Muslim Council of Elders calls on the international community to halt the bloodshed of children and civilians in Gaza.

The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, calls for the urgent protection from children from becoming victims of wars and conflicts witnessed in our world today. The council emphasizes the escalating violence in many regions worldwide, particularly highlighting the Israeli aggression on Gaza, resulting in thousands of child casualties, numerous injuries, and families losing their homes, and basic necessities, leading to challenging humanitarian conditions.

In a statement issued on World Children's Day, observed on November 20 of each year, the council underscores the necessity to halt the increasing violence affecting children globally. It particularly condemns the Israeli aggression on Gaza, expressing concern over the loss of life, injuries, and the dire humanitarian situation faced by children.

The statement emphasizes that World Children's Day serves as a stark reminder of the shared responsibility of the international community to provide care and protection for children, putting an end to all forms of risks and difficult humanitarian conditions they may face, safeguarding their human dignity based on our religious and ethical responsibilities.

The council also referred to the Document on Human Fraternity which was co-signed by His Eminence the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and His Holiness Pope Francis of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi in 2019. The document affirms the fundamental rights of children, including upbringing, nutrition, education, and care, as duties incumbent upon families and society. It also stresses the importance of ensuring these rights for every child and condemns any practices that compromise their dignity or violate their rights.

The statement praised the United Arab Emirates for hosting around 1000 Palestinian children from Gaza along with their families, providing medical treatment and healthcare. It also acknowledged Egypt for receiving newborns from Gaza, ensuring proper healthcare for them. The council called on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities and halt the bloodshed of children and women in Gaza.