''We were able to raise a large amount of money for people and families facing very difficult life challenges. The Ride 4 Peace was also a great demonstration of universal tolerance."
Source/Credit: Glasgow STV
By David Bateman | June 10, 2014
Fundraising cyclists have pedalled their way to an incredible £100,000 by riding from Glasgow to London in a 600-mile effort.
A group of 25 cyclists from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) travelled across the length and breadth of the UK from Sunday, June 1, to Saturday, June 7, stopping at 13 mosques and a First World War memorial on the way.
The Ride 4 Peace set out to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation and Humanity First, while helping dispel negative stereotypes of Muslims in the UK.
Lead cyclist Dr Hammad Khan said: ''We left Scotland with a wealth of fond memories that will remain with us. The country's spectacular scenery was only matched by the warmth and kindness of its amazing people.
''When we were in the heart of the Scottish Borders, without a phone signal for forty miles, one of the cyclists took a wrong turn. He found himself in a village with no money or signal to reach the main group. It took several hours to find the cyclist. As you can imagine, it was a very worrying situation for us.
"However, when we located him he was warm and well fed. A local couple had invited him into their cafe, fed him for free and stayed with him after they closed the shop until he was picked up. That was one of the many incredible demonstrations of human kindness we encountered across the 600 miles.''
Dr Khan continued: ''We were able to raise a large amount of money for people and families facing very difficult life challenges. The Ride 4 Peace was also a great demonstration of universal tolerance.
"Not only were we able to show people across Scotland and England the positive contributions being made by Muslims, but we also developed an even greater appreciation of the great tolerance and kindness found in people of all faiths and backgrounds.''
In an interview with STV before the cycle, Dr. Tauseef Khan, organiser of the Ride 4 Peace, said: “We want to showcase that British AMYA Muslims support peace. Acts of extremism or terrorism or barbaric acts that happen supposedly in the name of Islam are not at all representative of ordinary British Muslims.
Dr Tauseef Khan continued: “Our values are in total consonance with the British values of brotherhood, charity, loyalty to one’s country and tolerance for human beings no matter their colour, creed or religion.
“I am proud to be in this country. We have no issue at all being a loyal British citizen and retaining our identity as a Muslim."
For the final stretch of the journey, the group were joined by around 200 other cyclists, including a large number of London Metropolitan police officers.
Read original post here: Cyclists brake six-figure barrier in cross country fundraising effort
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