Angels in Activate's clothing -Feb 26, 2006

by Michele Naar

One day last week, a strange man came to our door. Normally we are hyper-vigilant about receiving strangers, but this guy slipped past our radar screen as if he were cloaked by a greater power.

Our stranger was an older gentleman with a kind face, dressed in a suit. He handed us a leaflet written in both English and Arabic. It called on the kidnappers, in the name of humanity and Islam, to release our four
colleagues, Tomy(sic), Jemy(sic), Norman and Harmet(sic.) At the top of the leaflet was the name of his group: "Independent Activates, a Society to Defend Human Rights."

With broken English, shway (little) Arabic and lots of hand gestures, we learned that his group had held vigils for our kidnapped colleagues and in support of CPT's work. Due to our language barrier, that was about the most we could glean from our conversation so we asked him to come back when we had a translator.

He and another Activate returned at the scheduled time. We learned there are about 170 members of this human rights group with chapters throughout Iraq. They had met CPT members in the past and remembered that CPT was instrumental in locating detainees lost in the prison maze.

When they learned about the kidnapping of Tom, Jim, Norman and Harmeet, about thirty Independent Activates took to the streets with banners and leaflets. They held a press conference in hopes that their appeal to release our colleagues would reach the kidnappers. One of the Activates offered to exchange his life for the release of the four.

On Friday February 17, 2006, they held their third vigil at Firdos Square. In addition to their leaflet, they passed out our last press release regarding the kidnapping and our press release denouncing the controversial cartoon depictions of the prophet Mohammed in European papers. For security reasons and our safety, they suggested we not join them. It was hard for us not to go, but we didn't want to risk putting them in danger.

Later that afternoon, they returned to our apartment with a full report and pictures of the vigil. They said many people gave them signs of support after reading their leaflets. One picture showed backed up traffic as drivers waited to receive the literature and to read their banners printed in English and Arabic. Many media representatives came including BBC, AP, Global TV, Reuters, and local reporters.

The Activates reassured us that we have many friends in Iraq. This news came during one of our many moments of doubt about our work here. They again expressed their willingness to trade their lives for our colleagues. What greater love is there than the willingness to lay down one's life for another? With angelic faces and words to nourish the soul, they appeared in our lives like messengers from God.

Christian Peacemaker Teams is an initiative of the historic peace churches (Mennonites, Church of the Brethren, and Quakers) with support and membership from a range of Catholic and Protestant denominations. Supporting violence-reduction efforts around the world is its mandate.

Article reproduced with the kind permission of Christian Peacemaker Teams