On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: Muslim Council of Elders Calls for Upholding the Dignity, Protection, and Care of Senior Citizens as a Religious, Humanitarian, and Societal Duty
The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirms that caring for the elderly and protecting them from all forms of neglect, physical abuse, psychological harm, or social marginalization is a moral and religious obligation that must not be overlooked. It represents one of the highest forms of righteousness advocated by Islam and emphasized by the Prophet of Mercy, Muhammad (PBUH), who said: “He is not one of us who does not show reverence to our elders.”
In a statement issued to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed annually on June 15, the Council stated that the true measure of a civilized society lies in the care and appreciation it shows toward its elderly. This generation represents sacrifice, wisdom, and experience—those who paved the way for the present. It is therefore our collective duty to ensure they enjoy a life of dignity, supported by comprehensive health, social, and psychological care that reflects their inherent human and moral status. The statement further stressed that acts of kindness and loyalty to elders should not diminish with age, but rather deepen and strengthen. Preserving a person’s dignity in old age is among the sincerest forms of compassion and solidarity that must be cultivated and upheld.
The Muslim Council of Elders places strong emphasis on the protection and care of senior citizens and actively works to raise awareness of their rights and dignity. In this context, the Council partnered with the Pontifical Academy for Life at the Vatican and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) to launch an international declaration in support of the elderly—the first official initiative of the Vatican under the leadership of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. This declaration recognizes older persons as the custodians of collective memory and identity, bearers of wisdom and experience whose transmission to younger generations strengthens societal resilience in the face of crises and lays the groundwork for a more balanced and stable future.
The Muslim Council of Elders calls on all communities, individuals, institutions, and international organizations to fulfill their ethical and humanitarian responsibilities toward senior citizens. This includes enacting and enforcing protective legislation, implementing care and awareness programs, upholding their rights, and combating all forms of age-based discrimination. Such efforts are vital to enhancing the status of older persons and ensuring their right to a safe, dignified, and fulfilling life.