A MUSLIM who helped raise half a million for UK based charities says respect for your country is an important part of Islam.

Mubashir Ahmad Saddiqi, who is a member of the Baitul Ahad Mosque in Erskine Road, Walthamstow, took part in this year’s Charity Walk for Peace.

More than 2,500 people walked at the Royal Docklands in Newham, raising £500,000 on Sunday May 29 2016.

The 56-year-old said: “It is important to do things like this because in Islam we believe you should have respect for and be loyal to the country you are in.

“It is a fundamental belief in Islam and of the Prophet Muhammed that you should help others and it is our pride that we are living in this country.

“We have to be positive because unfortunately there are the minority of Muslims involved in negative activities.

“Our community promotes love, harmony, tolerance and peace.”

Mr Saddiqi is vice chairman of the Charity Walk for Peace, a charity founded 28 years ago by the Ahmadiyya community, a minority Muslim sect.

Fifty-five charities will benefit from the money raised, with the biggest donation of £92,590 going to the Royal British Legion.

A presentation was held at the House of Commons on Wednesday, November 30, with the mayor of Waltham Forest, Cllr Peter Herrington, and Mayor of Redbridge, Cllr Gurdial Bhamra, on hand to receive the cheques.

The Waltham Forest Dyslexia Association received £6,000 and the Kiran Project in Walthamstow received £7,000.

Mayoral Charities in Redbridge and Waltham Forest were given £1,000 each.

The theme of this year’s annual walk was ‘United against Extremism’, a campaign launched by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK.