Cover Story

Are we fulfilling our commitment to children? That is the question asked in Investing in the Children of the Islamic World, a new report of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and UNICEF. This report reviews the situation of children in 57 Muslim countries, assesses progress in the areas of health, education, child protection and HIV/AIDS, and identifies necessary action. It will serve as a background document for the First Ministerial Conference on the Child, to be held in Rabat from 7-9 November 2005. More than one quarter of the world’s 2 billion children live in Muslim countries-members of the OIC-where they represent more than 40 per cent of the Muslim population. In OIC countries, about 4. 3 million children under five die every year from preventable diseases and malnutrition. About 6 million children under five suffer from malnutrition in the form of stunting, with low height for their age. Primary school participation remains below 60 per cent in 20 OIC countries. Packed with comprehensive research on Promoting Healthy Lives, Child Protection, Combating HIV/AIDS and Statistical Tables on Economic Indicators, the report will enrich the dialogue on how to translate the vision of “A World Fit for Children’ into a reality for all.


For detail report, log on to www.unicef.org or email pubdoc@unicef.org or write to: Distribution Unit, Division of Communication, UNICEF, 3 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) urged American Muslims and other people of conscience to call their elected representatives and ask that they sign on to a House Resolution recognising the upcoming Islamic fast of Ramadan.


The Resolution states in part: “During this time of conflict, in order to demonstrate solidarity with and support for members of the community of Islam in the United States and throughout the world, the House of Representatives recognises the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world, and out of respect for the commencement of Ramadan, the House of Representatives acknowledges the onset of Ramadan and expresses its deepest respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world”. CAIR is also asking mosques and Islamic centres nationwide to host a “Sharing Ramadan” Iftar, designed to enhance understanding of Islam and to help Americans of all faiths meet their Muslim neighbours. A “Sharing Ramadan Resource Guide” providing step-by-step instructions for hosting such an event is available online at: www.cair.com sharingramadan05.pdf.