London Mayor accompanies 101 year old Dabirul Chacha in his Global Walk Challenge
Ansar Ahmed Ullah
Contributing Editor,Shottobani
London: The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan accompanied 101 year old Dabirul Islam Choudhury OBE in his bid to lead a global challenge named ‘Walk with Dabirul’ to complete 1.5 million steps. The challenge took place on 24 April, aims to raise funds for COVID-19 victims in the UK, Bangladesh and globally.
At the event Sadiq Khan remarked, “101 year old Dabirul Choudhury OBE has already raised 420K for Covid relief and it’s a real honour to accompany him on his latest charity walk. Fasting isn’t easy! Yet here Uncle Dabir is observing Ramadan and showing the true spirit of our city.”
It should be mentioned here that Dabirul Islam Choudhury raised £420,000 in 2020 by walking in his communal garden during Ramadan. As a result, last year he was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for raising funds for coronavirus charities.
Other notable individuals from various religions attended the walk with Dabirul Islam Choudhury and the Mayor to show solidarity. Rajinder Singh, 73, another fundraiser widely known as ‘Skipping Sikh’ also attended the event representing the Sikh community. He said, “What a remarkable man Dabirul is. I attended the event to show my support and that of the Sikh community to Dabirul’s campaign”.
More than 180 global cities have signed up for participation from London to Paris, New York to Dhaka, and are preparing to accomplish the mission of Dabirul Islam Choudhury, to walk in their local park, open spaces and gardens. In a recent interview with BBC London, the 101 year old Brit Bengali Muslim Dabirul Islam Choudhury OBE said, “I will not relax in my life. I want to help people until my death”.
Atique Choudhury, son of Dabirul Islam Choudhury reflected, “My Father has always been a very active and giving person”. Explaining his Father’s efforts to make life better for people in the UK and globally, Atique Choudhury added, “This year he wanted to make it global, and 10,000 people will be joining the campaign Walk with Dabirul on 24th April.”
The funds will help people in the UK assisting with end of life support. Globally, it will help people suffering in refugee camps in the Middle East, Rohingyas and provide food, shelter, education to women, children, and COVID-19 stricken families of more than 50 countries via Ramadan Family Commitment (RFC), a UK based Bengali satellite Channel S TV initiative.
Dabirul Islam Choudhury is the oldest British Muslim who is aged 101 and is leading the 1.5 million steps challenge while fasting during the 30 days of Ramadan.