Keeping Children Safe during Ramadan

It is so good to see our younger brothers and sisters joining us for Tarawih this Ramadan. But as Parents and Elders, we have a responsibility to ensure that they are safe at all time.

With Tarawih being so late at night, it is even more important that you keep your children with you. Too many times we have seen young boys and girls wandering out of the Masjid compound which presents a danger to themselves, but also rightly gives rise to complaints from our neighbours. But even beyond that, as all adults are praying, it is difficult to ensure that their safety is not compromised by them venturing into off limits areas or even simple things like spilling water or drinks causing a hazard for others.

Last year we had problems with young boys abusing our neighbours and this year we are adamant this does not happen again.

Our role as parents is to ensure that the education we give them is Islamic not just in prayers and rituals, but also in behaviour. It is important that they understand and feel that their place is NOT unimportant and at the back of the mosque. They should feel secure in knowing that their parents want and need them to grow up as Muslims who are as important as any other member of the community. This will give them the sense of being part of a religious community who are inclusive, and it will instil in them the confidence to play an active role in society as a whole.

So let us keep our Youngsters close and show them that the elders need them as much as they need their elders.