Iqbal Masih

Iqbal Masih

Iqbal Masihi, is a great example of the idea that any one can change the world, or at least try. He was the recipient of many awards including Reebok's 1994 Human Rights Youth Action Award, he was the “Person of the Week” (from ABC) and was also honored in Sweden by the International Labor Organization. He helped to change the laws of his home country. He completed four years of education in two and was awarded a scholarship to Brandeis University in the United States.

Iqbal grew up in Pakistan. He was born in 1982. At the age of 4 years old he was sold to a carpet mill for what amounts to twelve US dollars by his father. He was chained to the loom that he was forced to work at 16 hours a day. He was so malnourished that at the age of 12 he was the size of a typically developed 6 year old.

Iqbal receiving award (http://www.enfantsentraide.org/apropos/images/apropos_historique2.gif)

Iqbal became an advocate for child labor laws. He embodied the ideal of citizenship by working so hard, even as a child, to save others around the world. When he was freed from the carpet mill where he had been forced to work, he ended up joining the Bonded Labor Liberation Front, who was responsible for freeing him. He attended school there and began to make speeches about his experiences. He became an international figure for his work to end child labor. He even helped to free over 3,000 other children. In 1992 the Pakistani supreme court ruled that child labor was illegal. Iqbal was upheld as an important influence in that ruling.

Iqbal was murdered at the age of 12 years old. In 1995 he returned to Pakistan after traveling to various locations giving speeches and trying to influence the world. Sometime after his arrival he was murdered. His murder has officially been linked to some locals. Despite this, his murder was believed to have been organized by the “carpet mafia”, as his advocacy was having an impact on their sales.

His legacy lives on. The fight to end child labor has not ended with him. In fact schools are being created in his honor to help the students that can reach them. It is amazing that such a young boy could accomplish so much during his life. It is tragic that he was not able to live the life that he should have. His courage and conviction helped to change the world and has helped to make the issue of child labor an international issue.

Works Cited

Adams, R. (n.d.). A Bullet Can't Kill a Dream. Retrieved July 17, 2007, from Mirror Image and Broadmeadows Middle School: http://www.mirrorimage.com/iqbal/help/fund/fund.html

Adams, R. (2007, March 22). A School for Iqbal. Retrieved July 17, 2007, from Mirror Image and Broadmeadows Middle School: http://www.mirrorimage.com/iqbal/

Third World Traveler. (n.d.). Iqbal Masih - Pakistan. Retrieved July 17, 2007, from Third World Traveler: http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Heroes/Iqbal_Masih.html