On the International Day Against Child Labour – Muslim Council of Elders: Providing Education, Care, and a Dignified Life for Children Is the Cornerstone of Building Stable and Prosperous Societies
The Muslim Council of Elders, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, affirmed that protecting children from economic exploitation and all forms of abuse is a shared moral and humanitarian responsibility. It requires the concerted efforts of governments, international organizations, and local communities to ensure that all children enjoy their fundamental rights to education, care, protection, and healthy development in a safe and dignified environment.
In a statement on the International Day Against Child Labour, observed annually on 12 June, the Council emphasized that child labour is not only a violation of children’s rights and human dignity, but also deprives millions of children around the world of opportunities for education and personal development. It further exposes them to physical, psychological, and social risks, the consequences of which may extend into their future and the future of their communities.
The Council noted that the tolerant teachings of Islam, along with all divine religions and international conventions and laws, call for safeguarding human dignity and ensuring the protection and care of children. These frameworks emphasize the importance of providing a suitable environment for children’s upbringing, education, and development, enabling them to contribute positively to their societies and nations. The Council also called for strengthening international efforts aimed at eliminating child labour and addressing its underlying economic and social causes, thereby contributing to a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for coming generations.
The Document on Human Fraternity, co-signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019 by His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, alongside the late Pope Francis, former Pontiff of the Catholic Church, affirms that children’s fundamental rights—to family upbringing, nutrition, education, and care—are both a duty and a moral responsibility shared by families and society. These rights must be guaranteed, protected, and never denied to any child, anywhere. Any practice that undermines children’s dignity or violates their rights must be firmly condemned.
The Muslim Council of Elders also reiterates that true investment in the future of humanity begins with protecting and empowering children. Providing them with education, care, and a dignified life is the cornerstone of building stable and prosperous societies grounded in security, peace, and sustainable development.