Rain was in the forecast and Thanksgiving dinner was on the calendar, but a few dozen people still signed up to run or walk for Niagara Health Foundation, which took them on a trek through several parts of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association Canada held its fourth annual Run for Niagara, a five-kilometre run and two-kilometre walk, near the Niagara Floral Clock in Queenston on Oct.11.
Rizwan Khan, the race’s emcee, said members planned to stay at the site after the awards to answer participants’ questions about Islam.
“These days, the global environment against Muslims, and Islam in general, is negative,” he said. “This is an opportunity for people to come out and talk to us — maybe we can clarify some of their negative thoughts.”
Munir Ibrahim, chairman of Run for Niagara, said Niagara’s Ahmadiyya Muslims had heard negative comments but knew of no physical attacks on their community.
“It’s there, it is part of our lives, and we hope to educate people,” Khan said.
Two of the group’s members worked as doctors in Niagara, one reason Ibrahim gave for choosing Niagara Health Foundation. He also pointed to the new hospital Niagara Health is building in Niagara Falls, set to open in 2028.
“Our community has been here for 35 years, so we see the daily challenges people go through in life,” said Ibrahim, who added that his faith required Ahmadiyya Muslims to give back to the community where they lived.
Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates said in a speech before the race that Ontario’s health-care system was in crisis. Gates urged participants to donate and to press the provincial and federal governments on health care.
Thirty-four participants ran or walked this year. Ibrahim said this year’s race was much smaller than last year’s, likely because of the rain forecast and the Thanksgiving weekend.
The association planned 18 charity races across Canada this year for local charities and hospitals under its Mercy for Mankind campaign.
The Litt Legends, a NOTL family team, took two of the top three spots in the two-kilometre event. Priya Litt said she signed up her family because the race was close to home.
“It’s kind of nice, just like a family outing, and you’re supporting the local community and the Niagara Health Foundation,” she said.
Ibrahim said the association would start its yearly food drive for the St. Catharines food bank within the next two months.
