Imagine a smile that inspires courage, kindness, and hope.
Smiling?
Now that we have your attention… hold the smile, because your smile has the power to make a difference in the lives of children everywhere, and it, too, can be part of the story of ‘Show Me Your Smile’.
“Show Me Your Smile” is an animated video brought to life by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with Arigatou International’s Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC), the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco, and CONFEMEN. It tells the story of Rashid, a young student who faces bullying at school because of his dental braces. Through the guidance of his grandfather and the support of his teachers, Rashid learns that courage, empathy, and understanding can transform moments of fear and exclusion into opportunities for growth, reconciliation, and hope.
The video builds on ICESCO’s earlier publication of the multilingual comic “Show Me Your Smile”, which was developed under the Stop to Bullying programme and written by Egyptian author Hegra Mahmoud Al-Sawy Ahmed with illustrations by Moroccan artist Badr Rahawi. Both the comic and the animated video aim to engage children, educators, and families in meaningful conversations about empathy, respect, and resilience, and are available in Arabic, English, and French to reach a wide audience.
Dr. Mustafa Y. Ali, Secretary General of GNRC, highlighted the urgency and importance of this initiative: “This launch comes at a crucial moment, as many children and adolescents around the world continue to face violence and bullying in schools; experiences that undermine their health, well-being, and education. Bullying silences the great potential of a child. Bullying dims the light of a child’s confidence. Ensuring children’s safety has never been more urgent.”
The launch of “Show Me Your Smile” aligns with the GNRC Sixth Forum post-follow-up vision, “Answering the Call of the Child: Building a Hopeful World for Children,” and the GNRC Strategy 2030 goals – Safe, Secure, and Sustainable. Dr. Ali concluded, “As we celebrate this story, let us continue answering the call of the child by building a world where every child can smile… freely, safely, and with hope.”
“Show Me Your Smile” reminds us that even the smallest gestures, like a smile, can contribute to meaningful change in children’s lives, creating safe, nurturing, and empowering environments where every child can thrive.
Keep Smiling!
Watch video:
English:
https://youtu.be/IgWvsTaehtQ
French:
https://youtu.be/qnEDYl1PpVs
Arabic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBpUOZCF–g
