In Rawalpindi, community leader Muhammad Amir Siddiqui emphasized the vital role of hygiene in public health while addressing Global Handwashing Day on October 15. He said cleanliness is central to well-being and recalled that Islam regards cleanliness as half of faith, while the five daily prayers foster discipline and personal care.
Siddiqui made a direct appeal for expanded handwashing awareness, urging parents and schools to teach children to wash their hands with soap before meals. He noted that young children quickly adopt habits and that early training in hand hygiene keeps them resilient and less prone to common illnesses.
Highlighting lessons from recent health crises, he said that the COVID pandemic underscored how simple practices like handwashing can reduce disease spread. He also warned that current threats such as dengue require the same basic preventive measures: maintain cleanliness, avoid stagnant water, and ensure drinking water is boiled before use when cleanliness and safe supply cannot be guaranteed.
Siddiqui made clear that community-wide awareness campaigns should focus on children as the central beneficiaries, combining practical instruction on soap use and safe water handling with regular reminders at home and in educational settings. According to him, a clean environment and consistent handwashing are among the most effective, low-cost tools for building a healthier society.
