Scotland: Ahmadiyya Muslim community to dedicate fun run to Boston and Woolwich victims

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Ahmed is working hard to stick by the Ahmadiyya's shibboleth and is out to prove the actions of a few do not represent the many.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Association launch their annual Yorkhill Children's
Charity 5k, which will pay tribute to Lee Rigby.© Yorkhill Children's Charity

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit: STV Glasgow
By Kayleigh Mcleod  | May 29, 2013

'Love for All, Hatred for None' is a grand statement.

But at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Mosque, it is more than just a lofty adage - it is a way of life.

The doors of the majestic Kelvinhall building – formerly a Freemason’s lodge – are thrown open in welcome by Ahmed Owusu-Konadu, who is sharp-suited and beaming a warm smile.

The 35-year-old Ghanaian, the Scotland president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, seems to be the living embodiment of the motto.

“Love for all, hatred for none is what we say Islam is all about,” he says.

“If you truly love God, you have to love his creation. We love everyone and we don’t hate anyone.”

However, following the Boston marathon bombing (which killed three people and injured 264) and the shocking murder of soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich, London, last week, the "love everyone" mantra may seem to some far from reality. The perpetrators of both atrocities claimed to have carried out their acts 'in the name of Islam' - albeit with a radically warped interpretation of the faith.

But Ahmed is working hard to stick by the Ahmadiyya's shibboleth and is out to prove the actions of a few do not represent the many.

Which is why, following the unprecedented scenes in London and Boston, he has decided to dedicate the mosque’s annual charity 5k race to those affected by the incidents.

At the fun run, on June 2, which is raising funds for a family waiting area and playroom in the observation ward in Glasgow’s New Children’s Hospital, there will be a one minute silence before the mosque denounces those terrible acts “which have no place in religion.”

Ahmed explains how badly they reflect on the Muslim community.

He says: “As we got closer to the date of the event, unfortunately the episode in Boston happened which was quite shocking and quite striking.

“To be honest with you, the first thing I said when I saw it was, ‘I hope it’s not a Muslim this time’, because they’ve done it to such an extent that whenever you see any evil anywhere you think, 'I hope these guys aren’t going to cause any trouble for us again'.

“This is also an opportunity for us as Muslims to show that true Muslims are passionate about protecting life and their communities and not harming it.

“The event will counter the terrorist act in Boston, it has no place in religion. No religion will promote terrorism.

“We are also dedicating the event to the poor lad who lost his life defending Muslims.”

Shaking his head sadly, Ahmed reflects on the Woolwich incident and calls it "barbaric" but is still able to show compassion for Michael Adebowale and Michael Adebolajo.

“You can hate the actions of people. For example, I hate the actions of those who claimed the life of this innocent young lad – he was a family man, he’s got a wife, he’s got a kid,” he reasons.

“They’ve taken his life and I hate that action but I will love them and wish that they change for the better.

“People do not know the true teaching of Islam – that is why somebody grabbed a knife and butchered somebody on the street and brags about it saying ‘this is Islam’.

“We need to get people to know that this is not what Islam is all about and that these kind of people are causing us more harm, by damaging the image of Islam.”

Ahmed is hopeful that the 5k fun run will let more people see the "true and beautiful face" of Islam.

But he reveals proudly that it isn’t really needed in the community – most people already know how they operate.

He says: “We are quite vocal and quite active in the community so most of the time people are aware of us and they know us – know that we would never do such a thing.

“God being so good, people are now being able to differentiate between the truth of Islam and those who have hijacked Islam to cause evil.

“The extremists know that what we do is amazing and that there is no point targeting us.”

That said, is he not worried about holding such a public event in the wake of suspected Woolwich copycat attacks in Paris and Yorkshire?

Ahmed admits that he is “a bit” worried and that after Woolwich, all 450 members of the Mosque were told to be “vigilant.”

The youth leader says: “Again, we’re erring on the precautionary side of things.

“We hope and pray that nothing bad happens but we know that extreme guys could capitalise on it.

“Police are informed, we wouldn’t take the chance and they are getting people to man the event.”

The 5k is open to the public and in his exceptionally friendly way, Ahmed declares that “everyone is welcome.”

The mosque have been fundraising for charity – everything from Save the Children to MacMillan - since the building opened in 1985 and over the years have raised more than £17,000 for Yorkhill Children’s Charity.

This year, they have pledged to raise £20,000 for the new family waiting area and playroom which is designed to keep children and their families distracted from sometimes difficult, imminent treatments and operations.

Ahmed says: “For the last three years, we’ve dedicated the 5k to Yorkhill Hospital, being the only hospital up here to serve children and we all know how fragile children are.

“Islam is more about the needy and the poor.

“They are practically next door and are part of us. We’re doing this to raise funds for the new family area in the new children’s hospital.”

Kirsten Sinclair, Fundraising Manager at Yorkhill Children’s Charity, said: "We are extremely grateful to A.M.A for its continued support over the decade. It has donated a significant amount of money to the charity and we really enjoy working with them at this annual event.

"We would like to encourage anyone who fancies a challenge, wants to have some fun and at the same time support a worthy cause to sign up today."

For more information on the 5k fun run for Yorkhill Children's Charity in Kelvingrove Park this weekend or to sign up to run alongside the likes of MSP Sandra White, visit the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community website.


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