Atta-ur-Rahman Khalid, Missionary, Ireland
On 18 June 2023, Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Ireland held its 8th annual 5K Charity Walk along the breathtaking promenade on the scenic Salthill coastline in Galway, the city that is home to the Maryam Mosque. The event was organised to raise funds for three charities: COPE Galway, Croí Heart & Stroke Foundation, and the Galway Simon Community.
Over the past several weeks, the dedicated members had tirelessly raised funds on the streets of Galway and through online platforms. Their hard work paid off, as they successfully raised over €8,000 for this event.
The walk, which commenced at 11:30am, was inaugurated by Galway’s newly-elected Mayor, Cllr Eddie Hoare. His Worship cut the ribbon to mark the beginning of the event and expressed gratitude to the Galway Muslim community for their commitment to charitable causes and their strong sense of community spirit. The event also saw the presence of longtime friends of the Community, including Cllr Alan Cheevers and TD Eamon O’Cuiv who also enthusiastically participated in the charity walk.
The missionary-in-charge, Ibrahim Ahmad Noonan Sahib, extended his heartfelt appreciation to the dignitaries and all participants for their active involvement. He commended the generous contributions made during the fundraising campaign.
Despite a brief thundershower, the participants’ spirits remained undamped as they persevered towards the finish line. Upon completing the walk, attendees were treated to Asian cuisine and a variety of treats, available for purchase to further contribute to the charitable event. This provided an excellent opportunity for everyone to socialise and continue their enjoyment of the day. There were 114 total participants in the event.
Looking ahead, MKA Ireland has announced another charity event scheduled for 23 July. Cyclists will embark on a remarkable journey, cycling 630 kilometres from Dublin to Alton, UK, in order to attend Jalsa Salana UK. This will be the 3rd annual cycling event organised by the majlis in support of various charitable causes.
