Muslim Council Of Elders Urges Global Awareness And Protection For Women's Rights Against Violence

The Muslim Council of Elders has declared that safeguarding women from all forms of violence is a fundamental religious, moral, and humanitarian duty. This includes protection against physical, psychological, verbal, and digital abuse. The Council stresses the importance of raising global awareness about women's rights to eliminate gender-based violence, thereby promoting social harmony and family stability.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed on 25th November each year, the Council highlighted Islam's teachings that honour women as mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives. These teachings ensure their dignity is protected and their rights are respected as a collective responsibility. The Council also emphasised the need for special protection for women in conflict zones and disaster-stricken areas where they face increased risks.

The Muslim Council of Elders actively promotes women's empowerment through various programmes and international dialogue platforms. These efforts aim to foster values of human fraternity and peaceful coexistence while encouraging a culture of compassion and mutual respect worldwide. The Council believes that empowering women is crucial for building a just society.

The historic Document on Human Fraternity, signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019 by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb and the late Pope Francis, supports this stance. It clearly affirms women's protection, rejects violence and discrimination against them, condemns practices that undermine their dignity, ensures their full rights, and opposes cultural impositions contrary to their beliefs or ethics.

The Council calls for unified efforts from religious, intellectual, and institutional sectors to create a world free from violence against women. They envision a society governed by justice, dignity, and equity for all individuals. This call to action highlights the necessity of collaboration across different sectors to achieve this goal.

By focusing on these initiatives, the Muslim Council of Elders aims to entrench values that support human fraternity. They advocate for peaceful coexistence while promoting a global culture rooted in compassion and cooperation. These efforts are essential in ensuring justice and equity prevail in society.

With inputs from WAM