The Muslim Council of Elders, under the Chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, underscores that children represent the true hope for humanity’s future. Protecting their rights is not just a social obligation but a religious responsibility and ethical duty which requires unified and intensified international efforts to address crises affecting children, particularly in regions afflicted by wars, conflicts, and natural disasters. These children endure harsh living conditions that threaten their well-being and deprive them of their fundamental rights to safety, protection, education, and healthcare.

In a statement marking World Children’s Day, observed annually on November 20, the Council emphasizes that Islam places great importance on the care and protection of children and their rights. It highlights the need to ensure children’s rights in all aspects of life, including psychological and social support, as well as investments in education and development. These efforts aim to raise children in environments that uphold their dignity, fostering a generation that is responsible, aware, and capable of addressing future challenges while contributing to the advancement and prosperity of their societies.

The statement also highlights the Council’s significant efforts in raising awareness about the importance of proper child care and instilling values of dialogue, tolerance, and coexistence among children. The Document on Human Fraternity, co-signed by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and His Holiness Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi in 2019, serves as a global reference for advancing human rights, particularly those of children. It affirms that children’s fundamental rights—including proper family upbringing, nutrition, education, and healthcare—are a shared responsibility of families and communities. Additionally, no child should be deprived of these rights, regardless of location since the document also calls for the condemnation of all practices that undermine children’s dignity or violate their human rights.