Azhar, Coptic Church issue publications on violence against children

Al Azhar and the Coptic Orthodox Church, in cooperation with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), launched on Monday three publications by religious scholars on Islamic and Christian perspectives on protecting children from violence and harmful practices.

Religious leaders from Egypt’s two main faiths united to present their perspectives in a joint publication “Peace. Love. Tolerance. Key Messages from Islam and Christianity on Protecting Children from Violence and Harmful Practices”.

The publication, the first ever joint document on this issue, provides guidance for parents, caregivers, teachers and religious leaders on avoiding and preventing violence, while working towards putting an end to violence against children.

The document addresses 11 forms of violence and harmful practices faced by children in Egypt, the region and around the world. 

It covers child and forced marriage; female genital mutilation/cutting; discrimination among children; child labour; sexual abuse of children; absence of family care and homelessness; domestic violence against children; violence in schools and education institutions; children in armed conflicts; trafficking of children; and violence against children on television and the internet.

According to the latest data, six out of ten children around the world have experienced physical punishment – nearly 1 billion children aged 2–14 years. In Egypt, 78 per cent of children of this age group are exposed to corporal punishment by their caregivers.

Grand Imam and Shaykh of Al Azhar Prof. Dr. Ahmad Al Tayib, said: “Fulfilling children’s rights is one of the key pillars of Islamic Law. This is a matter of safeguarding religion, the soul, mind, our offspring and prosperity. Children’s rights exist for the protection of our offspring.”

Meanwhile, Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the Holy See of Saint Mark, said: “Children are a gift to humanity. A philosopher was once asked: ‘Is there any evidence that God still loves people despite their sins?’ He answered: ‘certainly, and the evidence is that God creates for us millions of children every day.’ Children are like flowers in our lives. We have to love them and treat them in a good way, and understand their needs.”

For his part, the Minister of Awkaf, His Excellency Prof. Dr. Mokhtar Gomaa, said: “Islam is a religion of mercy. It takes care of children at every stage of their lives. The Ministry of Awkaf will contribute effectively through its distinguished imams, particularly the young ones, who will join other institutions in delivering the messages included in these publications.”

Professor Gamal Abou El–Serour, Director of the International Islamic Centre for Population Studies and Research (IICPSR), said: “The importance of the messages conveyed in these publications lies in providing the correct perspective of the Islamic ‘Sharia and in refuting some misconceptions relating to violence against children and harmful practices.”

H. G. Bishop Yolios, Bishop of Public, Ecumenical and Social Services (BLESS), said: “Childhood is a fertile time for the growth of all that is wonderful. To protect our children and society it is very important that the message of these publications reaches every caregiver and all relevant religious and social entities.”

Dr. Peter Salama, UNICEF’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa region said: “This joint initiative comes at a critical time for the region, where children are experiencing unprecedented levels of violence. He added: “We do hope that other religious institutions in the region will endorse this initiative and work together towards decreasing all forms of violence against children.”

Source: MENA