From Running for Earthquake Victims to Acting as an Advocate for Education for Girls, Izmir Kassam Has Participated in 25 Races Since the Age of 4 and Raised Thousands of Dollars

By DR. SHAMEELA KARMALI-RAWJI

11-year-old Izmir Kassam, a fifth-grade student in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, aims to raise $40,000 by running 40 km in honour of the 40 years of the World Partnership Walk (WPW) that is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at Calgary downtown’s beautiful Prince’s Island Park.

TThe WPW is an initiative of Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), an agency within the vast Aga Khan Development Network dedicated to improving the quality of life of those in need, mainly in Asia and Africa, irrespective of their origin, faith, or gender. The AKDN’s multifaceted development approach aims to help communities and individuals become self-reliant. In Canada, the AKFC has partnered with the Government of Canada, Canadian institutions, and individual Canadians on hundreds of programs to tackle the root causes of poverty and inequality. One of its fund raising programs, the WPW, has united Canadians of all ages across the country for 40 years to fight global poverty. The WPW is Canada’s largest public movement in support of global development.

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While hundreds at Sunday’s Walk will be walking, Izmir will be running! Izmir’s love for running has led him to conquer various distances, from 10 km races to half marathons and even 100 km. Since starting to run at 4, Izmir has completed over 25 races. Despite the lack of distance running competitions for students of his age, he boldly races with adults, often finishing in the top 5% to 10% of runners.

“We are so glad that Izmir chose the Humanitarian Coalition for his fundraising initiative. We re all in awe of his dedication and commitment” — Catherine Dufour

When he was 8 years old, Izmir watched the withdrawal of the US from Afghanistan and the takeover by the Taliban, with graphic images of Afghans hanging onto the moving front wheels of planes taking off, making a desperate last attempt to leave a country doomed to abject poverty and total suppression of freedoms. He learnt subsequently about the ban on girls’ education that the Taliban placed immediately upon taking over the rule of Afghanistan.

Izmir, upon discovering that girls his age in Afghanistan were denied the right to education, was not just saddened but deeply empathetic. He had a newborn sister then and could not imagine her growing up without an education. The thought was unbearable. This profound empathy for the girls’ plight fueled his determination to transform his passion for running into a campaign for girls’ education in Afghanistan. That year, he completed a half marathon of 21 km, raising a significant $ 2,000 to support Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (CW4WAfghan). His inspiring effort was recognized in a Calgary Herald story titled Young Runner Going the Distance for Afghan Girls.

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In 2023, on his tenth birthday, a powerful earthquake hit Turkey and Syria. This earthquake resulted in over 50,000 deaths and over 250,000 buildings being damaged or destroyed in the region. That morning, after seeing the images of the devastation the earthquake caused, Izmir was spurred into action again! He took on the challenge of running 100 kilometres (ten runs of 10 kilometres each) to raise money via the Humanitarian Coalition. This Canadian charity unites top aid organizations in responding to global crises.

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With the added support of government matching, Izmir raised $30,000, and his fundraising efforts were recognized by His Excellency Kerim Uras, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Canada. Catherine Dufour of the organization Humanitarian Coalition commented, “We are so glad that Izmir chose the Humanitarian Coalition for his fundraising initiative. We are all in awe of his dedication and commitment.”

Major Canadian TV channnels carried Izmir’s run as a top story under the titles 10K for Turkey: Why a Young Calgary Boy is Raising Money for Victims of the Earthquake (CBC) and 10-year-old Calgary Boy Runs 100 km to Raise Money for Earthquake Victims (CTV News).

“Women and girls should have the opportunities and freedoms my sister and I have in Canada. No girl should grow up without an education or the freedom to be who she wants” — Izmir Kassam

The Aga Khan Development Network’s mandate is to work in challenging places where peace and stability are not always present. Infrastructure is often limited to help ensure that all women have a chance to harness their potential, have decent lives, and contribute to their communities. Izmir’s dedication to advancing this commitment is unwavering. He eloquently states women and girls should “have the opportunities and freedoms my sister and I have in Canada. No girl should grow up without an education or the freedom to be who she wants.”

Inspired also by his great aunt Mehrun Hassanali’s work with the World Partnership Walk, who was instrumental in its founding 40 years ago, Izmir decided to commemorate the WPW’s 40th anniversary by running 40 kilometres (four 10-kilometre runs).

His culminating run of the 10 final kilometres will take place on June 2 at the Calgary WPW event. He aims to complete the run within 40 minutes. The fundraising target for this 40th WPW Anniversary run is $40,000, and Izmir invites others to join him in this worthy cause.

Through this website, I invite readers to support Izmir and others like him in Calgary and around Canada, trying to raise money to support the Aga Khan Foundation’s annual World Partnership Event. In Izmir’s case, he aims to raise $40,000 to help eliminate global poverty. If 400 people donated $100 each, Izmir would reach his goal of $40,000. He also welcomes the support of other individuals to help him reach the target. Please click 2024 WORLD PARTNERSHIP WALK – IZMIR KASSAM

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And to all Calgarians and visitors to Calgary, please come to the beautiful Prince’s Island Park on June 2 and watch Izmir cross the finish line. The Park is located in Calgary downtown on  4 St. and 1 Ave. S.W.

Once again, you can participate in Izmir’s cherished goal by clicking on 2024 WORLD PARTNERSHIP WALK – IZMIR KASSAM.

Date posted: May 28, 2024.

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