"Vikwazo vingi vinavyowakabili watoto leo vinahusiana na imani miongoni mwa watu wazima kwamba wajibu mkuu wa mtu binafsi ni kufaidika zaidi na maisha yake mwenyewe, badala ya kuchangia kwa manufaa ya wengine..."

“Most of the obstacles children face today are linked to the belief among adults that the prime duty of the individual is to make the most of their own life, rather than contribute to the good of others...

"Ubinafsi uliopitiliza unasababisha matatizo mbalimbali kwa watoto, ikiwa ni pamoja na: kuvunjika kwa familia kwa kiwango kikubwa, ukatili miongoni mwa vijana, shinikizo la kibiashara linaloelekea kuwafanya watoto wakomae kingono kabla ya wakati, matangazo yasiyo na maadili, ushindani mkubwa mno katika elimu, na kukubali tofauti kubwa za kipato." -- Uchunguzi wa Ustawi wa Mtoto wa Uingereza (UK Good Childhood Inquiry) Ripoti zinazoongezeka kila mara kuhusu kupuuzwa kwa watoto katika nchi za Magharibi zinaonyesha wazi kwamba wazazi wengi zaidi wanawatendea vibaya watoto wao ili kutimiza mahitaji yao binafsi. Nchini Uingereza, kisa cha kutisha cha mama aliyemtesa mara kwa mara mtoto wake wa miezi 17 hadi kufa, ili aweze kuendelea na maisha yake mwenyewe, ni sehemu ndogo tu ya tatizo. Mwili wa mtoto huyo ulipochunguzwa, ulikuwa na majeraha 50, ikiwa ni pamoja na mbavu 8 zilizovunjika, uti wa mgongo uliovunjika na kucha za vidole zilizokosekana. Matokeo ya awali yanaonyesha kwamba wafanyakazi wa ustawi wa jamii, maafisa wa polisi na wataalamu wa afya walishindwa kuunganisha dalili za kupuuzwa licha ya ishara kadhaa za onyo. Kisha kuna habari ya kutisha ya mwanaume wa miaka 56 kutoka Sheffield ambaye mara kwa mara aliwabaka binti zake wawili na kuwazalisha watoto 9 nao.

excessive individualism is causing a range of problems for children including: high family break-up, teenage unkindness, commercial pressures towards premature sexualisation, unprincipled advertising, too much competition in education and acceptance of income inequality.” -- UK Good Childhood Inquiry he ever-increasing reports of child neglect in the West clearly demonstrate that more and more parents are mistreating their children to pursue the fulfilment of their own needs. In Britain, the notorious case of a mother who repeatedly tortured her 17 month old baby to death, so that she could carry on with her own life is just the tip of the iceberg. When the body of the baby was examined he had 50 injuries including 8 broken ribs, a fractured spine and missing finger nailsxvii. Preliminary findings suggest that social workers, police officials and health professionals failed to piece together the jigsaw of neglect in spite of several warning signs. Then there is the horrific story of 56 year old man from Sheffield who routinely raped his 2 daughters and fathered 9 children with them.

Kulingana na takwimu za hivi karibuni zinazopatikana kutoka National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), kuna watoto 32,700 walio kwenye orodha za ulinzi wa watoto nchini Uingereza. Kila baada ya siku kumi nchini England na Wales, kwa wastani, mtoto mmoja huuawa na mzazi wake. Watu walio katika hatari kubwa zaidi ya kufa kifo cha vurugu ni watoto wachanga chini ya mwaka 1, ambao wana uwezekano mara nne zaidi wa kuuawa kuliko mtu wa kawaida nchini England na Wales. Asilimia 16 ya watoto walipata unyanyasaji mkubwa kutoka kwa wazazi, ambapo theluthi moja yao walipata zaidi ya aina moja ya unyanyasaji. Zaidi ya robo ya ubakaji wote uliorekodiwa na polisi hufanyika dhidi ya watoto chini ya umri wa miaka 16. Karibu 79,000

According to the latest available figures from National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), there are 32,700 children on child protection registers in the UK. Every ten days in England and Wales, on average, one child is killed at the hands of their parent. The people most likely to die a violent death are babies under 1 year old, who are four times more likely to be killed than the average person in England and Wales. 16% of children experienced serious maltreatment by parents, of whom one third experienced more than one type of maltreatment. Over a quarter of all rapes recorded by the police are committed against children under 16 years of age. Nearly 79,000

Watoto kwa sasa wanalelewa na mamlaka za mitaa nchini Uingereza.xviii Ni haki kudhani kwamba idadi halisi ni kubwa zaidi, kwa kuwa watoto wengi wanaogopa sana kuripoti unyanyasaji au hawajui tu jinsi ya kuuripoti.

children are currently looked after by local authorities in the UKxviii. It is fair to assume that the actual figure is much higher, as many children are either too scared to report abuse or simply do not know how to report it.

Mara nyingi serikali huitikia visa vya kupuuzwa kwa watoto kwa kuanzisha uchunguzi wa umma. Hapo zamani matokeo ya uchunguzi kama huo yamekuwa ama huduma za kijamii kuchukua jukumu kubwa zaidi katika kuzuia unyanyasaji wa watoto, au sheria mpya zinazolenga kuwapa watoto ulinzi mkubwa zaidi dhidi ya wazazi wanaowanyanyasa. Mara nyingi sana uchunguzi huu hushindwa kuzuia wimbi linaloongezeka la unyanyasaji wa watoto unaoenea katika jamii ya Uingereza. Hali hii imewafanya baadhi ya watu kutaka hatua kali zaidi, kama vile kuwaondoa watoto kwa wazazi wakatili milele, au hata kuwanyang'anya haki yao ya kuzaa. Ni jambo lisilowezekana sana kwamba serikali ya sasa itafanikiwa kupunguza unyanyasaji wa watoto. Sababu kuu ya unyanyasaji wa watoto ni ubinafsi usiodhibitiwa, ambao serikali, wanasosholojia na wazazi wote wamekataa mara kwa mara kuukubali.

It is almost customary for governments to respond to cases of child neglect by launching public inquiries. In the past the outcome of such inquiries has led to either the social services playing a greater role in the prevention of the illtreatment of children or new legislation aimed at offering children greater protection from abusive parents. All too often these inquiries fail to stem the growing tide of child abuse pervading British society. This has led some to call for tougher measures such as permanently taking children away from cruel parents or even stripping them of their right to reproduce. It is highly unlikely that the present government will make any headway in reducing the ill treatment of children. This is because the main cause behind child abuse is the unbridled individualism, which governments, sociologists and parents alike have repeatedly refused to acknowledge.

Ubinafsi ni nguzo muhimu ya Usekula wa Magharibi na unatawala mahusiano mengi yanayopatikana baina ya watu katika jamii za Magharibi. Ubinafsi unaamuru kwamba watu wanapaswa kuweka maslahi yao mbele kabisa. Hili linawajengea watu mtazamo wa kujipenda na kuwahimiza watu kutimiza mahitaji yao wenyewe kabla ya mahitaji ya wengine. Zaidi ya hayo, ubinafsi huwafanya watu waone uwajibikaji kama mzigo na kikwazo kwa utimizaji wa nia zao za kibinafsi. Kwa hivyo, ni jambo la kawaida kuona watu huko Magharibi, hasa katika nyanja ya kijamii, wakiingia na kutoka katika mahusiano ili kukwepa uwajibikaji, jambo ambalo lote lina athari mbaya kwa jamii. Hivyo basi, uzinzi uliokithiri, utoaji mimba, familia zenye mzazi mmoja, baba wanaokwepa gharama za matunzo ya watoto, mama wanaowaacha watoto ili kufuatilia taaluma, wazazi wanaowatoa watoto kwenda kulelewa katika vituo vya malezi, na unyanyasaji wa watoto usiozuiliwa, vyote ni dalili za ubinafsi.

Individualism is an important pillar of Western Secularism and dominates many of the relationships that exist between people in Western societies. Individualism stipulates that people should put their interests first and foremost. This imbues in people a selfish mentality and encourages people to satisfy their own needs before the needs of others. Furthermore, individualism leads people to view responsibility as a burden and a hindrance towards the fulfilment of their selfish motives. Therefore, it is common to find people in the West, especially in the social sphere, entering and leaving relationships in order to avoid responsibility - all of which has a detrimental effect on society. Hence rampant fornication, abortions, single parent families, fathers avoiding child maintenance costs, mothers forsaking children to pursue careers, parents giving up children to foster homes and wanton child abuse are all symptoms of individualism.

Serikali za Magharibi zimeshindwa kukabiliana na athari za ubinafsi (individualism) na madhara yake kwa jamii. Hii ni kwa sababu jukumu la serikali ni kuhakikishia raia wake uhuru wa kibinafsi, na si kuweka vikwazo juu ya ubinafsi wa watu. Kwa hiyo, kipaumbele kikuu cha serikali ni ustawi wa mtu binafsi, na si familia wala jamii pana. Kwa mfano, katika kushughulikia suala la unyanyasaji wa watoto, serikali za Magharibi huona mtoto na haki zake kuwa tofauti na haki za mama na haki za baba. Bila shaka, suluhisho zinazotokana na mtazamo wa aina hii zitalenga zaidi kulinda ubinafsi wa mtoto, mama au baba kuliko kulinda familia au jamii. Kwa njia hii, familia na jamii hazibebi wajibu wa pamoja kuhusu unyanyasaji wa watoto, kwa kuwa sheria na uwajibikaji vinatumika peke yake katika ngazi ya mtu binafsi.

Western governments are unable to deal with the effects of individualism and the harm it causes to society. This is because the role of the government is to guarantee individualism for its citizens and not to impose restrictions on people's individuality. Therefore, the primary concern of government is the welfare of the individual and not the family or wider society. For instance, when dealing with the issue of child abuse, Western governments view the child and its rights as separate to the rights of the mother and the rights of the father. Naturally any solutions arising from this type of thinking will focus more on preserving the individuality of the child, mother or father than protecting the family or society. In this way, the family and society bear no collective responsibility towards the mistreatment of children, since law and responsibility are solely applied at the level of the individual.

Katika Uislamu, dhana ya ubinafsi imewekewa mipaka katika uhusiano kati ya mwanadamu na Mungu, na uhusiano wa mwanadamu na nafsi yake, yaani katika mambo ya ibada, vyakula, mavazi na maadili. Katika mahusiano yanayowahusisha watu, watu binafsi wanaruhusiwa kukidhi mahitaji yao mradi tu wasikiuke haki za watu wengine wala kuvuka mipaka iliyowekwa na Uislamu kwa ajili ya ustawi wa jamii. Katika aina zote za mahusiano, Waislamu wanatakiwa kutafuta radhi za Mungu kwa kujiendesha kulingana na sheria zilizowekwa na Uislamu. Sheria hizi zinapofuatwa huzaa tabia ya kipekee na tofauti kwa binadamu, tabia inayoundwa na moyo wa kujitolea kwa wengine na si ubinafsi. Uislamu umeinua na kutukuza si tu uhusiano kati ya mzazi na mtoto, bali pia ule wa familia na jamii.

In Islam, the concept of individualism is limited to the relationship between man and God and the relationship of man with himself i.e. in the matters of worship, foodstuffs, clothing and morals. In relationships that involve people, individuals are permitted to satisfy their needs provided that they do not violate the rights of other individuals or transgress the limits imposed by Islam for the welfare of the society. In all types of relationships Muslims are required to seek the pleasure of God by conducting themselves according to laws prescribed by Islam. These laws when practiced produce a unique and distinct character for the human being, a character shaped by altruism and not selfishness. Islam promoted and raised high, not only the relationship between the parent and child, but also that of family and society.

Uislamu uliisifu familia, Mtume wa Allah (SAW) alisema, "Oeni wanawake wenye ibada na wenye kuzaa sana, kwani nitajivunia ninyi mbele ya mataifa mengine Siku ya Kiyama." [Abu Dawood, at-Tirmidhi]. Uislamu ulikataza kuua na kuwatesa watoto. Imetajwa katika Qur'ani: "Msiwaue watoto wenu kwa kuogopa umaskini; sisi tunawaruzuku wao na nyinyi." [TMQ 17:

Islam praised the family, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, "Do marry the devoted and prolific women, for I will be proud of you before other nations on the Day of Judgement." [Abu Dawood, at-Tirmidhi]. Islam forbade the killing and torturing of children. It is mentioned in the Qur’an: “Kill not your children for fear of want, We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you.” [TMQ 17:

31] Uislamu umekataza kuwapuuza watoto, na umewawajibisha wazazi kuwapa chakula, mavazi na makazi, pamoja na kutimiza mahitaji mengine mbalimbali ya watoto wao. Mtume wa Allah ﷺ alisema: "Inatosha kuwa dhambi kwa mtu kwamba anawapuuza wale ambao ana jukumu lao." [Abu Dawood] Hivyo basi, ndani ya mfumo wa Kiislamu watoto wanachukuliwa kuwa baraka, na familia inaonekana kuwa na nafasi muhimu katika utulivu wa jamii.

31] Islam has forbidden the neglect of children and has made it obligatory for parents to provide food, clothing and shelter in addition to fulfilling the various other requirements of their children. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “It is enough sin for a person that he ignores those whom he is responsible for.” [Abu Dawood] Thus, within the Islamic framework children are regarded as a blessing and the family is viewed as playing a pivotal role in the stability of society.

Leo, ubinafsishaji unatishia muundo wa kijamii wa jamii ya Uingereza kupitia kuporomoka kwa maadili ya familia na ukiukwaji wa haki za raia. Ikiachwa bila kuhojiwa na bila kudhibitiwa, ubinafsishaji utasababisha kugawanyika kwa jamii za Waislamu na zisizo Waislamu. Mtazamo wa Kiislamu kuhusu familia na jamii ni wa kuwajibika zaidi kuliko mtazamo wa kujitafutia faida wa usekula.

Today, individualism threatens the social fabric of British society through the erosion of family values and violation of civil rights. Left unquestioned and unchecked, individualism will result in the fragmentation of both Muslim and non- Muslim communities. The Islamic attitude towards the family and society is much more responsible than the selfish outlook of secularism.

Novemba 28, 2008

November 28, 2008