Rabah Nasir, Worcester Park
The word “girl” carries centuries of history. In Middle English, “girle” referred simply to a young person, yet over time it has come to signify a female child: the bearer of dreams, potential, and a promise of the future.
The Holy Qur’an reminds us: “O ye people! fear your Lord, Who created you from a single being and created therefrom its mate, and from the two spread many men and women…” (4:2). In Islam the equal origin and dignity of every human being was emphasised from the beginning. Every girl is entrusted with potential and purpose, a light capable of shaping her family, community, and the wider world.
Each year, on 11 October, the world comes together to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child. This day is a gentle, yet powerful, call to see girls as they truly are full of promise, curiosity, and resilience. It is a day to listen to their voices, to acknowledge the challenges they face, and to honour the dreams they carry. This year is especially poignant, marking 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, a milestone in the global effort to champion equality. Yet even after decades of progress, millions of girls still face barriers: poverty, conflict, and social pressures. All of which clouds the brightness of their potential.
Islam recognises and upholds the dignity and worth of girls. In an era when daughters were often undervalued, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) restored their honour. He treated his own daughter, Hazrat Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her), with love, respect, and reverence, teaching that raising daughters with care is both a blessing and a source of divine reward.
The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) further illuminated the importance of nurturing girls, emphasizing that their moral and spiritual upbringing shapes families, societies, and nations. Today, under the guidance of His Holiness, Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper), the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues this mission, encouraging girls to pursue excellence in knowledge & faith, equipping them to contribute meaningfully to the world while remaining firmly grounded in Islamic principles. From the ages of seven, we are guided and supported — from a girl child to a girl adult and beyond, this community walks with us, fostering our growth at every stage.
Yet the journey is not without challenges. Across the globe, millions of girls are denied education, forced into early marriages, or subjected to violence and inequality. Even in societies where opportunity exists, girls face subtle pressures. The expectations of social media, cultural norms, and the balancing act of personal identity with ambition. These obstacles are not just practical but deeply spiritual, for they can suppress the inherent light and promise within every girl.
The International Day of the Girl Child reminds us that every girl deserves recognition, opportunity, and support. When we invest in her education, safety, and personal growth, we are not only nurturing her life but the lives of countless others who will benefit from her strength, compassion, and wisdom. Empowered girls grow into women who educate, inspire, and lead, creating ripples of positive change across generations.
Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like for a girl to step back a few centuries, to the time of Middle English when the word ‘girl’ did not carry the weight of gendered expectations, when she could simply be seen as just a young person, free from social burdens and duties, and valued for who she was.
As we pause today to reflect, let us remember that empowerment is not merely access or freedom; it is a cultivation of strength, moral courage, and spiritual awareness. When girls are nurtured with love, knowledge, and faith, they grow into changemakers, nurturers, and leaders. May Allah grant us the wisdom and resolve to cherish, uplift, and protect every girl, so that her promise shines fully in this world. When we empower girls, we illuminate a path toward justice, equality, and hope for all.
https://www.un.org/en/observances/girl-child-day
https://www.internationaldays.org/october/internationaol-day-of-the-girl-child
Voice of British Muslim Women 
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