INSPIRED by the struggle of the Palestinian people, one of Savannah’s most dedicated nonprofits will hold a 5K next week to raise funds for displaced persons in our own community.

The 5K For Peace happens Saturday, Oct. 4, and invites community members of all ages and abilities to participate in either the full 5K run/walk or a 1-mile family loop, beginning and ending at Ellis Square downtown. (See full route below).

Beyond the race, the 5K For Peace will feature local cultural and community organizations dedicated to promoting peace, making this a meaningful and family-friendly activity for the entire community.

Proceeds benefit Rooted Ummah, whose mission is to support unhoused neighbors, immigrants, refugees, and displaced communities through meal programs, a day center, and refugee services.

 “Ummah” is an Arabic word roughly meaning a people with a shared community and values.

Laila Abdallah is the founder of Rooted Ummah, and also director of Savannah For Palestine and Your Space Collective.

“A few months ago we asked on the Savannah For Palestine Instagram ‘would you guys be into a 5K if we put on on?’ We had over 100 people reply saying yes,” she says.

This particular event, she says, is being called “specifically a 5K for Peace. We’re focusing on making it a family event – spending time together as a community.”

Eventually, Abdallah says, “We would love to hold the 5K for Peace annually, all for peace and justice, as different things happen in different places around the world.”

The main inspiration for the 5K, of course, is the ongoing devastation of the Palestinian people in Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces, recently officially described as a genocide by the United Nations.

“We’re at the end of year two. I’ve been reflecting how different year two is vs. year one,” Abdallah says. “As activists it’s important that we find ways to preserve our own humanity. Things like taking more outside walks. Doing things that make us feel human.”

Funds from this 5K For Peace will be used primarily at the local level – not least because it is so difficult to get funding and aid into Gaza at all at this time.

“Primarily our focus is displaced people. Anyone who’s been shoved out of where they once were,” Abdallah says of Rooted Ummah’s mission.

“All the funds raised will be used for our existing and emerging initiatives, which help local immigrants, refugees, displaced persons, and unhoused persons, to help with meals, clothes, showers, hygiene, harm reduction – anything of that nature,” she says.

Registration is open now through October 3rd and includes a race bib, pin, and access to post race community celebration! Participants are encouraged to register at rootedummah.org/5k4peace.

Saturday, October 4, 2025

• Check-in at 8:00 AM
• 5k starts at 9:00 AM
• Family 1 Mile starts at 9:20 AM