Support for Jill Carroll

Jill Carroll is the best of us. To Muslims who don’t know the organization she works for, “The Christian Science Monitor” might sound off putting or like an organization that begins their world view with a “Christian” centric viewpoint, but the truth is much greater than that.

The Christian Science Monitor is the best of journalism in many ways, it is probably more even handed in viewing world events and competing interests in news stories than any journalistic publication I can think of.

Jill shared that approach, and her interest in international events and the story behind the story and most centrally, the Iraqi people is something that needs telling. From all accounts Jill is young, fair minded, and interested positively in the Islamic world. It would also seem that she wants more genuinely to tell the full story of the complexities of Iraq and seek understanding in a fashion the mainstream media virtually never demonstrates.

The fact that she took great risks to share a full perspective and dedicated in earnest her life to seeking the full story, learning Arabic, and bravely reaching out firsthand to develop an independent view of the Iraqi events is testimony to her integrity of endeavor.

The captors should know that she is their worst target, and extinguishing the kinds of stories her publication presents regularly is how polarized perspectives get built that perpetuate in inevitable conflict.

Decent people everywhere should decry the suffering on all sides of conflict. To leverage the most decent and the best sources of understanding for many of complex events as a hostage who can be bartered as leverage under the threat of death is a tragedy to all sides in the conflict.

There are people who risk great things to bring even handed, meaningful views of zones in conflict to audiences who don’t get those perspectives elsewhere. They should be the the most protected people in the Islamic world.

Please consider seriously the outcome of snuffing out such a positive, even handed perspective, it will not help any cause as well as just being appreciative that balanced, rigorous journalists who try and develop and share real understanding and context of events are one of the best bulwarks against all kinds of oppression and conflict.

My sincere hope goes out that Jill is spared, and continues as an ambassador of understanding in a part of the world where desperation too often limits the development of common cause solutions that make the world better.

If the Muslim captors would read the publication and make themselves familiar with the Christian Science Monitor they would see that Jill is the farthest thing from being an enemy.

It will be a sad day for the entire world and all causes if this bright young person is sacrificed to the desperation of conflict, and my view that different religions are all like different languages, as languages enable communications, different religions are just different dialects of worshipping god and spirituality and human values. Please spare Jill so she stays on her life path of sharing the stories of context and even handedness that improve the world, she is no ones enemy and the one god that is known by many dialects (religions) would not want her of all his children to leave the earth. Jill deserves the prayers of Christians, jews, and muslims alike and I hope god protects her.

Fritz Maffry, Boston, Mass., USA

Know the love

I hope and pray that those who are holding Jill Carroll will know the love that Jill feels for you, your families, and your country. She has commited her life and work to helping the western world reach a better understanding of Iraq, its people, and its culture. Set her free so that she can continue to spread the truth that will bring peace and end the occupation of Iraq.

Jeannie Kleinhammer-Tramill, Tampa, Fla., USA

On the night shift

I pray for Jill's release unharmed and for reassurance that "right wins the right of way" for her family, too,. I pray for reassurane that justice prevails throughout the world. My time slot in an "around the clock" prayer group is 2 to 3 a.m. - daytime in Iraq - and any moments available, It is evident that universal divvine Love never sleeps and is unceasiing in Its operation to help the "righteous" and the "unrighteous" to see and follow the honest and true path to peace.with justice.

Doris Libey, Cordova, Ill., USA

Not biased against Muslims

I don't know if this will be read by Jill's captors, if it is, please let me tell you that for three decades I have read this paper because it is one of the very few that is not biased against Muslims. Neither the CSM nor Jill has ever written anything to harm us Muslims. I am a Muslim, by killing Jill you will kill us too.

Kazi Farid Hasan, New York, NY, USA

She is their friend, sister, and not an enemy

I pray that Jill's captors will realize that this brave young woman is their friend, their sister, and not an enemy. I pray that they will find the goodness that is surely in their hearts and release her. And I pray that her family will find strength during this difficult time.

Ann Bochnowski, Munster, Ind., USA

Rejecting terror

As a Muslim who rejects terror from any side, I pray for this innocent lady. I felt pain and rage when I saw her on Al Jazeera TV. Islam is against harming women, children, and old people - even during war. It is certainly against harming innocent people! I send my deepest sympathy and concern.

Abdel Alami, Casablanca, Morocco

Her release would be a great victory

The immediate release of Jill Carroll would be a great victory for the people of Iraq. Jill has always been a great advocate for Iraq and for the Iraqi people, and her release would allow her the opportunity to continue to voice her concern about the injustices and hardships suffered by the Iraqis. Her release would be a compassionate and humane gesture, demonstrating the true peaceful nature of Islam.

Ray Doherty, Waitsfield, Vermont, USA

An agreement among so many

A long time ago I attended a talk given by Buckminster Fuller. When he finished, a thunder of applause broke out and continued a very long time. He made the comment that the applause wasn't for him, but showed an agreement among the listeners concerning the principles and truths shared.

I feel the outpouring of support for Jill shows an "agreement" between so many people of different faiths, political backgrounds, and nationalities that we are one in standing for justice, for truth, for freedom, for peace. This is our negotiating table, this chorus of voices proclaiming, in the words of a hymn by Violet Hay, written with special recognition of the mission of The Christian Science Monitor, "One the Love whose ever-presence blesses all and injures none... safe within this Love we find all being one."

For within the hearts of man rises up a response to release not only Jill, but mankind, until, as the hymn's last verse says, "Day by day the understanding of our oneness shall increase... till among all men and nations warfare shall forever cease." With deep love and continuous prayers for Jill, her dear family, and for every man, woman, and child who stands for Truth.

Peg Waterman, Newport, Wash., USA

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