Since the British-Iraqi aid worker from 'Care International' was kidnapped on Tuesday last week, Iraqi Christians and Muslims alike have expressed their deep concern with the situation. Even though the incident cannot actually be said to be related to the conflict between two religions, the unmerciful behaviour of the Islamic extremists has been widely condemned by many Muslims. As for Christians, earnest prayer for the hostage has been seen across the world.

Yesterday, Christian worshippers in Iraq prayed at Sunday Services for the release of kidnapped aid worker Margaret Hassan. Parish priest al-Khori Rufaeel, Deputy Head of the Syrian Catholic Community, condemned her abduction, saying it did not serve the country’s interests.

Last Friday, the world first heard from Hassan through a video showing her weeping and pleading for her life. She asked the British people and the British Prime Minister Tony Blair to take the troops out of Iraq.

The Iraqi Government, while criticising the Islamic extremists involved, hold a decisive attitude to the kidnappers. Prime Minister Dr Iyad Allawi, has rejected the kidnappers’ demands. In addition, while many foreign aid agencies are pulling out from the country in the midst of the crisis, Iraqi Security National Security Adviser Muffawaq al-Rubaiye, strongly recommended them to stay, otherwise it would mean giving in to terrorists.

“We hope she will be released. We are doing our best, we are praying for her, and we are exerting our utmost efforts to release her,” Iraqi Prime Minister said.

Hassan is well known for her great contribution to the Iraqi people. A former Iraqi student of Hassan while she was working as a Director at the British Council wrote to the newspaper, quoted the remarkable word of Hassan as he appealed for her release. Hassan once said, “You can hate the policy of the British government, but it’s hard to hate an entire people for that policy.”

There have been predictions that as the present case of Hassan is so overwhelming and well-publicised in the West and in the Arab world, especially with a strong emphasis on her good work in Iraq; her kidnappers will feel under pressure to release her.