Finland to feature drowned Syrian toddler Alan Kurdi on currency

The Finnish Mint is to issue in 2019 a commemorative coin headlined ‘Global Justice’ which portrays the scene of a rescue worker holding the limp body of three year-old Alan Kurdi [Mint of Finland]

Finland has decided to print a picture of a Turkish policeman as he carries Syrian toddler Alan Kurdi, who drowned as his family made the perilous journey to Europe from Turkey, on the country’s national currency, Turkey’s NTV news channel reported yesterday.

The move, which is part of the commemoration of the country’s 100th independence anniversary, is aimed at drawing the international community’s attention to the need to uphold human rights.

On 2 September 2015, the three-year old toddler was found lying face-down on a beach near Turkey’s fashionable resort town of Bodrum in a failed attempt by his family to sail to the Greek island of Kos. His mother and five-year brother also died making the journey.

Kurdi’s picture, which circulated on social media, has raised the profile of plight of Syrian refugees who are escaping the war-torn country. It also helped increase donations to help Syrian refugees.

Opinion: Honouring Alan Kurdi by ending the war in Syria

A Palestinian artist making a living through sand sculpting re-creates the iconic image of when the body of Syrian refugee Alan Kurdi washed up Turkish shores

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