Radio messages sent to captors in Iraq
-27/12/05
Following up a series of advertisement
Radio messages sent to captors in Iraq
-27/12/05
Following up a series of advertisements in newspapers across Iraq over the Christmas weekend, the families and friends of four kidnapped peace workers have begun radio broadcasts calling for their release.
The radio messages are appeals, in Arabic, to anyone with information on the hostages or their captors, as well as a phone number and e-mail address to contact, anonymously, if preferred.
So far, there has been no reply.
“A month has passed since our loved ones ñ Norman [Kember], James [Loney], Harmeet [Sooden] and Tom [Fox] – were kidnapped in Iraq,” the messages say.
“In this time, Iraq has held elections for a constitutionally elected government. This is a new start for Iraq and Iraqis to take control of their own destiny. It is a time for new starts.”
They go on to talk of the opportunity to show mercy to the Christian Peacemaker Team members, who were working for detainees in Iraq and have been supported by Muslim groups across the world.
The only contact with the captives remains the two videos sent by their captors, the Swords of Truth Brigades, to the Arabic satellite network, Al-Jazeera.
Last night in Baghdad, CPT worker Anita David was keeping post by the phones at the Christian Peacemaker Teams headquarters.
“I thought for sure we’d hear something by Christmas,” Ms. David said. She had yet to hear the radio pleas for her colleagues’ release, but said the group has its own testimonials and contact information on its website.
She continued: “We haven’t had any response either. At this point I don’t know what more we can do other than pray or hope.”
Doug Pritchard, at the CPT office in Toronto, said that taking out advertisements and making radio broadcasts was an unusual step in the circumstances, but one that keeps hope alive.
Christian Peacemaker Teams believes the hostage-takers are monitoring at least some media.
[Also on Ekklesia: British Muslims in fresh plea for Norman Kember 25/12/05; Watching and waiting with the Christian peacemakers in Iraq 24/12/05; New appeal for release of Iraq peace workers 24/12/05]
Radio messages sent to captors in Iraq
-27/12/05
Following up a series of advertisements in newspapers across Iraq over the Christmas weekend, the families and friends of four kidnapped peace workers have begun radio broadcasts calling for their release.
The radio messages are appeals, in Arabic, to anyone with information on the hostages or their captors, as well as a phone number and e-mail address to contact, anonymously, if preferred.
So far, there has been no reply.
“A month has passed since our loved ones – Norman [Kember], James [Loney], Harmeet [Sooden] and Tom [Fox] – were kidnapped in Iraq,” the messages say.
“In this time, Iraq has held elections for a constitutionally elected government. This is a new start for Iraq and Iraqis to take control of their own destiny. It is a time for new starts.”
They go on to talk of the opportunity to show mercy to the Christian Peacemaker Team members, who were working for detainees in Iraq and have been supported by Muslim groups across the world.
The only contact with the captives remains the two videos sent by their captors, the Swords of Truth Brigades, to the Arabic satellite network, Al-Jazeera.
Last night in Baghdad, CPT worker Anita David was keeping post by the phones at the Christian Peacemaker Teams headquarters.
“I thought for sure we’d hear something by Christmas,” Ms. David said. She had yet to hear the radio pleas for her colleagues’ release, but said the group has its own testimonials and contact information on its website.
She continued: “We haven’t had any response either. At this point I don’t know what more we can do other than pray or hope.”
Doug Pritchard, at the CPT office in Toronto, said that taking out advertisements and making radio broadcasts was an unusual step in the circumstances, but one that keeps hope alive.
Christian Peacemaker Teams believes the hostage-takers are monitoring at least some media.
[Also on Ekklesia: British Muslims in fresh plea for Norman Kember 25/12/05; Watching and waiting with the Christian peacemakers in Iraq 24/12/05; New appeal for release of Iraq peace workers 24/12/05]