AMJ Community hosts Run for Bradford

Bradford Times
Aug. 4, 2016
By Miriam King,

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (Jamaat) first launched its “Run for Canada” program twelve years ago, as a way to connect with local communities and say “thank-you” to Canada, by raising funds for health, recreation and cultural programs. The AMJ's first event was the Run for Vaughan, which has played a major role in fundraising for a new Vaughan hospital.

The Muslim community has since purchased a large property in Bradford West Gwillimbury on 10 Sideroad, for a mosque and retreat - and five years ago, launched the Run for Bradford (BWG). The Run has raised $30,000 for the local family health centre, BWG Public Library, recreational programs and heritage preservation in the community.

This year's 5th annual Run for Bradford - a 3K Run and 1K Walk - was held at the Library, and for the first time was organized not by the AMJ's central committee, but by a local team, chaired by Saleem Akhtar. Over 100 participants, including BWG Mayor Rob Keffer and several members of his Council, came out to walk or run.

“We will make it a bigger event, next year,” promised Akhtar, noting that the Vaughan Run also started small. “You can see the result in the hospital.”

A former Citizenship Judge and employee of the federal government, Akhtar spoke of developing partnerships, as well as fundraising. “We need a university campus here. We need an urgent care centre... We need these things in future,” he said. “I want to pay back to the community. Let's see what happens.”

“We are very thankful to all our Councils and Leisure Committees,” said Regional AMJ President Rafiq Qamar Sheikh. “This is a humble start,” but compares to the start of the Run for Vaughan, he said, which last year raised more than $1 million. “It takes time, but we want to build!”

“It's a great cause,” said Mayor Rob Keffer. “Health and Fitness (are) so important for the community.”

Special guests at the Run included the AMJ Canadian National President Lal Khan Malik, who walked the 1K route, and MP for York-Simcoe, Peter Van Loan. Van Loan thanked the Ahmadiyya community not only for organizing the Run, but for all they have done for the community, for creating a greater understanding of Islam, and for “embracing Canadian values... 'Love for all, hatred for none' – I think it is a model.”

Lal Khan Malik also helped Mayor Keffer present trophies to the winners of the Run: 1st place Fernando Carvalho, 2nd Z. Saddiqi; 3rd James Scobbie in the Men's Division; 1st Jenevieve Scobbie, 2nd Koko Lau, and 3rd Eva Delavino in the Women's Division.

The goal of the Bradford Run was to raise $5,000. Fundraising received an early boost, with the presentation of a cheque for $1,000 by Shahid Mansoor, President of the Senior Men's organization, Anfar ul Ahmadiyya, which was holding its 3-day National camp in Bradford West Gwillimbury.