Rafi Ahmad Bhatti
Naib Sadr Majlis Ansarullah UK
On Friday, 7 December, Majlis Ansarullah UK held its Charity Walk for Peace Cheque Presentation in the Tahir Hall, Baitul Futuh complex.
Jalees Ahmad, attending the event on behalf of Al Hakam, reports that the Charity Walk for Peace was initially established in 1985 by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh and was registered as a charity in 2015. Since then, Majlis Ansarullah UK has been at the forefront in organising charity walks and various other events of this nature here in the UK. Over the past two decades, Majlis Ansarullah has raised millions of pounds which has been distributed to well over 115 UK based charities.
This year alone the Charity Walk for Peace was able to support 157 UK-based registered charities of which the majority attended. Majlis Ansarullah UK collected over £1 million in 2018, making the total collections since 1998 to £5.2 million.
In previous years, the donations were presented at the Houses of Parliament and at the House of Lords, however, this year, the Baitul Futuh Mosque complex was selected as it served multiple purposes, including the use of the large Tahir Hall which provided room for hundreds of guests and Jamaat members.
Guests were invited at 6:30pm, where they received a tour of, what is commonly known as, the largest mosque in Western Europe.
The event started at 7:30pm with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the welcome address delivered by Sadr Majlis Ansarullah UK, Dr Ijaz Ur Rehman Sahib. In his address, he mentioned the importance of helping and serving mankind regardless of religion, caste, colour or creed and gave a brief history of Charity Walk for Peace. He attributed the success of Charity Walk for Peace to the guidance Majlis Ansarullah received and continues to receive from Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa.
The event was chaired by Syed Mansoor Shah Sahib, Acting Amir UK Jamaat. After the welcome address, an introduction to Charity Walk for Peace was given by the Chairman, Zaheer Ahmed Sahib, followed by short speeches from the guest speakers, who expressed their gratitude towards the charity work the Ahmadiyya Movement was doing.
Speeches were delivered by Sir Ed Davey MP, Tom Brake MP, Siobhan McDonagh MP and Mohammad Asghar MP Welsh Assembly, just to name a few.
Distinguished guests included four members of parliament, twelve mayors, several ex-mayors, deputy mayors, councillors, London Metropolitan Police commander, headteachers, teachers and school children, scouts, members of armed forces and air force along with more than 100 Charity representatives. The total external guests registered were over 250. Guests were joined by over 250 charity champions and volunteers who made this year’s walk a success. The total attendance was over 550.
Apart from cheque distribution to charities, various awards were also presented to Majalis, regions and individuals who had helped collect outstanding amounts of funds.
The concluding address was delivered by Syed Mansoor Shah Sahib, Acting Amir UK Jamaat, in which he emphasised the teachings of Islam that seek to continue fulfilling the rights owed to God and the rights owed to the creation of God. The event concluded with silent prayer led by Mansoor Shah Sahib, followed by dinner.
Alhamdolillah, the event was very successful and paved way for stronger bonds with other charity organisations that wish to help humanity.