27/09/2025
He was only 12 years old when he was killed. Yet, in that short time, he had already shaken the world.
His name was Iqbal Masih, a boy from Pakistan. At just 4 years old, he worked in a brick kiln. At 5, he was sold to a carpet maker to pay off a debt: chained to a loom, forced to work more than 10 hours a day. His small, fragile hands were considered "perfect" for knotting. Like him, thousands of other children were trapped in silence.
But Iqbal never lowered his gaze.
At 10, he joined a demonstration against child slavery. He had the courage to rebel, even knowing the price. He faced threats, beatings, and reprisals against his family. Still, he didn't stop. He found refuge in a shelter run by the Slave Labor Liberation Front, where he returned to school. He wasn't hungry for bread—he was hungry for justice.
In 1993, he began traveling the world. He spoke at conferences, denounced exploitation, and urged people to boycott Pakistani carpets. His voice was weak, but his courage was immense. Thanks to him, hundreds of factories were closed and thousands of children were freed.
On April 16, 1995, while riding his bicycle home, a bullet took his life forever. He was only 12 years old. The truth about his murder has never been fully revealed. But those who heard him, those who saw his eyes, know that the seed he planted did not die.
