Support for Jill Carroll

To Jill and the Carroll family: You continue to be in my prayers. Jill's compassion for the Iraqi people is evident in her writing. I pray that God will open the hearts of her captors. They must know by now that Jill's writing will educate the world as to the plight of the Iraqi people. She is a sister worthy of their protection. I wish you all God's strength and blessings as you wait for the news of Jill's release.

Assalaamu Alaikum (May peace be upon you)

Dorie Griggs, Roswell, Ga., USA

Just a few words to say to you, Jill. Your shining example of courage, joy, and integrity have blessed so many through this experience. I pray that you feel the love being poured out to you, and that your captors realize their mistake and release you very soon. God bless you.

Joan Fernandez, Ballwin, Mo., USA

To Jill and her family,

Jill has inspired my prayers for mankind. I am feeling more than ever that Love is the only power there really is, and I feel a growing confidence that this will be proved in Jill's release. A blessing for the whole world is in the works, and it began with Jill's compassion.

May you feel the comfort and power of Love today.

Nancy Humphrey Case, Hyde Park, Vt., USA

Dearest Jill, Our love and prayers are with you. We have had you on our minds constantly since we heard of your kidnapping. It is apparent from the outpouring of love and peace from all over the world that your work and light have impacted many. You are our daughter, everyone's daughter. May the peace of god be with you and sustain you until you are safe. May your captors see the god in you and in themselves and set you free. Soon!

Richard & Janet Plumb, Norton, Mass., USA

Had the pleasure and honor to get to know Jill in Cairo last summer while I was there studying Arabic. I can only confirm what a warm, outgoing and unassuming person she is. Her passion for the region, its people and their stories is an inspiration, and to think of her in this situation is heart-wrenching. Thank you, Jill, for your work and for the inspiration and knowledge you've given others. My prayers are for you, Jill, and for your family and friends. I pray that the day may come soon when we can meet again at Cafe Hurriyya, visit with old friends, laugh, and welcome the strength that good memories can have over the bad. Please stay safe.

Mark Voss, Tucson, Ariz., USA

Dear Ms. Carroll: I have great faith that you will eventually be released and be able to continue the fine reporting that has characterized your career to date. Journalists of your calibre and courage are rare. All persons, regardless of religious or political persuasion, benefit from your efforts at revealing truth through your integrity. To your family, I say that you and Ms. Carroll are in my prayers. Through faith you will find the strength you need to come through this ordeal. To her captors, I say that Ms. Carroll, and all other journalists of high ethical standards are exactly the type of people who are needed to illuminate the world about the realities of Iraq today. Your release of Ms. Carroll will allow her to continue to reveal to the world your struggles, hopes and aspirations. You could wish for no finer journalist than she and she will ensure that the truth will be reported. The newspaper she writes for is held in very high regard for its journalistic integrity and its commitment to objective analysis. The paper, as well as Ms. Carroll, will never shy away from the truth in the face of an oppresive and/or coercive government in the U.S. or anywhere else in the world.

Erik Sunde, Houston, Tex., USA

Jill Carroll's captivity makes me think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego who were cast into the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar in the Bible. While they walked in the midst of the fire not a hair of their head was touched by fire even though the fire was heated "seven times more than it was wont to be heated(Daniel 3). " God was with the three men. The King saw their innocence and freed them. I believe God is with Jill too and God loves her and her captors. Nothing can harm her spirit either. She has so much love to give as shown in her honest reporting.

Katie Brown, Fort Wayne, Ind., USA

My prayers are with you daily.

Edwina Foreman, Norman, Okla., USA

An idealistic young woman from my home town of Ann Arbor goes into the world to do good, to increase understandings between people, to contribute to the solution of the disastrous war in which her country is embroiled. She is a model of courage and conviction. We think of her every day and long for her release.

Miriam Meisler, Ann Arbor, Mich., USA

I am not a reader of the Christian Science Monitor, but have heard only great things of Jill's journalism. I don't know why, but I feel so spiritually connected to her. I requested the Jill and her family be placed on our prayer list at my church. I have faith in the power of prayer; and know in my heart the God will protect her and see her and her family through this. When I heard on the news that Jill might be released, I just cried. Jill Carroll seems like a remarkable young woman. I will continue to pray for her and her family so that Jill may be released and reunited with her family, friends and colleagues. God bless you Jill Carroll .....for who you are and all the great things that you stand for and do!!!

Tara Thomas, Rogersville, Tenn., USA

Since Jill’s kidnapping, I've thought of her every morning when I wake up, and then throughout the day. Jill was the baby sitter for my two children when we lived in Ann Arbor, and they loved her. I am so amazed at how this young woman has dedicated her life to giving people all over the world a better understanding of the war and the Iraqi people through her truthful reporting. We join so many other people around the world in praying for her safe release.

Dawn Krahn, Middleton, Wis., USA

I read some of the stories written by Jill Caroll. I can't understand how anyone reading them would assume she is an enemy to my people. I join others in calling on the kidnappers not to tarnish the Iraqi name even more by spilling innocent blood, however just their demands might be.

All my prayers and wishes for her safe return.

Ali Al Adnan, Baghdad, Iraq

All those on the ground in dangerous places exposing the world to how events are unfolding, and documenting both rights and wrongs, deserve gratitude from both those of us who are informed and those whose stories are publicized. I hope not only for the release of Jill Carroll, but for the day when Iraqis express their thanks to her and people like her for their dedicated efforts.

William Hadfield-Burkardt, Wiesbaden, Germany

Jill Carroll is a model of fairness, integrity, and love. Her news articles have proven to be thorough, clear, perceptive, and fair, and based on obvious research into the truth. She has done much for the Iraqi people, and must continue to have the opportunity to do her fine work. Many of us have been praying for Jill and all the others abducted in Iraq, knowing that they are being watched over and cared for by the divine power of God, good. With the expectation of only good, I send my thoughts.

Marilyn McDonald, Reno, Nev., USA