News:

Two out of three children, statistically 63.5%, between the ages 0-15, suffer severe material deprivation in Turkey. This data is the result of a research prepared by Bahçeşehir University's Center for Economic and Social Research (Betam). The percentage of children in Turkey who can not meet their protein needs is 64.7%, while 39.9% are unable to warm themselves adequately, and 40% can not meet their clothing needs. In addition, as a result of this research, it was stated that a poverty reduction has not been observed this year.

At the same time DISK-AR (Turkish revolutionary labour union confederation), published a report titled "Fact About Child Labor in Turkey". It revealed that the total number of working children in Turkey between the ages of 5-17 has reached 8.397 million (participating in employment and working at home). Alongside a number of other details, and according to the data issued by the Occupational Health and Safety Centre in Istanbul, 59 out of 1,235 workers who lost their lives in 2013 were child workers. One out of 20 workers who died has been a child working due to poverty. The report also included the statements that "child labour is a major source of the vulnerable employment pool and that it is obvious that the rate of child murder in labour will increase."

Comment:

In reality, under the name of the "National Independence and Children's Day" on 23^rd April, the Turkish Republic is celebrating the step by step removal of the Islamic state and changing over to the secular capitalist life-style, rather than celebrating its children. Our children struggle to survive in a system that is degenerating day by day, which forces their parents to struggle for their daily bread, while depriving them of education and an upbringing in a healthy environment! This implemented secular capitalistic system has turned the vast majority of the people, regardless of women and children, into an instrument contributing only to the interests and wealth of those who own power and capital. Such researches are published again and again every year. Whereby the solutions provided, they serve only to keep afloat the capitalistic wealth owners and the secular system.

However, the Ummah under the Khilafah "Caliphate" system which implemented the laws of Allah (swt), had nurtured numerous of female and male scholars, conquerors, combatants, and myriads of who honoured Allah (swt) and RasulAllah (saw), and their mothers and fathers were rewarded with the greatest of honours both worldly and the hereafter. This Ummah lived rich and palmy days where one could not find anyone poor to give Zakat or alms to. While even these researches clearly state that this capitalistic system is chattering from every angle, it is a huge misconception to celebrate it and to put effort in keeping it alive!

أَفَمَنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَانَهُ عَلَى تَقْوَى مِنَ اللّهِ وَرِضْوَانٍ خَيْرٌ أَم مَّنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَانَهُ عَلَىَ شَفَا جُرُفٍ هَارٍ فَانْهَارَ بِهِ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ وَاللّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ

"Which then is best? - He who laid the foundation of his building on piety to Allah and His good Pleasure? Or he who laid the foundation of his building on the edge of a bank ready to crumble to pieces, so that it crumbled to pieces with him into the Fire of Hell. And Allah guides not the people who are the wrongdoers." [At-Tawbah: 109]

Written for Central Media Office Hizb ut Tahrir by

Umm Khalid

Member of The Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir