Hundreds of Muslims Urge Taliban to Release the 22 Christian Hostages
"My message to the Koreans, in particular to the families of these men and women being held by the Taliban, is this: We are optimistic. Don't worry. We are doing our best…Please be patient," –Ghazni lawmaker Habib Rahman
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(Ghazni, Afghanistan)—As negotiations continue over the release of the 22 Korean Christian hostages held in Ghazni, Afghanistan by members of the Taliban terrorist organization, more than 400 South Korean Muslims gathered, Friday, at the Seoul Central Masjid, to pray for and urge the release of the hostages.
According to a report by Yonhap news agency, Abdul Rashid, who gave the sermon on Friday, spoke about Bae Hyung-kyu, the Korean youth pastor who was martyred earlier this week. "We, Korea Muslim Federation and the Muslims in Korea, express our deepest condolences for the Korean victims in Afghanistan and share his family's sense of bereavement," said Rashid.
The Christian Post reports that a former Taliban member has joined the team of negotiations in Afghanistan, in hopes of persuading the terror group to free the hostages.
To read the full report, follow the link provided.
(Friday, July 27)
(Ghazni, Afghanistan)-Although the latest deadline of noon on Friday (3 a.m. EDT) -set by the Taliban-passed without incident, and all the remaining 22 Korean Christian hostages held captive by the terrorist organization were reported to be "fine," talks between an Afghan delegation and the Taliban became more urgent after one of the hostages made a public plea.
One of the women being held, identified by CBS as Yo Cyun-ju, implored, "We are in a very difficult time. Please help us. We are all pleading with you to help us get out of here as soon as possible. Really, we beg you," she said, adding, "All of us are sick and in very bad condition. "
The purported spokesman for the Taliban maintained that the hostages would only be released if Taliban prisoners are set free from prison.
(Thursday, July 26)
(Afghanistan)-There were no more killings overnight, of any of the hostages held by the Taliban, although another one of the terror organization's deadlines passed without resolution. (Photo: Bae Hyung-kyu-REUTERS)
Details began to surface about the one hostage who was killed earlier this week, Bae Hyung-kyu, a Presbyterian youth pastor in South Korea. Bae was also the leader of the aid mission the other Korean Christians were on, as they were scheduled to help in a hospital in Afghanistan. He was a husband and father of one.
Yonhap News quoted an acquaintance of Bae's who told them, "He was close to many members of the church, because he was always generous enough to help with the prayers of each of the 300 members of the youth division."
According to his church in South Korea, Bae was murdered on his birthday, he had just turned 42.
(Wednesday, July 25)
Ghazni, Afghanistan)-FOXNews is reporting that eight of the 23 Korean Christian hostages abducted by the Taliban were freed earlier Wednesday, and taken to a US military base. Word of the release was leaked to the media by an unidentified source after it was confirmed that the terror group had shot and killed one of the hostages. (Photo: REUTERS)
"Since Kabul's administration did not listen to our demand and did not free our prisoners, the Taliban shot dead a male Korean hostage," the alleged Taliban media rep, Qari Yousef Ahmadi, told Reuters news service by phone on Wednesday, according to an earlier report by the Christian Post.
The FOXNews report stated, "One of the officials, who asked not to be identified because he wasn't authorized to share the information, said six females and two males had been taken to the main U.S. base in Ghazni."
Though the hostages were accused of having an "evangelistic" agenda, Eric Young-Christian Post correspondent-says, "Despite accusations that the Koreans were on an evangelistic mission, South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun, as well as the senior pastor of the hostages' home church, the Rev. Park Eun-jo, emphasized that the volunteers were there to provide free medical or educational services with no missionary intentions.
For the full report, click on the link provided.
