She needs all of us… She needs our prayers… [POST TO BE UPDATED]
The abductors of Jill have threatened to kill her if the United States does not free Iraqi women prisoners within 72 hours, Aljazeera reported last night. [Post to be update]
Aljazeera aired a brief video on Tuesday showing Jill speaking to the camera, without broadcasting her voice.
The Qatar-based station said the kidnappers identified themselves as members of a previously unknown armed group calling itself the "Brigades of Vengeance".
Jill's former employers The Jordan Times published a Sunday editorial, stating: "The kidnappers who abducted her could not have chosen a more wrong target. True, Jill is a US citizen. But she is also more critical of US policies towards the Middle East than many Arabs… Jill has been from day one opposed to the war, to the invasion and occupation of Iraq. "
Jill’s father issued the following statement:
"Jill is an innocent journalist and we respectfully ask that you please show her mercy and allow her to return home to her mother, sister and family. Jill is a kind person whose love for Iraq and the Iraqi people are evident in her articles. She has been welcomed into the homes of many Iraqis and shown every courtesy. From that experience, she understands the hardships and suffering that the Iraqi people face every day. Jill is a friend and sister to many Iraqis and has been dedicated to bringing the truth of the Iraq war to the world.
"We appeal for the speedy and safe return of our beloved daughter and sister."
"Jill Carroll's colleagues at The Christian Science Monitor and journalists around the world appeal to her captors to release her immediately and without harm. They have seized an innocent person who is a great admirer of the Iraqi people. She is a professional journalist whose only goal has been to report truthfully about Iraq and to promote understanding. As an intelligent, dedicated, open-minded reporter, she has earned the respect of her Arab and Western peers. Since arriving in Iraq in 2003, Jill has always been treated as a guest by Iraqis and has sought to reflect their views and their hearts to the world. She has doggedly pursued stories for a variety of news organizations from several different countries. She began to file stories to The Monitor early last year.
"Jill is in our prayers."
– Richard Bergenheim, Editor
"The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply alarmed by a report today that kidnappers in Iraq have threatened to kill U.S. reporter Jill Carroll if the United States does not free all female Iraqi prisoners within 72 hours."
"A while ago, the media agencies have talked about the kidnapping of Jill Carroll, a correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor, in al Adil neighborhood in Baghdad after the killing one man with her. Yesterday, one armed group announced responsibility of the kidnapping and put 72 hours to meet their demands or she will be killed.
The IIP denounces the kidnappings because it is conduced against innocent people, who are mostly sympathized with the Iraqis in their miseries. At the same time, the IIP urges the kidnappers to release this female journalist as soon as possible."
The IIP denounces the kidnappings because it is conduced against innocent people, who are mostly sympathized with the Iraqis in their miseries. At the same time, the IIP urges the kidnappers to release this female journalist as soon as possible."
"Jill has always shown the highest respect for the Iraqi people and their customs," Mary Beth Carroll said Thursday on CNN's "American Morning."
"We hope that her captors will show Jill the same respect in return. Taking vengeance on my innocent daughter who loves Iraq and its people will not create justice.
"To her captors I say that Jill's welfare depends upon you, and so we call upon you to ensure that Jill is safely returned home to her family who needs her and loves her."
"We hope that her captors will show Jill the same respect in return. Taking vengeance on my innocent daughter who loves Iraq and its people will not create justice.
"To her captors I say that Jill's welfare depends upon you, and so we call upon you to ensure that Jill is safely returned home to her family who needs her and loves her."
Azzaman newspaper wrote a very nice editorial in their front page today. It was all about Jill. here is some of it: [UPDATE]
Azzaman has a word to say
Freedom to the messengers of freedom
The danger that surrounds the foreign journalists in Iraq, regretfully, reflected a false and bad image about the Iraqi people. The image came false because of what happened to the foreign journalists by unknown men.
Azzaman stands on the side of another messenger of the truth, who is the American journalist Jill Carroll. She is known for honesty and transparency in her articles. She didn’t take a side in her job and wasn’t deceived to adopt her country’s administration’s attitude on the war on Iraq. Also, it is not known for the newspaper that sent her, the Christian Science Monitor, to have published anything that provokes against the Iraqis or offends its traditions. There is no doubt that her kidnapping is considered as a crime and an action that harms Iraq and its people. This journalist was one of the closest to the sufferings of Iraqis. Her articles were known for their balance and objectivity, which are characteristics of the newspaper that sent her to Iraq. We are asked to protect those journalists and offer all the necessary needs to facilitate their work to help us pass this crisis of the country. The absence of Jill Carroll doesn’t benefit any side and harms our national cause. Azzaman urges all those involved in her kidnapping to protect her life and release her and send her to her country. We don’t know who is behind this kidnapping, but we sincerely ask them to think about the negative results of kidnapping her and threatening her to be killed without any political or national reason.
Azzaman has a word to say
Freedom to the messengers of freedom
The danger that surrounds the foreign journalists in Iraq, regretfully, reflected a false and bad image about the Iraqi people. The image came false because of what happened to the foreign journalists by unknown men.
Azzaman stands on the side of another messenger of the truth, who is the American journalist Jill Carroll. She is known for honesty and transparency in her articles. She didn’t take a side in her job and wasn’t deceived to adopt her country’s administration’s attitude on the war on Iraq. Also, it is not known for the newspaper that sent her, the Christian Science Monitor, to have published anything that provokes against the Iraqis or offends its traditions. There is no doubt that her kidnapping is considered as a crime and an action that harms Iraq and its people. This journalist was one of the closest to the sufferings of Iraqis. Her articles were known for their balance and objectivity, which are characteristics of the newspaper that sent her to Iraq. We are asked to protect those journalists and offer all the necessary needs to facilitate their work to help us pass this crisis of the country. The absence of Jill Carroll doesn’t benefit any side and harms our national cause. Azzaman urges all those involved in her kidnapping to protect her life and release her and send her to her country. We don’t know who is behind this kidnapping, but we sincerely ask them to think about the negative results of kidnapping her and threatening her to be killed without any political or national reason.
Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya television stations aired Jill's father's appeal.
"I want to speak directly to the kidnappers of my daughter Jill, who could be fathers like me. My daughter has no influence, she doesn't have the power to free anyone, she's just a journalist and an innocent person ... Use her as a reporter to support your cause."
Adnan Dulaimi, a prominent Sunni politician pleaded for the release of American journalist Jill Carroll on Friday, the day of a deadline set by her captors.
"I urge those who kidnapped her to release her without a condition. I will take care of dealing with the issue of releasing the detainees from the Iraqi and U.S. forces prisons. I have paid many efforts to release those detainees, and some of these efforts were fruitful and many detainees were released. Kidnapping this noble journalist will decrease the importance of y efforts. No, it will interrupt them. I urge the men who kidnapped this woman to release her for the sake of God and our country and our religion and our honor. We call for the unity of the Iraqis and at the same time we call the government to stop the government’s terrorism, which provokes these actions. Raiding houses, torturing and killing is behind provoking violence in the country. Since the elections, 50 men and young men were killed. Don’t these actions provoke violence? We call for the American and the Iraqi authorities to activate the law and stop the raids, which will encourage us to continue our efforts to rebuild Iraq.
I repeat my call for those who kidnapped this journalist, who came to convey our news and defend our rights. I repeat my plead to release her without any condition. We, in the Conference for People of Iraq, will demand those conditions of releasing the detainees in the Iraqi and American prisons. We will demand this by word, negotiations, and talks with Iraqi and American officials.
In the name of God, in the name of religion, in the name of every word of sympathy that exists in Iraq, I urge you to release this female journalist. She is one of the journalists who denounced the war on Iraq. We call for all to protect the journalists no matter what their nationality is and urge all to release any journalist or innocent non-journalist.
This act tore me apart and pained me. A journalist came to interview me and after she left my office without meeting me, she was kidnapped 300 meters away from my office. If it wasn’t embarrassing, I would cry.
The entire world is waiting for her release now. I get calls form the Islamic communities asking me to intervene. I plead to you to release her. "
I repeat my call for those who kidnapped this journalist, who came to convey our news and defend our rights. I repeat my plead to release her without any condition. We, in the Conference for People of Iraq, will demand those conditions of releasing the detainees in the Iraqi and American prisons. We will demand this by word, negotiations, and talks with Iraqi and American officials.
In the name of God, in the name of religion, in the name of every word of sympathy that exists in Iraq, I urge you to release this female journalist. She is one of the journalists who denounced the war on Iraq. We call for all to protect the journalists no matter what their nationality is and urge all to release any journalist or innocent non-journalist.
This act tore me apart and pained me. A journalist came to interview me and after she left my office without meeting me, she was kidnapped 300 meters away from my office. If it wasn’t embarrassing, I would cry.
The entire world is waiting for her release now. I get calls form the Islamic communities asking me to intervene. I plead to you to release her. "
Please do not forget to pray for her. She needs my, your, her, his, their, our prayers. She needs all of us.
Treasure,
ReplyDeleteShe's in our daily prayers. My heart goes to her family and friends.
Treasure,
ReplyDeleteShe is in my prayers all the time as are you and all of the people in Iraq that are trying to live through this horrible time.
As a journalist what is your opinion of Al Jazeera?
Jill is and has been in my prayers. I really hope for a happy ending to this one.
ReplyDeleteExactly what what I was thinking, cooper.
ReplyDeleteBTW, Baghdad Treasure,
ReplyDeletePrior to her abduction, I did not follow Jill's articles nor did I know her name. My initial interest in her plight was purely intellectual...only regarding its significance to certain peripheral problems in Iraq.
But because of your posts (24 Steps's posts too, but mostly yours), I find I have come to care deeply about her safety. I have developed a personal interest in Jill's deliverance.
I don't know if your writings have reached, let alone touched, any of the kidnappers, but they have certainly affected me.
don't worry we will pray and knowing that God has everything under control just by trusting in him. Praying with all of our hearts and God will hearn them knowing that we are his daughters and sons is all we need to know that everything is going to be okay.
ReplyDeleteYes... you now I am in thoughtful prayer for Jill and all affected by this unnecessary act, that will only hurt and not help any cause.
ReplyDeletePebble
I completely agree with you cmar ii. I find it really interesting that I almost feel personally involved in what's going on and that whatever happens will have a profound affect on me. I think it is because of blogs like this that have really put a face to her name. Thanks again, BT.
ReplyDeleteThe will of God will never take you,
ReplyDeleteWhere the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.
The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Still praying
please keep us updated. we are following this story in the du website. i hope nothing happens to her and i`m still trying to understand why anyone would kidnapp her when she could have written about the women in imprisoned by the usa. i guess somethings defy reason. i hope your friend and the friend of the iraqi people is freed. stay safe and peace be with you.
ReplyDeletei`m still trying to understand why anyone would kidnapp her when she could have written about the women in imprisoned by the usa. i guess somethings defy reason.
ReplyDeleteNot at all. It is perfectly logical. The "resistance" doesn't care about Iraq or Iraqis. They want chaos in Iraq to leave a space open for their own evil team to take over.
Some comfort is derived from
ReplyDeletethe support of this jounalist
from the various political factions in Iraq ... but
my dear friends lets not forget that this same group killed her translator who was a good decent iraq citizen.
Lets not also forget the thousands
of innocent Iraqis that have been killed by bombs TARGETING them
by Zarqawi and others ...
Margaret Hanson was also killed...
The 32 Shia children killed outside the rennovated water treatment plant sometime ago ...
All of the killings targeting Iraqi
police while they eat ... the targeting of Army and police recruits ....All of these people
are just as important as Jill Carroll
Had this new kidnapping group NOT
killed her translator but simply
let him go ... perhaps they can be viewed as different from the others.
Iraqi citizens in general should realize that the majority of prisoners will be released and the release will come sooner once
the Iraqi stop killing each other
and concentrate on eliminating Zarqawi.
It is difficult to release people
into areas where there is still violence ... say 200 prisoners
are from Fallujah ... they can be released much sooner when it is clear that that entire area has
shifted toward cooperating with the new government and is free of violence .... as long as roadside bombs occur and suicide bombers
attack cafe's and restaurantes ...
It simply does not make sense to release people into a violent situation
I believe also that Iraqi prisoners are allowed to have visitors ... or has this changed??
new guidlines were instituted after
Abu-Ghraib incidents ...
So the 8 Iraqi women in custody
should have had many visitors
by now to see if they are OK ...
"Dr.Germ" was recently released ...
So this kidnapping really makes no sense unless its for money
or to simply provide more instability
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThe trouble is that the U.S. government does not care if she gets killed and are more than happy if more and more journalist are discouraged to report from Iraq. The U.S. military have been responsible for many of the deaths of journalists in Iraq, including bombing the Aljazeera offices and the hotel in which many foreign journalist were staying during the fall of Baghdad. Jill’s captors will not find the U.S. responsive to their demands and have clearly picked the wrong person. Jill has not been a supporter of the U.S. occupation and while the U.S. authorities will give lip service to attempts to secure her safe release they would infact be far happier to have her dead and have one less rouge journalist attempting to open peoples eyes to the truth on the ground in Iraq.
Carroll’s former employers The Jordan Times published a Sunday editorial, stating: "The kidnappers who abducted her could not have chosen a more wrong target. True, Jill is a US citizen. But she is also more critical of US policies towards the Middle East than many Arabs… Jill has been from day one opposed to the War, to the invasion and occupation of Iraq. "
She is in my thoughts together with all Iraqis that are experiencing enormous life threatening difficulties everyday in Iraq. I want here released with all Iraqis who are kidnapped and put in prison without charges. We have the ability to speak with each other and we should do that instead of using bombs, weapons, killings, threats, beatings and torture. Right now those who use and have used the none verbal way are all digging the grave for Iraq.
Nadia,
ReplyDeleteJill’s captors will not find the U.S. responsive to their demands and have clearly picked the wrong person.
You are half right. The US government will not be responsive. However, there ISN'T a "right" person to kidnap; this is where you and I disagree, my insurgent-apologist friend (I'm truly surprised you aren't saying she was kidnapped by the CIA).
Because the Italian government pays for its hostages, the market value for Italians in Iraq is in the millions...money that goes to to make more bombs and enrich the chaosmasters in Iraq. Because the US doesn't pay for hostages there is no market for US citizens. That doesn't translate into making them *safe* yet, but it is likely to much more quickly than rewarding kidnappers.
Jill's only hope is to be rescued (and the kidnappers caught), for certain Iraqi politicians who have proven connections and influence with kidnappers to convince them to let her go, or for the terrorists to repent their ways and let her go (unlikely).
They haven't claimed to have killed her yet. No news is good news.
“She is in my thoughts together with all Iraqis that are experiencing enormous life threatening difficulties everyday in Iraq. I want here released with all Iraqis who are kidnapped and put in prison without charges. We have the ability to speak with each other and we should do that instead of using bombs, weapons, killings, threats, beatings and torture. Right now those who use and have used the none verbal way are all digging the grave for Iraq.”
ReplyDeleteCMAR II the above is what I want. If you feel it difficult to swallow that; without arguing back with “insurgent- apologist friend” or brining in the “CIA” then that is proof of your low standard in debating and your no existing interest of us Iraqis as free people.
um haleema, read this!
ReplyDelete“Aljazeera is a widely misunderstood Arabic television channel that is mainly characterized by a quaint 1950s-style pan-Arab nationalism. It is not a fundamentalist religious channel, though it does host one old-time Muslim Brother, Yusuf al-Qaradawi. Its main peculiarity in local terms is that it will air all sides of a political issue and allow frank criticism of Middle Eastern politicians as well as of Western ones. It is the only place in the Arab media where one routinely hears Israeli spokesmen (speaking very good Arabic, typically) addressing their concerns and point of view to Arab audiences.”
Read more what Juan Cole have to say about Aljazeera by clicking the text
Bush as Press Assassin?
ReplyDeleteHope it's working ;)
Nadia,
ReplyDeleteIf you feel it difficult to swallow that; without arguing back with “insurgent- apologist friend” or brining in the “CIA”
You have posted comments on many sites to the effect that Zarqawi is an agent of the US government and your tender feelings for the "resistance" (real name: The Return Party).
Your re-iteration of your final paragraph seems to imply that you have reconsidered this position. I'm glad to hear that and I apologize for not taking your words at face value.
Nadia, how can you publish an excerpt of an article that claims America WNATS Jill Carol to be killed, and then say "we are here and we can talk to each other" - what am I missing here? How is any American supposed to have a dialog with somebody who says such a thing?
ReplyDeleteHi Nadia,
ReplyDeleteThanks for ur comments. I am afraid I don’t agree with what you have linked about the US government does not care about Jill because she is does not support the US presence in Iraq. as a close friend to Jill and one of those following up the attempts to release her, I think despite with what u have said, the US government along with Jill’s family, friends and colleagues are doing their maximum efforts to release her safely. I feel the US government cares about Jill as a US citizen first, not a journalist.
Concerning Aljazeera, I think what made insurgents in Iraq much powerful is the channel’s cooperation with them in broadcasting what the kidnappers and killers are doing. And as Fayrouz said, how did Jill’s tape reach Aljazeera? They don’t even have an office operating in Baghdad. Did it fall from the sky and reached their studios? This is a big question mark. This made the Iraqi people dislike this channel. However, people in the Arab world prefer this channel for many reasons, especially because it shows what is happening in Palestine and Israel. Until now in their news bulletins, they call any Palestinian killed as a “Martyr” while they refuse to call the Iraqi people with these names because they have their own propaganda which is to use the suffering of the Iraqi people against the US government. Since they broadcasted Jill’s tape, they showed her father’s appeal once, while other Arab channels like Al-Arabiya is having a big campagn to release Jill by giving long reports of how kind and great Jill is. They kept talking about her since the tape was aired on Aljazeera.
she will be ok I believe, there is too much holding her to these times and us as people, she cannot leave now..
ReplyDeleteI will say and have been saying many prayers for Jill Caroll..
Hi Baghdadtreasure!
ReplyDeleteSorry for not replying earlier, it wasn’t until now that I saw you had replied to me.
Since you sit with more information then those who wrote that article it is your words that counts.
I hope she will be released today, I hope all Iraqis who are kidnapped get released too. All Iraqis who are in prison without charges I want them released too. I think its really time for the channels you wrote about and even more to have this sort of big campaign for Iraqis too.