By Salawati Haji Yahya –
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, NOV 22 – Children are one of the greatest blessings of Allah SWT to us, which is a trust and responsibility that must be taken care of by parents.
They are awarded by Allah SWT as a test to His servants, whether with that gift, we will increase piety and be grateful for favors or vice versa.
Khatib affirmed the matter while delivering today’s Friday sermon titled Every Child Has Rightsand further added, the most basic right for every child is the right to life.
As parents, guardians and members of the community, this great gift should be fulfilled with full responsibility because they are not only a valuable asset to the family but also an asset to the nation and the country.
Islam has given great attention to the protection of children’s rights, which include spiritual and physical, intellectual, moral, economic and so on.
He said, “We must strive to protect children’s lives by providing perfect care, maintenance and nurturing. This is because the formation of children’s souls is influenced by the way they are cared for from birth to adulthood so that they grow up to be useful people.”
Khatib emphasized that the right to get an education is also very important. Islam emphasizes the importance of knowledge as stated in the Quran.
Khatib called on all parties to ensure that no child is denied the opportunity to learn and grow. The family is the first environment, playing an important role in shaping the child’s personality through politeness education, getting used to good practices, responsibility exercises and so on.
In Brunei Darussalam, children’s education rights are guaranteed by law, a blessing to be grateful for. Through education, children can be prepared to become a generation that is devoted to religion, race and country.
Khatib also emphasized the right of children to get love. Every child deserves to be treated with kindness, love, and compassion.
“It is our responsibility to create a safe environment, where children feel valued and loved,” emphasized the preacher, adding that they must also be protected from abuse, violence, exploitation, and neglect.
In addition, the right to grow up in a healthy and safe environment is also important.
Health care, balanced nutrition and adequate safety are basic needs for children.
In a stressful world, mental health also needs attention. Emotional problems such as anxiety and depression are a threat to children. We act as a place that children depend on and can be trusted.