Thank you so much for posting this today. And thanks to Riverbend for her words, for putting a face and a memory to the interpreter who was killed in this kidnapping.

I am sorry for your loss. We are not often permitted to see the human cost to the Iraqis of the turmoil in that part of the world.

Thanks for witness, dear sister.

I call you so for I know you are in Christ, one only Body, like Allan is. He is a martyr on his duty.

I fell so much pity for the victims of the unlimited violence which continuosly flows from the Islamic doctrine of justice. This is not justice; this is a criminal taste for human blood.

If I would be asked to be martyr for Our Lord Jesus, I will say YES, even now. I will show the barbaric Sunnis there that Christian can offer their blood for the faith in Christ, I am not feared by their stupid ultimatum to shut up our mouth and listen their Coran.

As a free lance journalist myself and writing a book about the Islamic unbearable endo-gamia (which limits the women's rights)

I shall write more and more my own truth, to witness that Freedom and Justice are only in Him, the humble Lamb Our Saviour Christ. I shall be proud of the Joy the Holy Spirit only an give, never the swords of criminals.

It's a pity a cannot translate my own blog, which is in Italian, but give the link reproducing the letter I sent to the CSM for Jill's sake. And show well where is to found the morals of Sunna.

Nothing that an horrible fanatism which is preached by the guns, they themeselves today buy by Western dealers..

And last but not least, when the ACLU and other American associations make spot on the secret affairs of Bush administration and say there's abuse, they could better look at the abuse and cinism the Press organisation use to exploit a young idealist free-lancer like Jill and incourage such madly missions, which become the weapons of blackmail of the criminal insurrection paid back by Syrian intelligence!

this at least my letter (mail)

to The Christian Science Monitor

One Norway Street

Boston, MA 02115

USA

Reading the very sad news of Ms. Carroll abduction in Iraq and being informed about the circumstances of this accident, I feel, as Italian free-lance writer living in Tunisia and well informed in Islamic-related matters, the immediate moral duty to denounce the relative cynism of many newspapers on incouraging the role of such young, totally naive, female-reporters to enter the hell of Sunni popular cityquarters.

Personally I published a very informing blog on the matter, but only in Italian language. Please let it be translated in English and let it be readen by all Christian reporters who work in Iraq. The page is http://www.letteresullacqua.blogspot.com

I think that, as any Christian-committed newspaper, you could at least inform of the enormous life risk which incumbs on such field and discourage any attempts to work with, on moral and human grounds. It’s sad that one cannot speak frankily on Islam-related items for terrorist attack fears: let speak more critically instead, so they cannot think to obtain a ‘de facto’ illegal censorship right. I am scandalised of such naivity, even if the woman in question could be perfectly an Arab-speaking subject. The fact of playing Sunni or Shia roles to cover the life treath is not a child play. It can be easily fatal. The Christian translator has now become a martyr on his duty, we all pray Carroll’s life could be spared. I hope that this accident can teach itself the Christian prudence.

Nino,

Riverbend is not "in Christ". She is a Sunni Muslim, though she is secular and has Shia Muslims in her family.

Dear Riverbend,

Thanks for recalling your memories of your friend and Iraq. For this tragedy, I have wondered about the interpreter and how our losses probably pale compared to those of the Iraqi's.

Dear Riverbend,

Thanks so much for your very warm and poignant tribute to Alan. I'm sure he was a wonderful person and a dear friend. Religion makes no difference to me if one is a good person. There are religious zealots who I consider immoral, and atheists/agnostics who bend over backwards on behalf of all Man/Woman-kind. Jesus was Peacemaker, not Warrior. Jesus Loved Everyone.

Anyone who believes that Jesus is the Son of God should get with the program and reach out to All of God's Children.

God wouldn't Create expendible people to Die in War. God is not a Game Artist. War is Crazy. Peace is Good.

I believe that God wants all of us to Live in Peace together as a recognition, and tribute to the fact, that there is only one Supreme Creator. Whatever you may choose to call Him, He is the One God and our petty differences don't compute in His Overall Vision of the World.

Somebody here argues I am wrong thinking of "Riverbend" as Christian. I know she is a "secular" Shia member. But I feel sincere sympathy for her, because she has done a sincere report of Allan's lifestyle in Baghdad. And I hope that she could understand that calling her "sister in Christ" is meant to include her feelings in the perfect example of Humanity Jesus gave and in which Allan believed, like me.

I also know that the Shia Community in Iraq has soffered so long oppression and their historical background is also marked by the martyrdom of their leaders. This is why I tested, as Christian, that faith dialogue with some Shia intellectuals goes better thant it could be with Sunnis. But I do not preach sectarism, do not misunderstand me. I hope at the contrary that, by this lost friendship, "Riverbend" could also feel the importance of approach the message of the Gospel and know exactly what is the Christian martyrdom, which is an essential point of true faith.

Not a military example to boast with, but a witness in Eternal Life and the Goodness of Our God, Who asks "love your enemies and PRAY for them"!

As fanatical Muslims always shout to the "untouchble truths" of the Quran, ready as they are to defend or preach them by the sword, I ask brotherly "Riverbend" to read the Gospel, and I pray Our Lord could open her spiritual eyes to know her personal

Truth to believe; and remark how true it comes to be that:

"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are ALL ONE in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Letter to Galatians 3:26-29)

and this:

"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:19-25)

Missionary Nino Mucci