Working with the community and “doing good work for the community” – those are goals of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat (AMJ), the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Bradford West Gwillimbury, said Mike Nadim, the group’s liaison.

“If you have a solid relationship, the community is going to be stronger.”

For the past seven years, the AMJ has held a Run for Bradford (BWG), raising money for recreation, heritage, and medical health facilities in BWG.

This year, the 8th annual run raised money for a different cause – the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 521, and its Raise the Roof campaign to pay for repairs to the legion hall’s roof and its sponsorship of a new Air Cadet Squadron, launching this September.

The AMJ has a tradition of supporting veterans, said Mubarak Ahmed, national campaign chair of Muslims for Remembrance. Not only does the organization host one of the largest Remembrance services on the last Friday of October, Ahmed noted, it also has a poppy campaign that contributes directly to local legion branches.

“We want to thank our veterans for the services they offer and the freedoms we enjoy,” said Ahmed. “We are standing behind them and supporting them.”

He noted that Muslims for Remembrance had its start eight years ago and is now a global campaign in 26 countries. This year, it will connect with hundreds of legion branches in Canada, from coast to coast – “from Yellowknife, to St. John,” Ahmed said. “Our objective is organic growth, to reach all 1,400 branches at least once in our 15-day campaign.”

Ahmed and other representatives of the AMJ community joined special guests, including York-Simcoe MPP and Ontario Attorney General Caroline Mulroney, BWG Mayor Rob Keffer and members of council, and Mike Giovanetti, president of the Bradford legion, at the Aug. 26 event at the west lawn of the BWG Public Library.

Giovanetti talked about the accomplishments and projects of the Bradford legion, including “the next biggest project we have on the go right now… for the younger generation of Bradford” – the launch, on Sept. 22, of “our own Air Cadet Squadron.”

“Great communities don’t just happen,” said Mulroney. “They’re built through partnership, teamwork and community spirit” – like the co-operation between the AMJ and the legion to provide programs that benefit youth.

Run for Bradford offered participants both a one-kilometre walk and a three-kilometre run – followed by free refreshments and a barbecue provided by Hero Burgers.

Trophies were presented to the top runners – in the men’s category: Jose Carvalho (1st), Fernando Carvalho (2nd) and Vinay Chauhan (3rd); in the women’s: Jenevieve Scobbie (1st), Nicole Keffer (2nd), and Sofia Alves (3rd).

NEWS RELEASE
AHMADIYYA MUSLIM WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION BRADFORD CHAPTER
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Remembrance Day is an annually recognized Memorial Day that is observed in many Commonwealth countries, including Canada. This is a day when we remember those who died in military service, and honour those who served in wartime.

It is observed across Canada each year on Nov. 11. Red Poppies, the symbol of Remembrance Day, are worn by millions of Canadians from the last Friday of October to Remembrance Day.

Different gatherings in memorial parks, community halls, schools or workplaces are held where people observe silence for one minute on the eleventh minute of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the year, local parades are done, and wreaths are laid.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound impacts on all gatherings and social events. Many events were either held online, cancelled or limited to a small number of participants due to fear of contagion.

After having 19 months of pandemic, this year we had a chance to observe the Remembrance Day Parade organized by Royal Canadian Legion, Bradford.

The parade started at 12:30 p.m. and ran its usual route along Holland Street from Collings Avenue to Bingham Street, then down Bingham Street and Back Street to end at the Bradford Legion where a wreath-laying ceremony took place.

Many renown personalities including Mayor Rob Keffer, members of Bradford Council, MPP Caroline Mulroney and MP Scot Davidson marched along the parade route with members of the Armed Forces, Bradford Scouts, Girl Guides and veterans and Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association. Residents from Bradford also came out to join the parade. They lined the streets wearing poppies and waving Canadian flags. Many “Thank You” signs were held up along the route of the parade.

The whole ceremony was very mesmerizing. I attended the event with my children. They were very excited, as well as keen to know about the history of our heroes. We are thankful to MP Scot Davidson who welcomed us and appreciated our presence in the event.

Later during the Remembrance Day week, Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association (Bradford Chapter) visited the Bradford Legion and donated fresh fruit boxes including bananas, oranges and apples, boxes of gloves, sanitizer, as well as masks. Children from Ahmadiyya Muslim Community made Remembrance Day posters, and wrote poems.

“To truly love God,Islam requires a person to love his nation. It is quite clear, therefore, that there can be no conflict of interest between a person’s love for God, and love for his country.” – Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V

It is essential to our faith as Muslims to show love for God, by expressing love and compassion for his creation by serving our community and humanity.

Ahmadiyya Muslim women’s association will keep on improving and increasing our efforts in service of our community to spread the message of love and peace.

A poem by Tabina Tahir, age 11 grade 6:

REMEMBER who fought for us

Remembering the ones that passed away, we will always have a place in our hearts for the soldiers. We salute you.

Poppies we wear on remembrance day. To remember the ones who fought in war, and gave their lives. If it weren’t for them I’m not sure if we would be where we are today. We thank you.

“Love for your country is part of faith” – Prophet Muhammad
Love for all, hatred for none