WNAM REPORT: The inclusion of religious leaders in efforts to raise awareness about child protection can yield meaningful and lasting results, said Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Dr Syed Ata ur Rehman on Tuesday.
He was speaking while presiding over a consultative meeting with interfaith religious leaders held at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, organized in collaboration with UNICEF and Islamic Relief Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology Dr Mufti Raghib Hussain Naeemi, Country Head Islamic Relief Pakistan Asif Shirazi, Allama Arif Hussain Wahidi, Mufti Zamir Ahmed Sajid, Allama Sajjad Hussain Naqvi, Maulana Haroon ur Rasheed Bala Kotay, Pir Azmat Sultan, Hafiz Muhammad Iqbal Naeemi, Christopher Sharaf, Pandit Rakesh Chand, Huma Arif child protection specialist Unicef, Afshan Javed child protection expert at Islamic Relief Pakistan, Sahibzada Ali Sultan, Dr Ghulam Dastagir, Dr Ashfaq Ahmed from the Council of Islamic Ideology, Deputy Director Religious Affairs Muhammad Khaliq and Ayesha Ejaz.
The secretary appreciated the recommendations presented through the Child Protection Forum and stressed that positive social change is not possible without the active involvement of religious communities. He said dialogue and collective efforts were essential to address social issues and bring about meaningful reforms.
Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology Dr Raghib Naeemi said that following the Zainab case, the council had issued several recommendations regarding legislation and prevention of physical, sexual and psychological abuse of children. He recalled a time when elders in neighbourhoods collectively looked after all children, reflecting a strong sense of shared responsibility.
Participants agreed on the importance of raising awareness among parents and teachers regarding children’s education, upbringing, protection and emotional and mental development. The meeting also highlighted the need to address factors contributing to child labour and early marriages.
