‘Since when do you enslave people when their mothers give birth to them free?’ This powerful question, posed by Caliph Umar ibn Al Khattab in the 7th century, resonates across the ages as a timeless rebuke against the subjugation of human beings. In 640 CE, a Coptic Egyptian man sought justice in Medina after being brutally beaten by the son of Egypt's governor, Amr ibn Al A’s, for simply winning a horse race.
The Caliph's swift investigation and public questioning of his governor’s sense of justice in an open court set a precedent for the defense of human dignity—a dignity that is an inalienable birthright bestowed upon us by the universe.
Enslaving human beings, in any form, remains one of the most heinous violations of this birthright. This truth is at the heart of the story of Najib Muhammad, an Indian expatriate worker from Kerala, whose harrowing five-year ordeal is depicted in the 2024 film The Goat Life.
The film, starring veteran Omani actor Talib Al Balushi, tells the story of Najib's enslavement by a deceitful sponsor who exploited him under the guise of employment—a story that painfully echoes the ongoing scourge of human trafficking or Traficking In Persons (TIP).
While Najib's suffering is difficult to bear, his resilience and the bravery of those who helped him break free serve as a powerful reminder that freedom is not just a privilege but a collective, inalienable right that we must all defend.
The criticism and the realities of stereotyping
Upon its release, The Goat Life was met with sharp criticism from some quarters, accusing the film of perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Detractors argued that the movie portrayed employers, particularly those from the Gulf region, as universally malevolent ‘sponsors,’ thus spreading a policised, damaging brand of Arabs as deceitful, dirty, and perpetually angry desert dwellers.
This criticism points to a broader issue of representation, where dramatisation can sometimes blur the lines between narrative and reality. Critics also questioned the plausibility of Najib's story, arguing that in an era of ubiquitous mobile communication, it is unlikely that he could have been held captive for five years without any means of reaching out for help.
However, to dismiss The Goat Life on these grounds is to overlook the film’s fundamental message about the evils of enslavement. We know these evils because our ancestors saw them in the hard times before the current progress and the discovery of oil.
The reality of human trafficking is often more brutal and complex than can be fully captured on screen. Najib’s story, while dramatised, reflects the experiences of countless others who suffer in silence, unseen and unheard. The film challenges us to confront sensitive, uncomfortable truths and to recognise that the fight against the dehumanisation of any person is a fight for the dignity of all people.
A stand against injustice: The need for global solidarity
The criticism leveled at The Goat Life also underscores a disturbing tendency to downplay or justify the enslavement of individuals. Yet, as history has shown, evil cannot be justified. To defend or minimise the plight of those who are enslaved is to become complicit in their suffering.
Speaking out against violations of human dignity should not only be encouraged but mandated. It is through criminalisation, prosecution, and the strict enforcement of laws against human trafficking that society can hope to eradicate such injustices.
More importantly, we must recognise that speaking up for the vulnerable is not just an act of charity; it is a moral imperative. It is easy to view the suffering of others as distant, as something that happens to “them” and not to “us.”
But the reality is that the oppression of any individual diminishes us all. Our region, with its rich resources and complex history, is particularly susceptible to these evils. This is why it is vital that we speak out not only in defence of those who suffer under human trafficking but also against the broader injustices perpetuated around the world. Whether it is the resistance of Najib in Kerala, the struggles of human rights advocates in Congo and Sudan, or the ongoing resistence of the Palestinian people against the US and EU backed Zionist occupation, mass abuse and genocide, we must recognise and honour the courage of those who stand against supremacist tyranny.
A path forward for humanity
The stories of resistance and resilience are not just tales of individual heroism; they are calls to action for all of us. The belief in global justice and freedom starts by treating people right in our own homes and offices. In a world where injustice persists in many forms, from the blatant enslavement of workers to the systemic oppression of entire communities, we must all become advocates for human dignity.
The fight against human trafficking or TIP, like all struggles for justice, requires collective effort and unwavering resolve. As The Goat Life reminds us, our freedom is bound together — when one of us is enslaved, none of us are truly free. Let us, therefore, commit to speaking out, standing up, and working tirelessly to ensure that the birthright of freedom and dignity is upheld for every human being.
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