UNICEF and Ministry of Religious Affairs Launch Book on Islam and Child Rights

JAKARTA, Indonesia, 10 June 2023 – UNICEF and the Ministry of Religious Affairs today launched a book that explores the connection between children’s rights and Islamic views on the protection of children.

The book The Islamic Perspective on Protecting Children from Violence and Harmful Practices was launched at the national Islamic Fest event, attended by religious leaders, policymakers and other stakeholders from across Indonesia.

Citing examples from Islamic scriptures, the book underscores the importance of fulfilling children’s right to protection from all forms of violence and harmful practices. It also examines the role of parents, religious leaders and the communities in protecting children.

Originally published in Arabic by the Al-Azhar University in Egypt, the book was translated to Bahasa Indonesia by UNICEF and Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs for distribution to Islamic leaders and institutions. It is available at no cost to the public.

“UNICEF recognizes the profoundly important role of religious scholars, leaders and institutions of all faith as advocates, educators and agents of change,” said UNICEF Representative Maniza Zaman. “It is our hope that this publication will become a valuable resource for religious academics, community leaders, educators and parents alike, inspiring and deepening commitments to protect and nurture children.”

“This book will also serve as an essential resource for policy makers within the Ministry of Religious Affairs, ensuring that every policy issued genuinely prioritizes children's rights and shields them from acts of violence and other perilous practices,” said Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs is committed to creating policies that mainstream child protection and child right principles. Through collaborative efforts with other institutions such as the Ministry of Health and the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN), the Ministry of Religious Affairs supports programmes to reduce stunting, address child marriages, and foster safe and inclusive learning environments in madrasahs, Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), and other educational institutions.

The book will be distributed to tertiary level Islamic schools across the country for lecturers to integrate children’s rights in existing teaching material on relevant subjects such as human rights, Islamic family law and Islamic preaching.

It will also be made available for capacity building initiatives with religious organizations, to deepen their understanding of children’s rights and strengthen their role as advocates for child protection.

The book The Islamic Perspective on Protecting Children from Violence and Harmful Practices can be downloaded for free here.