2,500 euros for a good cause - Ahmadiyya community organised the seventh charity walk

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat community of Bocholt organised its seventh charity walk on 27 August 2023, supported by the integration office of the city of Bocholt, as part of the NABU summer festival. The organisers were able to collect and distribute a total of 2,500 euros in donations.

The participants raised 2,500 euros for a good cause.

Bocholt's mayor Thomas Kerkhoff, patron of the event, gave the starting signal punctually at 4:20 pm. Everyone had fun, and so the runners quickly set off on the course, which was a good 500 metres long for the children and almost 3.5 kilometres long for the adults. Ole Schmidt and Sofie Azeem won the children's race. Shafiq Ahmed and Edda Tepaße won the adult race. "We spontaneously came to the Aasee because my brother works at the animal emergency call and is also here at the NABU festival. Since our two daughters like to run, they were happy to participate," reported Ines Tepaße.

Thanks to the participants

Ataf Chaudhry, the main organiser of the Ahmadiyya Community, thanked the City of Bocholt, especially the Department of Mobility and Environment, which had cleared the route for the day despite the extensive construction work around the Aasee. Mayor Thomas Kerkhoff also performed the award ceremony. He recalled a statement by former German President Christian Wulff, who had said that Islam belonged to Germany. "The Ahmadiyya community is a shining example of integration in Bocholt and in education," said Kerkhoff. He particularly liked the open and cordial atmosphere at the festival. Kerkhoff also thanked all donors.

Donations for NABU, the Bocholt animal shelter

After the award ceremony, the donations were distributed. Martin Frenk from NABU was able to accept a cheque for 1,000 euros. "Every year we are always happy that the Ahmadiyya community takes part in our summer festival," said Frenk. There was also 1,000 euros for the Bocholt animal shelter. This cheque was accepted by the 1st chairman of the animal shelter, Wolfgang Baten. "This is the first time we are here at the NABU summer festival and we are very happy about the donation, which we can really put to good use," said Baten. He wants to use the money to refinance part of the cat station. Another 500 euros went to the "Humanity First" association, which cares for people threatened by disasters. "Among other things, we helped with the flood disaster in the Ahr valley, but we are on the road worldwide when it comes to building wells or schools," said Imran Nasir, who accepted the cheque for Humanity First. Juan Lopez Casanava, chairman of the integration council of the city of Bocholt, emphasised that there is no need to talk about integration with the Ahmadiyya community: "You are fully integrated, you don't collect donations for your own community, but pass them on to others who urgently need the money. I think that's great, keep it up," he praises.

Ataf Chaudhry from the Ahmadiyya community and himself the fastest runner over 40, was full of praise for all participants, supporters and the many helpers. With the various events, the Ahmadiyya community wants to give something back that they have received from the people of Bocholt since the 1980s, when the first members came to Bocholt. "We want to remain in dialogue and continue to build bridges between the long-established and the newcomers, regardless of skin colour or religion," Chaudhry concluded.