Jill visits Monitor newsroom
Jill Carroll's return to her family
More reunion photos
Reactions to Jill's release
Efforts to free Jill
There is so much love for Jill being shown around the world and I would like to add my prayers and love in this tangible way. The focus on this situation has really awakened me to the need for constant prayers for all journalists and others who have been taken hostage in Iraq and other countries.
Jane Whitchurch, Harrison, Maine., USA
Jill's light shines for all the world to see. Evil is being unmasked and rejected. God is holding her in His arms and she is always under His protection. We pray, knowing our prayers are answered, for the healing of this situation and Jill's release.
Heide Eberhardt, W. Brookfield, Mass., USA
I am so saddened by what is happenening to Jill in Iraq. The irony that, after the fairness and compassion and sincere interest she has shown to the Iraqi people and culture - that she is now in a position fighting for her life in that country, and at the hands of Iraqis is incomprehensible. I think of her and her family everyday, and send every possible good thought for a safe recovery and return home.
Charity Byrnes, Phoenix, Ariz., USA
Dear Jill and Carroll family,
Our hearts wrench with and for you. As another American freelance journalist living in the Mideast, I would love to help out in any way I possibly can. Please let me know if you could in any way use an Arabic-speaking Muslim convert like myself. I look forward to meeting Jill when she is released, "inshallah," which Jill would understand I'm sure. The Muslim community both at home and abroad stand strongly by your side, as is noted in this post. Salam (peace) to you.
Jennifer Moore, Doha, Qatar
Although I never met Jill Carroll, there are staff members here at the Jordan Times office who haven't forgotten her: The impression she left was a very good one. I distinctly remember reading the Monitor one day and remarking to myself about the story (which was solid reporting) but also the reporter’s name which sounded American to me, and I remember telling myself "Wow, she’s got guts." Ever since then, I always looked out for her contributions.
As an intern at the Jordan Times, I admire Jill's skills and talent as a journalist, but most of all her conviction. Jill's story is not about glamorizing the dangers faced by foreign correspondents. Rather, it illustrates the raison d'etre of journalism in its most idealistic form (which is sadly, sometimes forgotten - or worse, ignored): the pursuit of truth. Jill's reporting on the Iraqi casualties of the US-led invasion of Iraq told a story that wasn't being told, but that the world needed to know about. I keep praying for Jill's release, for her family, and for all prisoners of Iraq's war.
Sheila M. Dabu, Amman, Jordan
To Jill and the Carroll Family,
You are in the prayers of my family, my church, and my fellow military members. Just always remember that God is stronger than any man and has the ways of working miracles in the strangest ways sometimes. We are praying for His strength and might to show again and win the release of Jill.
Bobby & Laura O'Neal, Clearfield, Utah, USA
In the Bible (Acts 12) we read that Peter was freed from the prison by an angel - the chains just fell off him, and the prison gate opened "of its own accord." Those same forces that freed him can and will also free Jill Carroll.
Kent Rodebaugh, Buena Vista, Colo., USA
I would kindly urge the captors of Miss Jill to release her back to her family without any delay. My heart bleeds to see that this noble lady who has dedicated her life for the good of humanity is going through such an agonizing moment. May the Lord who delivered Daniel from the lions' den deliver her also.
Baddor Moses Washington, Kumasi, Ghana
I am writing to express my deepest, heartfelt wishes for Jill's immediate release. I echo the sentiments of many who have stated that her courage, honesty, and integrity are qualities the entire world admires and respects. Her voice needs to continue to be heard by all.
Stefanie Anderson, Port Townsend, Wash., USA
Jill's courage made a great impact on me because I was a young Reuters reporter covering Saddam Hussein's war in Iraq more than 20 years ago, and I can understand exactly what drove her on. This cruel videotape can only serve to make all our prayers more powerful. Here in Thailand, our Christian and Buddhist friends are praying and making offerings for her every day. Please tell her family that her colleagues around the world are standing beside her and that a great host of ordinary people have come to see her as a symbol of all that is finest in America. She is truly bearing witness.
Michael Sheridan, Bangkok, Thailand
I was stunned to hear in the national news of the plight of your journalist, Jil Carroll. I am sure that, as someone who writes for your paper, she was taking only an objective view of the war and was working in a hostile environment to do so. My hopes and prayers go out to everybody in the Monitor family.
Tom McBride, Amherst, Mass., USA
I had the good fortune to grow up a few doors down from Jill's mother, aunt, uncles, grandparents, and many cousins. Jill is a member of the most wonderful family I have ever known. Though I have never met Jill, her talent, courage, and integrity are not surprising. Hopefully everyone has been blessed to know a family like Jill's. And if so, Jill represents something we all have in common. Something of value beyond measure that we all share. Please, in the name of that shared value, in the name of all the loving families and good people in every country in the world, release this sweet woman and return her unharmed to her family and her work. I look forward to the day very soon when Jill will be free and writing with compassion and honesty once again. My thoughts are with Jill, Marybeth, Ret, Vic, Chris, Fred, Betty, and Fritz. May you be filled with hope and strength always.
Dan Higgins, Naperville, Ill., USA
I am extremely saddened by Jill Carroll's kidnapping. My prayers go out to her and her family. I pray, too, that her kidnappers will realize the voices of independent journalists are the best hope for justice.
Matthew Kelly, Newton, Mass., USA
Miss Carroll's work with The Christian Science Monitor has only been helpful to all people in Iraq. The Christian Science Monitor has as part of its motto: to bless all mankind. Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of this newspaper, named it The Christian Science Monitor because the Science of the Christ is a universal concept declaring that all men and women are God's children and, as such, are all brothers and sisters equal in God's sight. The Monitor is a highly principled newspaper that seeks only to report the truth and thereby to help resolve conflicts.
Elaine Dent, Manitou Springs, Colo., USA
To fall in love with a culture not your own, to learn the language and to befriend the people is a gift. To tell their story, especially when they are suffering, is an act of courage. Jill Carroll is one of those special people blessed with this gift and this kind of courage. Freeing her will allow her to continue speaking for Iraqis, whose country means so much to her. My prayer is that her captors will see her gift, value it, and set her free. God bless.
Judith McCarrick, Nevada City, Calif., USA
I am a part of the extended family of Allan, the interpreter killed when Jill was kidnapped. I pray every day that Jill will return home safely. May God bless her and give her and her wonderful family strength.
Charlotte Carley, Bolingbrook, Ill., USA
Jill Carroll symbolizes the conviction to convey unembellished reality with the sincere intent to bring to light the plight of freedom-loving Iraqis.
My prayer is that she should not be made part of the strife.
Suresh Kalkunte, Baghdad, Iraq
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