Turkish first lady signs declaration to protect children’s education in Gaza, conflict zones

By Zafer Fatih Beyaz

Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan has signed a joint declaration calling for the protection of children’s right to education in Gaza and other conflict-affected regions.

The declaration, titled “A Grim Year for the Education of Children Living in Conflict Zones,” was issued by the Education Above All Foundation, founded by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, mother of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The declaration was released on the occasion of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack.

Emine Erdogan accompanied President Erdogan to the Extraordinary Joint Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League in Doha on Sept. 15, where she met with Sheikha Moza.

Regarding the declaration, Erdogan said on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, “Every child deprived of education is a piece torn from our future. I call on all conscientious hearts to join this effort."

The declaration highlights the growing threats to education in conflict zones, noting that children continue to face death, injury, starvation, and denial of basic human rights, including schooling.

It calls for urgent international action to end violations in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, Colombia, and elsewhere.

Signatories include spouses of world leaders and senior international figures, such as Sheikha Moza; Mirela Becirovic of Bosnia; Veronica Alcocer Garcia of Colombia; Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow of Gambia; Fatima Maada Bio of Sierra Leone; Princess Dana Firas of the Petra National Foundation; Wan Azizah Ismail of Malaysia; and former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf, among others.