Recapping our info session efforts thus far: one of our Apr 18 Iqraa fun runners, David, joined us, registering for the training program. Welcome to David! See you on May 9 for the first run at Peirce Mill.
The prerequisites are simple: a desire to run and caring about Palestine. It’s still a rare combo in our society—public opinion is not the same as action—but our group stands out because for Iqraa caring IS action.
Speaking of the info sessions, one answer for “Why Iqraa?” The Spirit of Volunteerism.
It’s relevant in spades this week as Iqraa provides volunteer support Friday and Saturday for the Potomac River Race (Half and Marathon) on May 2.
Volunteerism embodies more than helping. Fundamentally, it’s being the change you hope to see in the world (Gandhi). It’s the recognition that we can make a difference at the grass roots level—an arena within our reach–and we can teach that spirit to our youth and to others.
While we certainly must vote, donate, and advocate for the change we seek, we must also pitch in and put our shoulders to the wheel. Ma’an inshallah!
For their shoulders, we appreciate these Iqraa runners and volunteers committing their time across multiple efforts on Fri and Sat…at Lock 7: Cathy, Jo, Mazen, Norman; on Logistics: Bill, Dave, Kirk, Lorraine, Shobila; with Traffic Flow: Bilal, Khaled, Reza; and our Saturday reserve: Imad.
I encourage you all who care about Palestine to share the word: we’re looking for runners and volunteers for 2026.
Last year we provided a brighter Palestine through annual tuition for 36 Palestinian university students; this year we want to support 40 students.
The first revelation to Prophet Mohammed was the Angel Gabriel’s command to read: Iqraa!
This is not surprising. Education is central to who we are—each of us—lifting us from ignorance (jahiliyah) to ability (qidrah) and making it possible for us to make our world so much better than it is. Each of you have contributed in some way as good-change agents, bettering our world—the planet we share–because you’re educated and able.
And now, thank you to all who contributed to our 2025 campaign, Running for a brighter Palestine!—we have so many contributors who deserve thanks!
Our mission—and our most tangible contribution to brightness—is fundraising for UPA’s Mahmoud Darwish scholarship fund, and we raised $36,162, providing 36 scholarships.
So for that, thank you to our runner-fundraisers and our many donors who made it happen!
Let’s start with our runners, the heart of the Iqraa team, and thank you–to Basma, Basel and Sami, Bilal, Bill, Cathy, Imad, Jeannie, Jorge, Mazen, Peter. Reza, Sahar, Shobi, and me—for putting your trust in Iqraa, and our partnerships with MCC and UPA to register and join our team.
I earnestly hope those who signed up in 2025 but couldn’t make it are able to join in 2026.
And special thanks to the Iqraa friends who did the bulk of our fundraising, including Basma, Bilal, Bill, Cathy, Jorge, Peter, and me. And to our mystery fundraiser, Areej—alf shukr lik!
From me, thanks to many wonderful friends who contributed to the scholarship fund–calling out my Mom first for her amazing generosity every year. In addition, thank you to Anne-Marie and Larry, Andrea, Andrew, Carolyn and Carolyn, Lynn and Greg (twice!), Mary and Mary, Bill (twice!), Margaret, Lori, Chithra, Ray, Zohra, Lisa, Bob, Ginny, Lorraine, Jay, Arun, Raja, Chirag, Abba, Jai (and a matching donation!), Nancy, Barbara, Basil and Mike, Clay, and Shelby
Two NGO partners make the teamwork happen, and we’re so blessed and very grateful to have the same partners since we started Iqraa with in 2008: Marathon Charity Cooperation and United Palestinian Appeal. These are the institutions; their people who we work with are all beloved friends, some of them for 20+ years (pre-Iqraa days).
For the running and training program, that’s the MCC. Thank you to President Nick, Executive Officer Subhash, and Summer Training Program Coordinator Vandana, and Webmaster Doug, and the MCC Board, including Jay, Mazen, Seetharaman, and Shobi.
On the scholarship implementation and fundraising side, UPA works closely with us. So thank you to Executive Director Saleem, Outreach Associate Tabitha, and Donor Relations Coordinator Daniah, as well as UPA staffers Craig, Frances, Ian, Jackie, Jack, Jennifer, and Rana
Inside Iqraa, the main challenge during the year is providing the food–and Gatorade and water–to support eight training runs during the May-October training season.
Thank you to these Iqraa runners and volunteers who stepped up—more than once in most cases–to bring food on our host days or by volunteering their time: Basma, Basel, Bill, Cathy, Shobi, Siva, and me. Thanks to each of you for making it possible to feed the multitudes after the run. Extra kudos to Basma for making zaatar and manaeesh jibna when she hosted!
Thanks too to my partner coach, Cathy, who shares the seminars and for helping mark the W&OD trail for 7 runs at Reston.
Friends, we’re running for a brighter Palestine again in 2026—no surprise, and it’s our 19th year!
Our goal is a university scholarship—annual tuition—for every Palestinian student in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jordan who can’t or don’t want to leave home for their university studies.
You can help by telling your friends and family—anyone who may be interested in this noble cause, which comes with many benefits of health and friendship in addition to being a good-change agent.
For your 2026 calendar: an April 5K fun run (date TBD) and May 2, MCC’s first training run.
Let’s make 2026 a better year by Running for a brighter Palestine—and everything that represents.
This info session will be hybrid, hosted by UPA with a Zoom option. To RSVP, please contact the Iqraa Coordinator: kirkcruachan@yahoo.com.
The Parks Half Marathon
Race DaySeptember 27, 2026
80days to go.
The Parks Half Marathon
This race is a point-to-point run that starts in Rockville MD near the intersection of Redland Rd and Sommerville Ave. After about 2 miles on Needwood Rd, runners enter Needwood Park and carry on through the urban parkland along the Rock Creek valley to Bethesda MD.
Marine Corps Marathon and 10K
Race DayOctober 25, 2026
3months to go.
The “People’s Marathon” is one of the largest marathons in the world and typically features runners from all 50 states and over 50 countries, and includes many charity runners and U.S. service men and women. It starts near Arlington Cemetery and finishes at the Iwo Jima Memorial after winding thru many scenic parts of Washington DC and the environs.
iqraadc.org 