HÜDA PAR’s Family Affairs Directorate issued a statement on Wednesday marking November 20, World Children’s Day, drawing sharp attention to widespread violations against children around the world.

In its message, the Directorate condemned the continued oppression faced by Gaza’s children for more than two years, stressing that their plight symbolizes the global failure to protect the most vulnerable. The statement emphasized the Prophet Muhammad’s exemplary mercy toward children, presenting his conduct as a model urgently needed in today’s world.

“The West has a long record of wrongdoing regarding children”

Recalling that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was signed on November 20, 1989, HÜDA PAR noted that the agreement aims to guarantee every child’s right to life, protection, health, education, shelter, and development—without discrimination.

However, the organization criticized Western countries for celebrating World Children’s Day while ignoring their own historical and ongoing abuses. The statement said: “Long before 1989, the West forced its own children into the harshest labor, denied them basic human rights, abducted and enslaved children from other lands, and subjected them to exploitation, hunger, and deprivation. The West’s record on children remains deeply stained.”

The Directorate argued that the day’s symbolic commemorations stand in stark contrast to persistent global injustices faced by children living in war, poverty, hunger, and abandonment.

“No concrete steps taken for Gaza’s oppressed children”

The statement further accused Western governments of selective concern regarding children’s rights, arguing that Muslim children suffering under conflict or exploitation rarely receive international attention.

“Despite more than two years of relentless oppression in Gaza, not a single meaningful step has been taken to protect the rights of its children,” the Directorate said, calling this silence a clear sign of hypocrisy.

A call for the Prophet’s compassion-centered vision

HÜDA PAR concluded its message by urging a return to the values embodied by Prophet Muhammad, whom it described as a leader of mercy who personally showed compassion even to the smallest of sorrows, such as consoling a child over the death of a pet bird.

“Today’s world needs the Prophet’s mercy-filled approach more than ever,” the message said. “It is the responsibility of Muslims to work harder to ensure that a justice- and compassion-centered vision prevails.” (ILKHA)