By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On September 28, Burlington’s waterfront will come alive with runners, families, and community supporters as the annual Run for Burlington takes place at Spencer Smith Park. Organized by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) through its Mercy 4 Mankind initiative, the event promises not only a day of fitness and fun, and an opportunity to give back to the city in a meaningful way.
“This annual charity run is organized by Mercy 4 Mankind, a subsidiary of AMYA,” said Fozan Khawaja, chairman of Run for Burlington 2025 and president of the AMYA Burlington and Oakville Chapter. “Participants can expect a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere celebrating health, unity, and giving back.”
The event offers 1K, 3K, and 5K routes along Burlington’s scenic waterfront, welcoming people of all ages and abilities. Beyond the run itself, attendees can look forward to sponsor booths, interactive activities, refreshments, and opportunities to connect with local organizations. Most importantly, the run directly benefits the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation, ensuring that funds raised contribute to advancing healthcare in Burlington.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, the young men’s branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, is composed of members between the ages of 15 and 40. With more than 50 branches across Canada, including a strong presence in Halton Region, the association places service to humanity at the core of its mission.
“The mission of AMYA is guided under the banner of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, ‘Serving Humanity is Serving God,’ and ‘Love for All, Hatred for None,’” Khawaja explained. “Our purpose is to create opportunities for young Ahmadi Muslims to channel their energy into serving humanity, building friendships, and promoting peace.”
Locally, members of AMYA are students, professionals, and volunteers who devote countless hours to service through food drives, park cleanups, blood donation campaigns, interfaith dialogues, and open house events. “Our goal is to instill in youth the values of compassion, service, and civic responsibility, to become active contributors to society,” said Khawaja.
That sense of service extends to the Run for Burlington, which aims to bring the wider community together. “As Canadians and as Muslims, we believe deeply in the responsibility to serve our neighbours,” Khawaja noted. “Engaging with the broader community helps break down barriers, fosters mutual understanding, and builds unity. Events like the Run for Burlington are not only about fundraising, but also about strengthening the bonds that tie us together as one community.”
For youth in particular, participation in AMYA’s programs fosters lifelong values. “By involving them in meaningful service projects, whether it’s organizing charity runs, helping at food banks, or fundraising for hospitals, we nurture a sense of empathy, leadership, and responsibility,” said Khawaja. Families, he added, also benefit from the opportunities to volunteer together, creating shared experiences rooted in compassion and community service.
Looking ahead, AMYA plans to continue its wide range of service initiatives through Mercy 4 Mankind, including food drives, blood donation campaigns, and public outreach programs such as “Coffee & Islam.” The long-term goal for Run for Burlington, Khawaja said, is to see it become a signature city tradition. “We want this run to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for meaningful local causes while inspiring more and more people to join us in service.”
Registration for the run is open to all community members at www.runforburlington.ca.
