| Below is an update on recent actions this campaign has taken to end child labor. First is a letter from the "School for Iqbal!" |
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1. Letter from Pakistan
December 24, 1999
Dear Campaign Leaders,
Many warm wishes on Christmas Day. And a million happy wishes on
the eve of the New Millennium.
Let us hope and pray that the next millennium brings our world peace,
tolerance and harmony. A world where children are treated with love and affection;
where people uphold the dignity of labor and hard work; where self respect is a cherished
value rather than the false egos; where every one has equal opportunities of development
and success; where pluralistic social, cultural and religious and moral values are
respected; where there will no political, social or economic hegemony of individuals,
nations or societies; where exploiters will not be able to “buy” children and parents
will “not” be forced to “sell” children; where humane value will reign supreme.
We have often been accused of being incurable optimists. I’ll confess that
it is true. Perhaps that is the force, the constriction, which drives Sudhaar. And I
must say that we are very proud of all our friends and well wishers in the US; and our
hearts go out to our friends in BMMS. Your courage and commitment is our inspiration to
all of us.
I would like to share a few verses of one of most courageous poets Habib Jalib.
Jalib was imprisoned umpteen times for his bold and daring stance from 1960s onwards until
his death a few years ago. Here is what Jalib said in one of his poems:
I will live again in a New Era.
Nights of anguish will be long gone,
Words of hatred and loathing,
Voices of hatred shall be choked,
I beg your pardon for a crude and poor translation of the poem
that just came to my mind as I was writing to you, but I hope it conveys our
feelings.
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2. Canadian Publisher Includes Iqbal's Story in Grade 10 Textbook : Pearson Education Canada is currently preparing a grade 10 book called CIVICS. The authors would like to include the photo of Iqbal Masih which appears on our Website! |
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| 3. Marla Petal of Istanbul, TURKEY has just completed a chapter of a soon-to-be-released Millennium book for the United Nations. The book is called "A Human Rights Atlas." The book has 30 short chapters, one for each Article in the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Marla's chapter is on children's rights. She tells the story of Iqbal Masih and she tells about THIS campaign. The book is intended for children. |
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4. Spreading the Word :
Student Campaign Leaders have been busy going out into the
community to spread the word about child labor and "actions to take" to end
child labor. Here is where we recently spoke:
A. South Shore Plaza ( the largest shopping mall in our area ) - November 24, 1999
B. Union of American Hebrew Congregations' Biennial Conference - Orlando, Florida. December 1999
At the largest ever meeting of American Jews, this campaign's teacher advisor
Ron Adams, received the UAHC's highes honor the Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award in
recognition of his role in empowering children in the "School for Iqbal" campaign. A
five minute video summarizing the "School for Iqbal" campaign was shown to thousands
of delegates during the presentation. Copies of the video are available for purchase.
C. Guest Speakers at the "Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Breakfast" in Quincy, Massachusetts. January 17, 2000
D. Guest Speakers at the Amnesty International Celebration |
Mirror Image, Inc. and
Broadmeadows Middle School