Daoud Chattha, USA
On a pleasant spring morning, beneath the soft hues of a rising sun on 19 April 2025, a group of cyclists gathered at the Baitur Rahman Mosque in Silver Spring, Maryland. Clad in jerseys bearing the vibrant colours of the American flag, our message was clear: peace, unity, and love for all, hatred for none. What lay ahead was more than a 70-mile bike ride. It was a mission – a journey connecting hearts, communities, and mosques.
Our wheels began to turn, and so did our spirits rise. As we pedalled through serene neighbourhoods still waking to the day, the roads were peaceful, the traffic light and the air carried the fresh scent of spring. We passed blooming parks where tulips, dogwoods and daffodils nodded in gentle approval, nature itself becoming a witness to our unity. Joggers smiled. Passersby waved. At every turn, we returned those greetings with warm hearts and the peaceful message of Islam Ahmadiyyat. We met people at outdoor markets and the park’s rest areas. We exchanged greetings and well-wishes with them and introduced our mission of spreading love in this prevailing atmosphere of divisions.
Our first stop was the American Fazl Mosque in Washington, D.C. – the first permanent mosque in the nation’s capital, continuously in operation since 1950, a place rich in history. There, we paused, reflected, and prayed. Missionary Yahya Luqman Sahib greeted us and served us cold drinks and fruit. Standing where early missionaries once stood, we felt a renewed sense of purpose. We carried that energy as we set off again, traversing the city’s heart, sharing love with those we met.
Then came the scenic Washington & Old Dominion Trail, a ribbon of beauty cutting through Northern Virginia. Surrounded by vibrant greenery and spring blooms, our ride felt like a prayer in motion. Families along the trail cheered us on. We greeted fellow cyclists and walkers, many curious about our journey. To each, we shared our simple yet profound mission – unity through faith, love through action.
After riding 30 miles from the Fazl Mosque, the elegant silhouette of Mubarak Mosque in Chantilly came into view. Warm smiles and open arms awaited us. We were received with heartfelt affection by Missionary Zafarullah Hanjara Sahib, Fouzan Pall Sahib, President of Northern VA Jamaat, and Munum Naeem Sahib, Executive Director of Humanity First USA. A delicious lunch nourished our bodies, but it was the Zuhr and Asr prayers that truly refuelled our souls.
We had a blessed opportunity to speak with a Waqf-e-Nau group who were gathered there for a career expo. We inspired them to come out and bike, as this has been an effective method to carry out the Humanity First message far and wide.
But the journey wasn’t over.
With renewed strength, we mounted our bikes once more, heading towards our final destination: the Masroor Mosque in Manassas, Virginia. Another 20 miles through winding trails and calm neighbourhoods brought us there just before dusk. At the Masroor Mosque, Missionary Shamshad A Nasir Sahib and General Secretary Naeem Sahib welcomed us like family. A hearty dinner awaited, served with friendly conversation and warm reflections.
We broke bread. We shared stories. We laughed and thanked Allah together.
This wasn’t just a bike ride. It was a Tristate Ahmadiyya Community Unity Ride – a spiritual relay from mosque to mosque, heart to heart. From Maryland to D.C. to Virginia, four mosques became one journey, one community, one message.
In the land we proudly call home, we rode together – as brothers, as Ahmadis, and as ambassadors of peace.