WASHINGTON 鈥擮n Saturday, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association hosted the fifth annual Walk for Humanity USA, a charity event that raises money to feed the hungry.
The walk and 5-kilometer race was held at Rock Creek Park in Northwest D.C. Similar events were held in Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and New York. 聽More than a thousand people took part, nationwide.
Haris Raja, a member of the youth association, said money raised from the local event will go to the Capital Area Food Bank.
鈥淲e get our inspiration from our faith,鈥� he said.
According to Raja, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association is the oldest Muslim youth organization in America, with more than 70 chapters across the country and with more 4,000 members.
鈥淲e believe, as the Muslim youth association, if we鈥檙e privileged or blessed here in America, it鈥� our obligation to give back to our communities,鈥� Raja said. 鈥淎nd that鈥檚 why we鈥檙e doing it.鈥�
Raja said聽the main goal was to fight hunger in America, adding that one out of every six children in America struggles with hunger.聽The event has raised more than $250,000 since it began in 2012.
鈥淲e want to be productive peaceful citizens of our communities, and we want to help out whatever we can,鈥� he said.
