Oldham mountaineer sets challenge to climb 14 of the highest mountains
Mountaineer Akke Raham has already made history, in 2020 he became the first British Muslim to scale Mount Everest, and now he’s set his eyes on another groundbreaking challenge.
The 41-year-old brand ambassador for the UK Islamic Mission (UKIM) has set himself a massive challenge: he’s going to climb 14 of the highest mountains in the world within 18 months, and all for a good cause.
All 14 mountains are 8,000 metres or higher.
If he achieves his momentous challenge, he’ll join an exclusive club of those who have taken on the challenge and completed it – only 51 have done it so far. He’ll also be the first British Muslim to go to all 14 peaks.
His previous mountain climbing efforts have seen him raise more than £500,000 for charities.
It is a privilege to be a Muslim pioneer in mountaineering
Akke Raham
According to The Oldham Times, the father-of-three says that he doesn’t want to “take the credit” for his achievements.
He said: “I am inspiring a lot of people and I am proud that through my climbing I have helped raise a lot of money for a lot of poor people. It is a privilege to be a Muslim pioneer in mountaineering.”
He said: “Growing up in Oldham was tough at times but my parents made it easy for me.
“I was always sporty and popular throughout my school years.
“I had a lot of friends and family around me.”
Akke Raham was born in Bangladesh but came to the UK at the age of one. He left his office job after feeling dissatisfied and took to mountaineering.
I thought I need to do something to become somebody in order to inspire my children
Akke Raham
He said: “I thought I need to do something to become somebody in order to inspire my children.
“I was very athletic growing up – I loved football and could run 100 metres in 11.5 seconds and I was also the triple jump champion of Greater Manchester at the age of 14. So I decided to try mountaineering and started to climb mountains.”
“At the time I didn’t dream I could ever climb Mt Everest which I did after two years of climbing experience.”He started off by climbing Mt Elbrus – the highest mountain in Europe which is located in Russia.
Challenge for Charity
The charity UKIM is working closely with its partners on the ground in Gaza. They’ve been able to get five trucks in Gaza within the last few weeks – and more trucks are ready to go.
UKIM aims to make the life of British people -Muslim and non-Muslim – better through education.
They have 55 branches throughout the UK. They raise funds for local and international causes.
What is the meaning of eight-thousander?
Any of the fourteen independent mountains on Earth, all located in Asia, that extend more than 8,000 metres (26,247 ft) above sea level.
Where are the 14 peaks above 8000 meters?
Find out about the 14 mountain peaks that are part of the eight-thousander club!
- No. 1 – Mount Everest
- No. 2 – K2
- No. 3 – Kangchenjunga
- No. 4 – Lhotse
- No. 5 – Makalu
- No. 6 – Cho Oyu
- No. 7 – Dhaulagiri
- No. 8 – Manaslu
- No. 9 – Nanga Parbat
- No. 10 – Annapurna
- No. 11 – Gasherbrum I
- No. 12 – Broad Peak
- No. 13 – Gasherbrum II
- No. 14 – Shishapangma