British Muslims plea for ‘mercy and compassion’ for UK hostage Alan Henning

British Muslim leaders have joined calls for the Islamic State (IS) extremist group to release the UK hostage Alan Henning. They have urged the militants to show mercy to the 47-year-old from Salford, and to let him go unharmed. The father-of-two travelled to Syria with charity workers in December, but was kidnapped and now faces beheading at the hands of the terrorist dubbed ‘Jihadi John’.

Alan was so moved by the suffering of the Syrian people, in particular the children, that he devoted all his free time in raising money and awareness about their suffering.

Muslim friend of Alan Henning in the video appeal

The intervention came as a friend of Mr Henning, who was on the same aid convoy, made a direct appeal to IS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, to show “compassion and mercy”. In the video the man describes travelling “several times” to Syria with Mr Henning. “On all occasions, we - your Muslim brothers - brought him with us under our care and protection,” he says. It comes as new footage shows Mr Henning en route to Syria, saying it is “all worthwhile” to make sure aid gets to where it is needed. Mr Henning, a taxi driver, was kidnapped within 30 minutes of crossing from Turkey into Syria. He had volunteered to drive an ambulance full of medical aid as part of a community-funded charity trip organised by volunteers from Bolton and the UK Arab Society.

We, the undersigned British Muslim Imams, organisations and individuals, wish to express our horror and revulsion at the senseless murder of David Haines and the threat to the life of our fellow British citizen, Alan Henning.

Muslim leaders in a letter published in the Independent

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