By: Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai
Chairman
World Forum for Peace & Justice
The 33rd commemoration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP 2025) is being held on October 17, 2025 in the ECOSOC Chamber at UN Headquarters in New York city. The event is jointly organized by ATD Fourth World, UN Department of Economic & Social Administration, the International Committee for October 17. ATD stands for ‘All together in Dignity.’ The observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty can be traced back to 17 October 1987, when over a hundred thousand people assembled at the Trocadéro in Paris, in memory of the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger.
Later, United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on March 31, 1993, (A/RES/47//196), wherein it decided to declare 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, to be observed beginning in 1993. Since then, the day is observed to create an understanding and awareness of the urgency to eradicate poverty around the world.
Joseph Wresinski, the president of ATD and the main host of 33rd commemoration explained that “poverty is the worst scourge ever created by human beings; it is up to human beings to end it” Director‑General of UNESCO said, “Poverty robs the poor of their human dignity.” António Guterres, the Secretary General outlined in his message in 2025, “Too often, people living in poverty are blamed, stigmatised, and pushed into the shadows. … Poverty is not a personal failure; it is a systemic failure — a denial of dignity and human rights.”
Nelson Mandela elaborated in 2005, “Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.” And again “As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.”
The Qur’an addresses poverty not as a shameful condition but as a human reality that society is responsible for addressing with compassion, justice, and active support. The eradication of poverty is embedded in the Qur’anic vision of social justice, and several verses directly emphasize caring for the poor, fair distribution of wealth, and the spiritual and social obligations to help the needy. “And in their wealth, there is a recognized right. For the needy and the deprived.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:19). “Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense? That is the one who repulses the orphan and does not encourage the feeding of the poor.” (Surah Al-Ma’un 107:1–3)
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) has said “He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while the neighbor to his side goes hungry.” (Sunan al-Kubra). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was absolutely right when he said that poverty can lead a person to disbelief. His insight revealed the deep psychological and spiritual toll that poverty can have, often pushing people to desperation, despair, or even moral compromise.
I agree with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan when he said that “If they (Muslim countries) would only give Zakat to poor countries, the world would probably not be poor.” President Erdogan was absolutely correct when he said “Twenty‑one percent of the population of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) … are trying to hold onto life at the poverty level … if Muslims paid their Zakat … no Muslim country would suffer poverty.”
Zakat is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and refers to the obligatory charity that every eligible Muslim must pay annually. It is not just a form of charity but a religious duty and a means of wealth purification.
I believe that the 33rd International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP) should not just be a symbolic date. Yet, for many, that’s what it feels like: another cycle of speeches, another list of commitments, while lives are lost every day to hunger, preventable disease, and economic neglect.
As reported by Guardian, a study published in the Lancet estimated almost 55,000 preschool children in Gaza are acutely malnourished. World Food Program reported on May 12, 2025 that according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), 470,000 people in Gaza are facing catastrophic hunger (IPC Phase 5), and the entire population is experiencing acute food insecurity. The report also projects an alarming 71,000 children and more than 17,000 mothers will need urgent treatment for acute malnutrition. At the beginning of 2025, agencies estimated 60,000 children would need treatment. However, after the first phase ceasefire agreement that was signed on October 9, 2025 among others by President Trump, President Erdogan, Ameer of Qatar, and president of Egypt in Sharm el- Sheikh, Egypt, it is reported that convey of trucks with food, medicine and fuel were allowed into Gaza.
I think that the issue of poverty eradication should be the theme of today, tomorrow and every day. Never before have so many suffered amidst liberty and luxury for the few. The wealth of single individuals exceeds the wealth of many nations. While citizens of some African countries are starving, the rich countries are beset with obesity. Discrepancies of these types are morally disturbing. The United Nations is ideally suited to ending these shocking inequalities because it hosts all the nations of the world and endows each with identical voting power in the General Assembly. The poorest and the weakest are equal to the richest and the strongest.
It is characteristic that national or international organizations employ quantitative benchmarks to measure success in meeting enumerated objectives. For instance, a longstanding objective has been for each nation to contribute a specified percentage of its gross domestic product for humanitarian or foreign aid. Companion quantitative benchmarks have been set for literacy, vaccinations, natural disasters, longevity, smoking, etc.
There is nothing inherently mischievous about these development yardsticks. But they should never distract from our recognition that the highest in our objective consists of non-quantifiable characteristics. These would include acts of charity, humility, courage, benevolence, magnanimity, self-restraint, and non-vindictiveness.
Nonetheless, one might ask: How many more commemorations do we need? How many more tears must be shed before action outweighs words? Why hasn’t the humanitarian, core of powerful nations truly responded to the gravity of poverty? These are not rhetorical questions. They demand accountability.
It’s not enough for world leaders to meet and agree to meet again. The poor man will die until then. That truth should haunt those in power — and move them to act.
The world doesn’t need another commemoration. It needs commitment with consequences, policies with teeth, and compassion with urgency.
Despite trillions spent globally on military, technology, and economic development, basic needs — food, shelter, healthcare, and dignity — remain inaccessible to over 700 million people. What does that say about global priorities? What’s missing isn’t resources — it’s the will of the world powers.
What Can Be Done?
The most urgent approach should be the elimination of poverty and the securing for every man, woman, and child a right to flourishing health, a clean environment, comfortable housing, and nutritious food. The goal is not a choice but a moral obligation.
Redistribution of wealth through fairer taxation and global financial reforms; Debt relief for developing nations strangled by interest payments; Investment in local economies, education, and healthcare — not just aid; Empowering the poor as agents of change, not just recipients of charity; Corporate accountability to stop exploitation of labor and land; The rich countries should provide at least 1 percent of gross domestic product for international humanitarian assistance.
But poor nations must undertake reciprocal actions. They should fiercely punish public corruption; They should embrace strict spending limitations; They should celebrate the rule of law and enshrine independent and impartial judicial systems
Let’s hope those in power start listening — or be held accountable by those who can no longer afford to wait.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai is also the Secretary General
Washington-based
World Kashmir Awareness Forum
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