Posted on 05/13/2005 6:18:59 PM PDT by Red Sea Swimmer
An Australian cleric in Iraq to negotiate the release of a kidnapped contractor prayed in a Sunni mosque in Baghdad today for the hostage's freedom.
"I came here to pray for the release of Douglas Wood," Australian mufti Sheik Taj Aldin Alhilali said, calling on the Australian's captors to provide him with medical treatment.
Alhilali also told reporters he has urged the kidnappers to allow a delivery of medication for Woods, who has heart and blood pressure problems.
"Until now we are still carrying his medicines," Alhilali said.
"He is suffering from blood pressure and heart problems. His medicines are with us and we hope that any human being who has human emotions to help us in making this medicine reach this sick person at the place where he is held."
The hostage's family says 63-year-old Wood is suffering from a number of life-threatening illnesses, including heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and rheumatoid arthritis.
"Douglas Wood's abduction is a matter which affects all Muslims worldwide," Alhilali said after Friday prayers in Baghdad's Abdel Kader al-Gilani mosque.
Advertisement Advertisement"I met several people in Iraq who promised me to do their utmost" to secure Wood's release, he added.
In footage released last weekend by an extremist Sunni organisation, a badly bruised Wood was seen pleading for his life as rifles were pointed at his head.
Alhilali said yesterday after meeting members of the Committee of Muslim Scholars, the country's leading Sunni Muslim authority, that he was confident of the Australian's release.
The sheikh had said a deadline set by Wood's kidnappers for the withdrawal of Australian troops from Iraq that expired on Tuesday had been extended to 6am today (AEST) but there has been no news of him.
Australia - a close US ally which took part in the US-led invasion of March 2003 and still has about 550 troops stationed in Iraq - has refused the kidnappers' demands.
When the whole world is free of being held hostage from the various tyrannical forces that have beset humankind throughout history we will have entered a new age.
Freedom is vital to human wellbeing.
Someone really enjoyed writing that headline. LOL
I hope the prayers succeed.
I thought he was praying for Tiger Woods. My first reaction was why??????
Tiger Woods form is slipping. Divine intervention may be needed.
:)
That speaks volumes, as it always has. Same as it ever was....
If prayer doesn't work, he can always try Levitra...
I received a prayer request via email about Mr. Wood from our church. He is a relation to one of our members. Please pray that he is released to his family.
Look, Tiger misses the cut for the first time in over 140 tournaments, it doesn't mean he's deathly ill and in need of as many prayers the world wide as possible.
Oh wait.
It's been assuring to read of Sheik Taj Aldin Alhilali's dealings with the Wood family. If I'm not mistaken, he represents what can be considered one of the most liberal traditions of traditional Islam, Cosmopolitan Lebanese emigres who migrated to live in Cosmopolitan Sydney. Here's hoping that Wood is released, and that Sheik Alhilali isn't harmed in Iraq, or rebuked by Wahhabist Muslims in Australia upon his return.
This guy must be the Australian Jesse Jackson.
There are very few Wahhabbist Muslims in Australia. ASIO is doing a great job. Australians have great powers of observation. All that desert sun, open expanses and bright skies.
That's cause Australia has CAJONES! THANK YOU AUSSIES!!!!
Australian Mufti Praises JihadThe Mufti of Australia, Sheik Taj Aldin Alhilali, appealed for the release of Australian hostage Douglas Wood by expressing support for the jihad. (Hat tip: LGF readers.)
“We value your jihad and your efforts and we call upon you to do something for the sake of our community and all Australian society, which does not support (Prime Minister John) Howard’s pro-American policies,” he said.
I, too, pray for wood...often...
If you check out his wifes form, you'd undertand why he does not practice as much. ;) In her case, I am sure divine intervention did occur. mmmmmmmmm
Maybe someone should just tell him about Viagra.
I read the headline, and all I could think of was an Australian in civilian clothes praying for Viagra.
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