Jill visits Monitor newsroom
Jill Carroll's return to her family
More reunion photos
Reactions to Jill's release
Efforts to free Jill
I love the Monitor's mission to injure no man and to bless all mankind. I recognized the other day that this mandate is a power in action and felt it as a protection to Jill, as a healing influence for the whole region on the methods and politics in play, and even ultimately touching the kidnappers in some helpful way. Many in my city are continuing to pray for her release!
Isobel Davis, Seattle, Wash., USA
I rely on The Christian Science Monitor for news of what is really happening in the world. Jill Carroll's contribution to my understanding of Iraq has been very important. Without her effort and those of other journalists writing for the Monitor, I would have only the US government's information to consider. Because of brave reporters like herself, I have insight into the struggle of Iraq to recover from this war.
I wanted to add my voice here in Idaho to all of those calling for her safe release.
Robin Davis, Boise, Idaho, USA
I teach at several of the schools connected to the US Army Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. I have had my prayer group pray for your safe return. The group sends out an e-mail to hundreds of people, and all of the people on this e-mail list have been asked to pray for you. May God bless and protect you. Sincerely, respectfully, and in Christ,
Dr. Ernest Evans, Leavenworth, Kan., USA
Most Americans cannot imagine traveling to Iraq, and most Americans in Iraq cannot imagine stepping foot outside the Green Zone.
Jill Carroll lived and worked outside the Green Zone because she believed that the real story of Iraq was not in the relative comfort and security of the Green Zone, but in the neighborhoods where ordinary Iraqis struggled to face the new world.
Jill Carroll simply sought the truth so that we could know it also. But that simple act makes her one of the most courageous champions of truth in the world.
A man from that region of the world (who is revered by Christians and respected by Muslims) once said "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Brian O'Toole, Capitola, Calif., USA
I am an Iranian and I am also a Christian. My Muslim Iranian friends and Christian friends are praying every day for Ms. Carroll's release. Infinite Love knows no barriers and we lift everyone of those captors to this Love. We bless them with this boundless Love which can only express what is naturally in their hearts: all that is merciful and good.
Marta Greenwood, London, England
I strongly support the efforts to release Ms. Jill Carroll from her kidnappers. At the same time, I turn to God in prayer to understand that He will lead all people involved in this case to reach the best solution we expect.
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9). I sense Ms. Carroll is one of them.
Frank Vera, Havana, Cuba
As a child growing up in the Midwest, I spent more time at the home of Jill's maternal grandparents than at my own. The values they instilled in their children of honesty, integrity, and compassion for others are so clearly evident in the life and work of their grandchild, Jill. I pray every day that her captors' hearts are softened and that she is released and returned safely to her loving and courageous family. My love to Mary Beth, Betty, Fritz, Rett, Chris, Vic, Fred and Katie.
Liz Higgins, Newton, Mass., USA
I appeal to all people who detain or can help this noble woman, Jill Carroll in the name of Allah the almighty, humanity, Arab chivalry, and every value they believe in, to set her free and keep her safe of any kind of hurt.
Mohd Amin, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Almost every day someone asks me whether I - as a Christian Scientist - am connected with Jill Carroll's newspaper. They tell me of their prayers. Last night, as I checked into my motel room, the manager asked the same question. He told me he is a Vietnam vet and that he learned that prayer is so important, because God answers prayers. He said he's been praying for Jill's release, and he knows it's important to persist. He said prayer is like a science because it proves something. It proves that God is always there. I asked if he knew the word "science" was included in the phrase "Christian Science" for that reason. He never knew that and was glad that the people at The Christian Science Monitor believe in the science of their prayers.
Shirley Paulson, Glenview, Ill., USA
God is merciful, kind, and compassionate to all beings on earth. God heals, resurrects, metamorphoses, and sheds light in the dark corners of the mind. We pray to God to give the captors the light of knowledge so that they release her and never do such things to innocent creatures.
Nirmal Kumar Mishra, Patna, India
Dear Jill,
Please know that you are loved by "strangers" such as us, who are praying for you and for your family. We also keep in prayer those who hold you captive. We choose to believe that they will come to their "right minds" and immediately release you without harm. Let it be!
The Pas Family, Milford, Mich., USA
My heart aches for Jill and for those who know and love her. I am vehemently against our war on the Iraqis and sympathize in many ways with those we call "terrorists." But actions such as kidnapping and threatening the lives of innocent journalists only serve to perpetuate the misguided view of many Westerners that Muslims are a heartless people for whom life holds no value. Jill's (and the other innocents') kidnappers must prove this is a fallacy by releasing them unharmed.
Gabrielle Bucak, Havertown, Pa., USA
Jill Carroll is a courageous human being who should be honored for her dedication to pursuing peace and truth and justice, and released at once.
Jill is a gift to be cherished by all Muslims, as she was serving as the eyes and ears of Iraqis in order to report the truth to the millions of non-Muslim readers in the United States and around the world who are dedicated to justice and peace, even at great peril to her own safety. Each one of us will be answerable to Allah for our actions, and how will her captors stand before Allah then? It is unjust to hold Jill Carroll in captivity. Please, if you are an Allah-fearing Muslim, I appeal to you to do the right thing and release her immediately.
Naseem Rahim, PhD, Springfield, Ohio., USA
I am just one person, quietly praying from my desk at work, for the safe release of Jill Carroll. Just possibly, maybe, one more prayer is all it might take. Maybe that prayer is yours!
Charles Herfurth, Scottsdale, Ariz., USA
There is something about this remarkable, courageous young woman that has captivated my attention. I know that I join countless thousands around the world who feel similarly, and who are praying fervently for her safe release. Somehow Jill's abduction has become a symbol for all that is cruel and wrong with the conflict in Iraq. Her safe return would be an even stronger symbol that there is a shred of decency and compassion left in that war-ravaged nation.
There is no constituency or stakeholder in this war, no matter how radical their agenda, that could possibly benefit from harming Jill. Her release would be a ray of hope for every person and family, inside Iraq and around the world, that is touched by this war.
Nate Lamkin, Stoughton, Mass., USA
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