Al-Azhar University and UNICEF promote “Children in Islam” manual

The Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Mohammed Sayed Tantawy (right) at the Iftar event which highlighted "Children in Islam" manual

Cairo, 15 October, 2006:
Key issues in “Children in Islam”, a manual jointly published by Al-Azhar University and UNICEF in November 2005, were highlighted in an Iftar event organized last Tuesday by the International Islamic Centre for Population Studies and Research of Al-Azhar University and UNICEF. His Excellency the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, the President and Deputies of Al-Azhar University, members of the Islamic Research Council and other senior religious leaders and academics participated in the event.

The manual “Children in Islam” underscores that the care, protection and development of children is central to Islam. It discusses and provides guidance on children’s rights in matters such as health, education and protection drawing from both Islamic evidence, with reference to the Quran and Hadiths, and scientific facts.

“Children in Islam” was produced in the hopes that more religious leaders as well as development professionals will widely benefit from it in advancing the well-being of children. It presents views of Islam on sensitive and controversial issues concerning children such as child labour, violence against children, physical and sexual abuse, and HIV/AIDS.

The Iftar event promoted the participatory process by which this manual was produced, and discussed ways to push forward the main issues that the book raises. Participants also reflected on the key benefits that this manual could bring to children, their families and society as a whole.

Dr. Gamal Abu El-Serour speaks at the event

“We would like this fusion of religious and scientific research to be widely used by all entities concerned with children’s issues, such as religious leaders –who call for the care and protection of children-, health workers, policy makers, and governmental as well as non-governmental organizations”, said Dr. Gamal Abu El-Serour, the Director of the International Islamic Centre for Population Studies and Research and head of the team that prepared the manual.

“Everyone present here today is of great influence over the people around them”, said Hannan Sulieman, Senior Programme Officer in UNICEF Egypt. “And we need to deliver this manual to all people so they can benefit from the many valuable messages that it carries”,

An electronic copy of “Children in Islam” is available at:
http://www.unicef.org/egypt/media_2369.html

For more information please contact:

Sahar Hegazi
Programme Communication Officer, UNICEF Egypt
Tel: 526-5083 thru 9 (x 211) shegazi@unicef.org

Iman Morooka
Assistant Communication Officer, UNICEF Egypt
Tel: 526-5083 thru 9 (x 206) imorooka@unicef.org

Dr. Ahmad Ragai
International Islamic Centre for Population Studies and Research/ Al-Azhar University
Tel: 512-2749/ 010-1475291 arragab@yahoo.com