In 2016, the leadership of the Majlis Khudammul Ahmadiyya Nigeria (Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Organization), at her headquarters in Lagos announced to institutionalize an activity that will focus in promoting peace, love, brotherhood, kindness, and unity among Nigerians.

The executive body of the Organization (MULK) concluded to use sport which is largely loved by Nigerian youth to promote its aims at every nook and cranny of Nigeria. The Muslim Youth thus agreed on naming this program “Ride For Peace” where Youths engage in cycling. This activity was also held to commemorate the 100 years of the establishment of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in the country.

The activity which was flagged off in Lagos State by the then head of Majlis Khuddamul-Ahmadiyya, Mr. Abdu-Rafi Abdul-Qadri is now being held in about 15 states of Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

In a span of 6 years, over 1,000 participants of young men from all over the country have been recorded during the cycling event with an estimated time of over 400 hours spent, covering more than 1000 kilometers. Over 10,000+ tracts that promote peace, love, brotherhood, and true teachings of Islam as exemplified by the Holy Prophet (saw) were distributed during the event.

The event has attracted people from all walks of life including politicians, activists, men of the media, Non-Muslims, youth leaders, community leaders, and religious leaders.

In the preparation for the 2022 “Ride for Peace” edition, the Majlis Khuddamul-Ahmadiyya under the leadership of Mr. Abdur Roqib Akinyemi agreed to adopt “Attaining Peaceful Election” as the theme.
The theme was chosen as the 2023 general election is fast approaching.

Elections in Nigeria became increasingly marred by violence and intimidation at both the federal and state levels. There are records of problems such as thuggery, ballot box snatching, rigging, and vote-buying which affect the integrity of elections and the peace of the country.

Recently, the Retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, the National Security Adviser (NSA), to the President at an emergency meeting of the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, said Nigeria recorded 52 political violence across 22 states from Oct 8 to Nov. 9.

Similarly, the Coalition Observer Group, reported that 626 people were killed between October 2018 and March 2019 in the last presidential election.

Also, the European Union Election Observation Mission in its 2019 election report said about 150 people were killed in election-related violence.

On this note, this yearly activity is waxing stronger and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Organization Nigeria will be embarking on the 7th edition of “Ride for Peace” on Sunday, 13th November 2022.

Thousands of youths will be cycling in major cities of the country to encourage political parties, politicians, and electorates, especially the youth who are mostly the tools being used to promote election violence to shun thuggery, election rigging, ballot snatching and all forms of violent behavior during and after elections.

Members of the Majlis Khuddamul-Ahmadiyya Nigeria are encouraged to come out in their vests, obey the traffic rules, and observe all precautions measures as released by the Ishaa’at Department of the Majlis Khudammul Ahmadiyya Nigeria.

Every Nigerian is invited to join us in this peaceful exercise and be an agent of peace and stability in their communities.

Long Live Ride for Peace
Long Live Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya
Long Live Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, Nigeria.

Abdur Roqib Akinyemi
Serving as Sadr, MKA Nigeria
12-11-2022