FCNL, AFSC Statement on Christian Peacemaker Team Hostages - Dec. 9, 2005
Muslims Hold Friend Tom Fox and Other Christian Peacemaker Team Hostages in Their Prayers
As this is written, the fate of the Christian Peacemaker Team hostages in Iraq -- Tom Fox, Norman Kember, James Loney and Harmeet Sooden – is unknown. The American Friends Service Committee and the Friends Committee on National Legislation continue in our prayers for the hostages, their families, their captors, and the people of Iraq. We give thanks for the loving concern of many people of many faiths for the Christian Peacemaker Team members. From the beginning, Muslim leaders throughout the Arab world, in Europe, and the U.S. have taken a leadership role and issued powerful statements calling for their release.
We have shared below excerpts from several of these statements from diverse Muslim organizations and leaders throughout the world. The Christian Peacemaker Team colleagues have let their lives speak and witnessed to their loving concern for the humanity and dignity of all peoples. Many Muslim leaders have responded.
In the days, weeks, and months ahead, we recommit ourselves to work with Iraqis to end this war and rebuild their country.
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"I hope that the hostages are in the hands of people who reject the occupation... I think that those abducted are doves of peace who reject that the occupation, they must be rewarded not imprisoned."
Abdel-Salam al-Qubaisi, Association of Muslim Scholars, Iraq
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"We, the undersigned, call for the immediate release of the four Western peace activists who were kidnapped in Iraq last week."
Sheikh Harith Al-Dari, Head of Association of Muslim Scholars, Iraq
and 25 others
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“There is a duty for all Palestinian people, institutions and factions to commit to sending a call to release these people who have been kidnapped. They are very important for us to help continue our struggle, whether here in Palestine or in Iraq, to gain our country's freedom. We repeat our call to release all the civilian people who have been kidnapped all over the world, not only these four."
Ikram al-Sabri, the head Mufti of Palestine, along with many other notable Palestinians
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"Islam rejects the kidnapping of innocent people regardless of their aim, beliefs and opinion and all laws locally and internationally consider kidnapping a crime, particularly when it targets innocent peace activists who are known for their activity and solidarity for the Iraqi cause."
Mohammed Mahdi Akef, president Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt
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"I ask those who have an influence ... to release these hostages. I understand they are in the hands of one of the groups that are defending Iraq and Islam."
Sheikh Ahmed al-Samaraie, Abu Hanifa mosque, Baghdad.
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