Young Muslims turned up in force across the region to collect money for the Poppy Appeal.

Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association South (AMYA) have been helping the Royal British Legion as a mark of good citizenship and a testament to the Islamic teaching of demonstrating loyalty to one’s country.

In doing so they paid tribute to the valuable role brave British servicemen and women played in the fight against tyranny during World Wars I & II.

Dozens of volunteers from the group were stationed across the Region on Monday 29th October. The money raised went far towards topping the £40,000 they collected nationally over the past two years.

The collection is part of a region wide campaign by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community South to contribute both positively and pro-actively to Great Britain in different ways. This has included blood drives; tree planting; charity walks; peace conferences; public lectures; and interfaith meetings.

The Caliph and Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (abta) stated: “Muslims are obliged to be loyal to the country in which they live. Honouring those who fought to defend and safeguard one’s country is an important principle of Islam and in fact is an important principle of peace – especially when it is carried out with a sincere heart and for the sake of winning God’s pleasure.”

Mubarak Shams, Regional Youth Leader of AMYA Croydon, which comprises a membership of more than 400 young British Muslims, stated: “We are delighted and proud to support the Poppy Appeal which each year takes place on the eve of Remembrance Sunday. This is the same historic day of peace which marked an end to the tragic global destruction and hostilities that took place during the First World War. We therefore hope that our participation is a clear indication of our desire for peace and unity between all nations, peoples and religions. Our volunteers turned out in their droves to support this campaign and were met by the very generous and kind people that make up the South''

Russell Thompson OBE, Director of Fundraising at The Royal British Legion, stated: “Our beneficiaries come from all walks of life, as do our supporters, and we are proud to be an organisation that stands shoulder to shoulder with people of all faiths and backgrounds. We are grateful to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association for collecting for this year’s Poppy Appeal …”

For more information or interviews contact: Farhan Rashid Qazi Regional Spokesperson, AMYA South E-Mail: south@khuddam.org.uk Mobile: 07515 862406 Based on information supplied by .