Cancer patient gives free haircut to Iraqi protesters
Barber struggles to afford medication for his illness that he has been fighting for four years.
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Leukemia has not stopped 17-year-old barber Mohammed Firas, known as Hamad, from participating in nationwide anti-government protests that have swept Iraq since October 1.
The barber has set up a tent and moved his equipment to Tahrir Square where he is helping protesters stay fresh by giving them free haircuts and beard trims.
Like most protesters, Hamad lives in poverty. In addition, he struggles to afford medication for his illness that he has been fighting for four years.
Criticising an ailing health care system in Iraq, he is adamant to fight both cancer and what he described as "corrupt politicians" in his country.
Protesters, most of them young, are demanding an overhaul of a political system they see as profoundly corrupt and keeping many Iraqis in poverty without health insurance or public services such as water and electricity.
A 20-year-old protester waiting for his turn at Hamad’s tent described the young barber as a "hero" and said his unique participation gives him and other protesters a push to keep fighting.
