ISLAMABAD, Aug 28: The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) is collaborating with religious scholars and institutions to develop and distribute reference material setting out the importance of hygiene and appropriate use of water in the light of Quranic verses and the saying of Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him).

Unicef Pakistan representative Omar Abdi emphasized the significance of this collaboration while speaking at the inaugural session of a one-day consultation held here on Saturday for preparation of a booklet for mass distribution on water, hygiene, sanitation and cleanliness.

The meeting brought together religious scholars from various Madressahs, representatives of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Pakistan Centre for Research in Water Resources (PCRWR).

"Unicef welcomes the support of religious scholars and institutions in the efforts to raise awareness of how good hygiene practices can reduce the incidence of ailments affecting children, such as diarrhoea and respiratory disease.

Redoubling this effort will ensure every child in Pakistan gets the best start in life and will help in a major way to reduce the country's high rate of child mortality, Mr Abdi said.

Referring to Quranic emphasis on personal and environmental hygiene, he noted how Unicef had collaborated at a global level with renowned Islamic institutions, such as Jamiah Al Azhar of Cairo, Egypt for promotion of child rights.