Support for Jill Carroll

What Daniel knew about God and man freed the lions from the false concept of themselves and kept Daniel safe. What Jill has expressed about the nature of God and man will free her captors, whoever they are, whatever their affiliation, whatever their motives, from the false concepts of themselves, and will allow them to express their true nature. In the presence of light, darkness disappears. The response from people from every corner of the globe is a testament to the power of the goodness she represents.

Annette Dougherty, Norristown, Pa., USA

Everyone in San Juan Peace in San Juan County, N.M., is thinking of Ms. Carroll and praying for her safe release. We're praying in our many different faiths for the best possible resolution to the unrest in Iraq, beginning with a stop to the violence against the Iraqis and people like Ms. Carroll, who bravely has gone into danger to help Iraqis and the world.

Josey Foo, Farmington, N.M., USA

There is a saying of the prophet Muhammad which says speak the truth, even if it is against yourselves. Jill, by conveying to the world the horrors of an occupation and the brutal insurgency with indiscriminate killing from both sides, has fulfilled the saying. I pray and hope that she gets back safe and sound to her parents and loved ones as soon as possible. If the insurgents read this, please remember that the prophet Muhammad forbade the harming of women and children in any conflict. If you have an iota of Islam in you, please release this innocent and brave woman.

Raja Sohail Abbas, Charleston, W.Va., USA

Jill Carroll is a very brave person who was seeking to help the Iraqi people by telling the world the truth about their suffering and their hopes. The only right thing to do for any true Muslim or any human being is to release her unharmed. Our prayers are with her and her family.

Mohammed Ahmed, Islamabad, Pakistan

May her kidnappers find wisdom so that they can release not only an innocent woman, but also a great friend and ally of Iraqi people.

Jehane Rucquoi, Beijing, China

I am joining with my family, friends, and church to say we are all praying every moment of the day and through the night to see this beautiful, dedicated young woman free and at home with her family. We pray for the captors, that they will act with wisdom and free her immediately, and then we will listen to their concerns and support their needs.

Our love surrounds Jill and her family. We will not stop this vigil until Jill is returned.

Judith Stump, Aliso Viejo, Calif., USA

Brothers, you are my brothers. I am not of Arab descent, but we are brothers. I am not a Muslim, but, like you, I am the beloved child of Allah, God, Jehovah, or whatever name you name as the One. That One unites our family of brothers and sisters. That One never supports fear or terror, for that One is Love. Brothers, you can help break the stereotypes; you can succeed where governments fail, because brothers and sisters can love, can forgive, can help, can heal. Help stop this cycle. Work for peace. That is all Jill wants. You can help her achieve it.

Paul Gutelius, Grafton, Wis., USA

I pray to Allah for the safe return of Ms. Carroll. I also pray that the Almighty may strengthen her and her family and soften the hearts of her captors. May we see her free and smiling soon.

Nihat Uddin, Neptune, N.J., USA

Jill, I was born in Libya and have lived in Dubai, and I have seen the goodness and dignity of Arabic people. I am praying for you in the belief that your captors are the same good and dignified people who will release you to carry on your work in search of the truth.

Richard Hayward, Prague, Czech Republic

There will always be people who sit safely in their home countries, suggesting young women have no place being reporters in war zones. How do they think the news is going to get reported? By officials or reporters sitting behind walls who only venture out surrounded by bodyguards? Some of the best reporting comes from people like Jill who stay in countries long enough to make relationships and contacts so they can get to the people who really have stories to tell.

Tilly Grey, Lady Lake, Fla., USA

Though it has been many years since we have seen Jill, we always knew that she would do great things. We have many fond memories of the girls playing together as children. We are proud to have known the Carroll family, (Mary Beth, Jim, Katie, and Jill) as our neighbors those many years ago on Perth Street. Jill is constantly in our thoughts and prayers, as are you all. We are confident in her strength to make it through this ordeal.

Maureen, Terry, Erin, Colleen, and Tim Worden, Livonia, Mich., USA

I didn't know Jill Carroll, and we probably don't have a single thing in common, but when I learned that she was being held hostage, I read her story and about the things she does to help other people. I now have a different outlook on how to be kind and help people even if they don't want to help back.

Before Jan. 14, I didn't know who she was. But ever since, I've been hoping for her safe release. I've thought about her every day, because in a way she changed me. She changed how I look at other people. She taught me to put myself in other people's shoes, who don't have the same rights and privileges I do. I think if she can change a 15 year old girl who hardly took a second to think about how bad the war is affecting the Iraqi people, she can change other people. She has become my role model. My thoughts and wishes are with Jill Carroll and her family.

Thank you for helping me understand. God bless, and I hope everything turns out OK.

Cherisse Cherwenka, Black River Falls, Wis., USA

Jill Carroll not only is innocent of wrongdoing, but from what I have read, is a truth-seeker and friend of Iraq and its people. I am in awe of the efforts of the many Muslim leaders who are supporting her.

Ann Howitt, Northridge, Calif., USA

Hope: We have only to believe. And the more threatening and irreducible reality appears, the more firmly and desperately we must believe. - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Mary Gallagher, Ann Arbor, Mich., USA

Chère Carroll,

Je te connais depuis peu de temps, mais tu es très présente dans mes pensées. Je prie pour toi de tout mon coeur et ponctue mes journées de ton nom. Ton innocence est plus forte que toutes les cruautés. Sois forte et reviens-nous vite.

Dear [Jill],

I haven't known you very long, but you are very much in my thoughts. I pray for you with all my heart and each day that goes by bears your name. Your innocence is stronger than all the cruelty. Stay strong and return quickly to us.

Tilmann Deutschbein, Auxerre, France