Iqbal Masih
Published on Nov 18, 2015
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
IQBAL MASIH
CHILDREN'S RIGHTS ACTIVIST
Iqbal Masih
Iqbal was born in 1983 in Muridke, a small rural village outside of Lahore, Pakistan. At four years old, he was sold by his family. Iqbal's family borrowed 600 rupees ($16) from a local carpet weaving business, and Iqbal was required to work as a carpet weaver until the debt was paid off. He would work fourteen hours a day, seven days a week, with only a 30-minute break. Iqbal stood less than 4 feet tall and weighed only 60 pounds.
Photo by Janek Kloss
Freedom and Activism
At the age of ten, Iqbal escaped from slavery in the carpet factory, after learning that bonded labor was declared illegal by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. But he was caught by police and brought back to his master, Hussain Kahn. Iqbal escaped a second time and later joined the Bonded Labour Liberation Front of Pakistan to help stop child labor around the world. Iqbal helped over 3,000 Pakistan children that were in bonded labor to escape and, he made speeches about child labour throughout the world.
Photo by Stuck in Customs
Death
Iqbal was shot while riding his bike in his hometown of Muridke on Easter Sunday, 1995, shortly after returning from a trip to America. He was only 12 years old. Some say that he was shot by a farmer, and some say that he was murdered because of his influence over bonded labor. The assassin was never found. His funeral was attended by approximately 800 people.
Photo by Leonrw
Legacy
Iqbal inspired many organizations such as Free The Children, a Canadian charity and youth movement, and the Iqbal Masih Shaheed Children Foundation, which has started over 20 schools in Pakistan. In January 2009, the United States Congress established the annual Iqbal Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labor.
In 1994, Iqbal visited Broad Meadows Middle School in Quincy, Massachusetts, and spoke to 7th graders about his life. When the students learned of his death, they decided to raise money and build a school in his honor in Pakistan.
Iqbal's story was told in a book entitled Iqbal by Francesco D'Adamo, a fictional story based on true events, from the point of view of a girl named Fatima.
Photo by The Advocacy Project
