Alhamdulillah — By Allah’s Mercy, I Completed the 5K Muslim Charity Run!
Alhamdulillah, by Allah’s mercy, I completed the 5K Muslim Charity Run — an inspiring event organised by the East London Mosque, now in its 12th year.
The aim of the run is simple yet powerful: to bring people together for charity, fitness, and the strengthening of our community.
Why I Took Part
I’ve always enjoyed taking on challenges. Over the years, I’ve:
- Climbed Mount Snowdon
- Trekked the Brecon Beacons
- Walked from East London Mosque to Regents Park Mosque
- And even climbed Mount Noor and Mount Thawr in the sweltering Makkah heat — both within five hours!
But this 5K run was something new — and honestly, nerve-wracking. I hadn’t done any real running since my school P.E. days! The thought of joining over a thousand runners, with media coverage too, made me anxious. Still, I felt I needed to step outside my comfort zone.
Because it was a charity run, I chose to fundraise for Ummah Welfare Trust (UWT) — a charity very dear to my heart and one I’ve volunteered with for almost 20 years. Established in 2001, UWT now works in over 20 countries and operates on a 100% donations policy.
This run was also in memory of Maulana Kamran (rahimahullah) — a beloved brother and mentor who played a key role in establishing UWT’s presence in London. More about him later, inshaAllah.
Preparing (Or Trying To!)
My preparation was… minimal! A few short runs here and there, some stretches (which were exhausting enough 😅), and a lot of procrastination. Friends advised me to walk, jog, or cycle to build stamina — but I got lazy.
Still, Alhamdulillah, I set up my fundraising page and began receiving donations from generous friends and supporters. May Allah reward you all for your kindness.
I picked up my t-shirt and run number from East London Mosque a week before. When they passed me my run number, my heart skipped a beat! It was number 570. My favourite combination of numbers. 570AD was when our beloved master Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alyhiwasallam was born! I was so grateful to have got that number.
The day before the run, I attended the Palestine protest in Central London. I knew rest would’ve been wise — but staying silent while our brothers and sisters suffer wasn’t an option.
Run Day: Facing the Challenge
I woke up early, prayed Fajr… and then accidentally snoozed again! 😅
Eventually, I made it to Victoria Park, one of Tower Hamlets’ most iconic green spaces, by 9:30am.
The atmosphere was electric — hundreds of runners gathered, some chatting, others warming up, and quite a few (like me) shivering in the chilly morning air.
There were community stalls, bouncy castles for the kids, and a podium being set up for later presentations. I bumped into familiar faces, and just before the start, one of the masjid staff led a lively group warm-up. We then divided into age categories and lined up at the start line.
I had the honour of running alongside my friend Maulana Abdul Muqeet, the Amir of Hajj Ride — the group of brothers who famously cycled from London to Madinah in 2017!
The Run Itself
Surprisingly, I was doing better than I expected — perhaps adrenaline had kicked in! I didn’t feel too exhausted and even managed to keep a steady pace. At one point, I gratefully accepted a bottle of water — a good reminder that skipping hydration in the morning was not the best idea!
It was cold at first, but once I started running, I warmed up quickly. It was inspiring to see so many Ulama taking part too — including Shaykh Haitham al-Haddad and Shaykh Emdadur Rahman al-Madani, among others.
More Than Just a Run
A huge JazakAllah khayr to the East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre for organising such a fantastic event. It was a reminder that the masjid is not just a place for prayer, but a true community hub that brings people together through faith, health, and purpose.
It was a beautiful day — people of all ages came together, from young children to elders. One highlight was seeing a 94-year-old uncle take part in the run — truly inspiring!
To everyone who supported and donated — thank you. Your generosity and encouragement truly motivated me to keep going.
If you’d still like to contribute, please help me reach my target and support this beautiful cause:
👉 Donate to Ummah Welfare Trust via my page
Remembering Maulana Kamran (rahimahullah)
“How can I sleep when the Ummah is in such need…?”
— Maulana Kamran Ahmed (RH)
I first met Maulana Kamran when he helped establish Ummah Welfare Trust’s London branch. He was a man full of warmth, compassion, and deep concern for the Ummah — always smiling, yet always thinking of the hungry, the sick, and the oppressed.
His sincerity and service left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. May Allah have mercy on him, grant him Jannatul-Firdaws, and accept all his tireless work for the Ummah. Ameen.
Final Reflections
This run was more than just a physical challenge — it was a reminder of the power of community, intention, and perseverance.
Stepping out of my comfort zone for a cause bigger than myself taught me that every small effort counts — especially when done sincerely for Allah’s sake.
The biggest win for the day was those who took part. Participating was the key.
Alhamdulillah for the strength, the support, and the opportunity.
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