Supporters of Iraq captives reissue media appeals
-14/01/06
Over the past week the sup
Supporters of Iraq captives reissue media appeals
-14/01/06
Over the past week the supporters and friends of four Christian peace activists held captive in Iraq since 26 November 2005 have re-issued a wide rage of appeals for their release.
Harmeet Singh Soodenís family are turning to radio advertisements in an effort to break the silence surrounding his kidnapping.
Mr Sooden, a 32-year-old Canadian citizen who studies at Auckland University, was taken hostage five weeks ago along with Canadian Jim Loney, American Tom Fox and Briton Norman Kember.
The four were part of Christian Peacemaker Teams, which promotes peace, human rights, the release of Iraqi detainees and an end to the US presence in Iraq.
With the help of a Canadian media organisation the families of the four hostages issued an Iraqi-wide broadcast was planned to coincide with the Islamic religious festival of Eid.
Mr Soodenís brother-in-law Mark Brewer said he hoped the timing of the appeal would allow it to reach as many people as possible. ìWe want to highlight that he went there for peace not harm.î
ìIt has been a very long run and the silence is deafening,î Mr Brewer commented.
The broadcast follows further appeals for the menís release published in Iraqi newspapers last weekend.
The statement said: ìOur dear ones have been kidnapped. They are all working as activists for the sake of peace and to aid the Iraqi people.î
It continued: ìA number of religious figures in the Arab and Islamic world have talked about the noble work which they are doing for the sake of Iraq and called for their immediate release.î
ìWe also appeal for their safe return to us. If you have any information that could help us, please call the phone number and it is not necessary to reveal your identity,î concluded the fresh plea.
Meanwhile vigils are continuing for the Christian peacemakers in different parts of the world. In the US CPT is organising a White House watch and is calling for a meeting with President George W. Bush about Iraq poicy.
In Britain, three new vigils were announced this week, to maintain a public and media profile for the continuing plight of the men.
The first vigil take place today (Saturday, 14 January 2006) in Peterborough, from noon to 1pm local time. It will be in Cathedral Square, near the Norman Arch into the Cathedral itself.
A further vigil has been organised in Cambridge, at the same hour, outside the Guildhall in the centre of the city.
The third event will be on Monday 16th January from 6pm – 7pm in Londonís famous Trafalgar Square. It will gather outside the National Gallery, opposite St Martins-in-the-Fields Church.
A poster and leaflet which can be used for publicity or to put up in windows is available to download from the FoR website.
Supporters of Dr Kember and the other hostages are also suggesting that people pray at noon each day for Norman Kember, Tom Fox, Harmeet Singh Sooden, James Loney and all who are being held against their will in Iraq.
[Also on Ekklesia: regular updates on the FaithInSociety weblog. News snippets: More UK vigils keep focus on Norman Kember 13/01/06; All faiths candlelit vigil in London for Norman Kember; Muslim envoy may return to Iraq for CPT four; Christian Peacemaker Teams seek meeting with President Bush; Hope continues as Iraq captive deadline looms; New London vigil for Norman Kember announced; Cardinal joins pleas for Iraq peace workers; Christians and Muslims show continued support for Norman Kember; Norman Kemberís wife in new TV appeal to Iraq captors; Christian peacemakers demand entry to Guantanamo Bay]
Supporters of Iraq captives reissue media appeals
-14/01/06
Over the past week the supporters and friends of four Christian peace activists held captive in Iraq since 26 November 2005 have re-issued a wide rage of appeals for their release.
Harmeet Singh Sooden’s family are turning to radio advertisements in an effort to break the silence surrounding his kidnapping.
Mr Sooden, a 32-year-old Canadian citizen who studies at Auckland University, was taken hostage five weeks ago along with Canadian Jim Loney, American Tom Fox and Briton Norman Kember.
The four were part of Christian Peacemaker Teams, which promotes peace, human rights, the release of Iraqi detainees and an end to the US presence in Iraq.
With the help of a Canadian media organisation the families of the four hostages issued an Iraqi-wide broadcast was planned to coincide with the Islamic religious festival of Eid.
Mr Sooden’s brother-in-law Mark Brewer said he hoped the timing of the appeal would allow it to reach as many people as possible. ‘We want to highlight that he went there for peace not harm.’
‘It has been a very long run and the silence is deafening,’ Mr Brewer commented.
The broadcast follows further appeals for the men’s release published in Iraqi newspapers last weekend.
The statement said: ‘Our dear ones have been kidnapped. They are all working as activists for the sake of peace and to aid the Iraqi people.’
It continued: ‘A number of religious figures in the Arab and Islamic world have talked about the noble work which they are doing for the sake of Iraq and called for their immediate release.’
‘We also appeal for their safe return to us. If you have any information that could help us, please call the phone number and it is not necessary to reveal your identity,’ concluded the fresh plea.
Meanwhile vigils are continuing for the Christian peacemakers in different parts of the world. In the US CPT is organising a White House watch and is calling for a meeting with President George W. Bush about Iraq poicy.
In Britain, three new vigils were announced this week, to maintain a public and media profile for the continuing plight of the men.
The first vigil take place today (Saturday, 14 January 2006) in Peterborough, from noon to 1pm local time. It will be in Cathedral Square, near the Norman Arch into the Cathedral itself.
A further vigil has been organised in Cambridge, at the same hour, outside the Guildhall in the centre of the city.
The third event will be on Monday 16th January from 6pm – 7pm in London’s famous Trafalgar Square. It will gather outside the National Gallery, opposite St Martins-in-the-Fields Church.
A poster and leaflet which can be used for publicity or to put up in windows is available to download from the FoR website.
Supporters of Dr Kember and the other hostages are also suggesting that people pray at noon each day for Norman Kember, Tom Fox, Harmeet Singh Sooden, James Loney and all who are being held against their will in Iraq.
[Also on Ekklesia: regular updates on the FaithInSociety weblog. News snippets: More UK vigils keep focus on Norman Kember 13/01/06; All faiths candlelit vigil in London for Norman Kember; Muslim envoy may return to Iraq for CPT four; Christian Peacemaker Teams seek meeting with President Bush; Hope continues as Iraq captive deadline looms; New London vigil for Norman Kember announced; Cardinal joins pleas for Iraq peace workers; Christians and Muslims show continued support for Norman Kember; Norman Kember’s wife in new TV appeal to Iraq captors; Christian peacemakers demand entry to Guantanamo Bay]