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Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK
PRESS & MEDIA DESK

­­­PRESS RELEASE

WEDNESDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2016, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

‘Charity Walk for Peace’ Debuts in Parliament with Half a Million Pounds in Donations  

Praise for Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association’s 2016 Charity Fundraising Drive

Half a million pounds raised in the Charity Walk for Peace was given to a range of British charities at a special reception in the House of Commons. The event was co-hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association (AMEA) and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community at the Terrace Pavilion in the House of Commons.

The funds were raised primarily at the ‘Charity Walk For Peace’ walk held earlier in the year where over 2,500 people participated in the Royal Docks area of London.

The walk, now in its 28th year, raises funds for various UK charities as part of its drive to engage its members to serve humanity as directed by the community’s Caliph (spiritual leader), His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.

This year’s walk was part of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK’s nationwide ‘United Against Extremism’ campaign which seeks to bring people together to show solidarity against extremism and to promote peace.

A wide range of charities were present including Action for Children, MacMillan Cancer Support, Mary’s Meals, Humanity First The Samaritans as well many smaller local charities. The largest donation was £92,590 that went to the Royal British Legion. A special donation was also made to the Metropolitan Police Christmas Tree Appeal with Commander Mac Chishty receiving the cheque on behalf of Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe.

150 attendees from more than 60 charities were at the event as well 29 Parliamentarians including Rt Hon Chris Grayling (Secretary of State for Transport), Rt Hon Justine Greening (Secretary of State for Education), Jane Ellison MP (Financial Secretary to the Treasury), Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Minister for Transport), Gavin Barwell MP (Minister for London) and Siobhain McDonagh MP (Chair of the APPG for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community).

Speakers praised the Ahmadiyya Community for their efforts to serve charitable causes and work for social peace.

Dr Ijazur Rehman, President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association UK (AMEA UK) said,

“It was heartening to see the event so well attended by the charities and senior parliamentarians. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s long-standing motto is  ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’ and this walk epitomised the very essence of this, where people of different religions and race came together under one umbrella for a common cause of building a better world.

“With so much suffering in society we must make every effort possible to help everyone – this is what our faith teaches us and this is what we seek to put into practice. This was a great year with half a million raised, but we must and will strive to do more and help even more people next year.”

Mr Rafiq Hayat, National President of Ahmadiyya Mulsim Community UK, stated,

“The event is nothing without the amazing work that all these charities do. They turn every penny raised into life changing work to feed the hungry, provide shelter to the homeless and help the poor. They also help people overcome difficulties in everyday life and this is so important be they the vulnerable, elderly, disabled or facing hardship.

“Islam teaches us to serve humanity and promote peace so we will continue our efforts to reach out with a helping hand to those in need for that is our duty.’

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Contact details:

Name: Mahmood Rafiq +447971 060 962

Twitter: @AhmadiyyaUK

E-mail: media@ahmadiyya.org.uk

www.CharityWalkForPeace.org

www.LoveForAllHatredForNone.org

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Love for All Hatred for None