B.C. Dodge & R. Mordant Mahon talk to Zaki Hadrami about bicycling 100 miles for refugees in this episode of “What a Relief!” — IRUSA’s official podcast.
Zaki Hadrami is a bike enthusiast—so smitten that he built his own bike and named it. So when he was watching the news a couple of years ago and saw refugees riding bikes across countries in Europe to look for a safe place to live, that caught his attention.
“I saw a pregnant woman riding a bike long distances,” he said. “I thought if they can do it, why can’t I?”
So he did it—two 100-mile bike rides—and he donated the money to UNRWA refugees.
This year, he’s doing it again: two more 100-mile rides, and this time he’s raising the money for IRUSA.
“The hardest part is when you hit 60 miles, and that 40 miles starts messing with your head—‘What are you doing?’” he said. “My mind almost given up a couple times, but the refugees remind me—those in need keep me going.”
His inspiration comes from stories like the bike club in Palestine that heard about him and invited him to ride with them. He says they dream of being able to ride 100 miles without being stopped. Instead, they have to ride cross-country. So the open road looks like a blessing to Zaki now.
Zaki’s rides this year are in California and near D.C., and his goal is $4,000 in donations for refugees. He invites you to ride along with him. If you’re not up for 100 miles on short notice, you’re welcome to join him in the second half and ride back with him.
Or if you’re not into cycling—he’s used to being an oddity in the Muslim community—you can donate instead.
Tune in to the podcast to find out about a triple challenge to match the top donation.
Find out what he’s going to listen to along the way, and what piece of art is on his bike to inspire him to get through those last 40 miles this year.
Read more about Zaki Hadrami–including how his grandfather’s solo migration at age 10 inspired his mission–in this month’s e-newsletter, landing in your inbox on April 24. If you’re not signed up for the newsletter, subscribe by clicking here
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