £800 to Aberlour Children’s Charity Scotland. She then presented the fourth cheque to Beatson Cancer Charity, an amount of £1,000 which was received and acknowledged by Calum McNair, the challenges and community fundraiser.
The charity representatives spoke briefly about their charity and thanked Majlis Ansarullah Scotland for the kind donation.
Hon Linda Fabiani addressed the audience in which she stated:
“It is an honour to be asked by AMEA Scotland to recognise such excellent charities and thanks to the AMEA Scotland for their fundraising work in Scotland”.
Rt Hon Alison Thewliss MP, Member of the UK Parliament for Glasgow Central then presented the remaining three cheques of £500 to the BJO Amara Association, which was acknowledged by Karen Amara, the Founder and CEO, £1000 to Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, which was acknowledged by Rod MacCowan and £5,455 to Poppy Scotland.
During her speech, Rt Hon Alison Thewliss MP said:
“I have been attending events held by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Scotland for many years and I am deeply impressed by the work you are doing for the local community. Today, AMEA Scotland donated thousands of pounds to Scottish charities through CWFP which is great”.
This was followed by the video message sent by the Rt Hon The Lord Provost of Glasgow City, Councillor Philip Braat in which he praised AMEA Scotland in the words:
“Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Glasgow is doing a wonderful job by helping local charities, donating food and money to the needy. I can’t name all charities which are benefiting, among them are, Beatson Charity, Aberlour Children’s Charity, BJO Amara, Poppy Scotland, Glasgow Children Hospital Charity, Ronald McDonald House Glasgow and Erskine Charity.”
Mr Mo-Az Ahmad, President Majlis Ansarullah Glasgow South then gave a presentation on the ongoing projects of Majlis Ansarullah UK in Africa, particularly the Masroor Eye Hospital Institute in Burkina Faso, for which Majlis Ansarullah Scotland have so far contributed more than £15,000 and are hoping to complete a target of £20,000 by the end of the year 2021.
Zaheer Ahmad Sahib, Chairman Charity Walk for Peace UK, delivered the concluding address of the virtual event. He spoke from the Baiul Futuh Mosque premises in London, He expressed his appreciation of the Charity Walk for Peace Scotland team and thanked all the attendees of the virtual cheque presentation in Scotland.
Tahir Naseem Sahib, President Majlis Ansarullah Scotland delivered the vote of thanks at the end, in which he expressed his gratitude to all the dignitaries, speakers and representatives of the charities and all those who joined the event on Zoom, Facebook and YouTube.
The programme can be listened to at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWeocNM2dj8
