What a perfect world we would have, if we could see the world through the eyes of a child. Children are born pure and innocent, they bring joy and laughter wherever they are.

Have you ever passed by a school whilst the children are out on the playground?  Squeals of laughter abound throughout the air; those happy  sounds truly warm my heart.

It gives me a glimmer of hope that a brighter world will come about as these happy children today, will ultimately   grow into happy and kind people; surely with them as our future, it will be bright. Unfortunately there are many children living in an imperfect,  in fact horrendous world, and these  children’s future is not too bright.

Sadly, children are suffering today in droves  just as children in past generations suffered; not much has changed. Child abuse and neglect continues to spiral out of control. To add to this,  children have been bombed, left parentless and in lots of cases, without whole families and sometimes, survivors are left maimed and massively traumatised.

We need a reset. A reset of humanity.

This week International World Children’s Day was observed to highlight the rights and wellbeing of children globally. Sadly, we are failing the children drastically.

The statistics of children maimed and killed from 2023 to the present is staggering. Data on child deaths caused by war and civil conflicts follows:

In 2023, an estimated 11,649 children were killed or maimed in conflict zones, averaging 32 children harmed daily. This included 5,301 fatalities, often from explosive weapons in populated areas. The highest casualties were in countries like Yemen, Syria, Ukraine, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo​​​​.

In Ukraine, during the first half of 2024 alone, 341 children were documented as killed or injured, marking a sharp increase compared to late 2023. This data is corroborated by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) ​​​​. Many deaths were linked to missile and drone strikes targeting civilian areas​​.

Reports also note significant under-reporting due to access restrictions and fear of reprisals, suggesting the actual numbers may be higher.

These figures underline the urgent need for stricter international protections and accountability measures to safeguard children in conflict zones.

Save the Children and Unicef work extensively to document these violations and assist affected children. These two organisations have reported over 10,000 child deaths in Gaza since October 7, 2024, primarily due to airstrikes and ground operations, as well as 33 Israeli children killed during the same period. The reports also highlight severe injuries, psychological trauma, and the humanitarian crisis affecting over 1.1 million children in Gaza​​​​.

Unicef and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs have also documented widespread damage to infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, and the critical lack of water, food, and medical supplies in Gaza. They emphasise that over 40 per cent of casualties in Gaza are children​​.

These statistics reflect the fact that the world’s future is in grave jeopardy. The bottom line is we have to stop this genocide. The future is being exterminated.

Children right here in Bermuda are suffering too. We need to volunteer and assist wherever possible with organisations that promote the safety and wellbeing of our island’s children.

The Koran emphasises the value and significance of children in several ways, highlighting their importance as blessings, responsibilities, and sources of joy.

There is a song sung by Johnny Mathis, the lyrics are beautiful and it has been my all-time favourite song for many years:

A ray of hope flickers in the sky

A tiny star lights up way up high

All across the land, dawns a brand new morn

This comes to pass when a child is born

A silent wish sails the seven seas

The winds of change whisper in the trees

And the walls of doubt crumble, tossed and torn

This comes to pass when a child is born.

It's phenomenal the hope that springs eternal each time a child is born. However, imagine the flip side of it; when a child dies? What happens to hope? Hope for a better future diminishes too. We cannot let this happen; allowing this unrest to continue will be a detriment to all of us.

In Islam, children are viewed as a profound blessing from Allah, a source of joy, and a responsibility. Parents are encouraged to cherish them, express gratitude for them, and raise them in a way that aligns with godly values.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught: “When a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them.” (Sahih Muslim, 1631)

This Hadith highlights how children can be a source of blessings even after a parent's death, through their righteous actions and prayers.

We are also taught that we have a responsibility towards future generations.

Islam teaches that present generations have a duty to create a better world for future generations by upholding justice, promoting good, and preventing harm.

“And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.“ (Surah Aal-E-Imran, 3:104)

Bermuda we must continue to demand hope for our children, for our future. We must continue to demand ceasefire now wherever bombs are blasting.

Have a wonderful week filled with blessings and peace.

As salama alaykum (peace be unto you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam