Do Unto Others

The family of 63 year-old hostage Douglas Wood has set up a website to appeal to his captors and those who might have information that would lead to his safe return.

On the site, there are family statements, photos, and videos. Messages and captions are written in both English and Arabic.

On the main page:

Statement by the Family of Douglas Wood

We the family of Douglas Wood remain profoundly concerned for him and are in distress and deep sorrow. Our only wish is for his safe release. We will ask him to close his business and leave Iraq as soon as he is released.

Our experience of the past days has forced us to reflect on the many difficulties, sorrows and humiliations experienced by the people of Iraq, who are our fellow brothers and sisters. We empathise with those who have lost loved ones, lost jobs and lost hope.

We are moved, therefore, to help and to share the burden. To this end, out of a sense of moral obligation and solidarity, the family of Douglas Wood will be making a generous charitable donation to help the people of Iraq.

The contribution will be provided in the best way we can.

We know those who are holding Douglas will share our wish to provide help and support for the people of Iraq and we appeal to them to inform us, through trusted community leaders, about how they would want this charitable effort to be used and provided.

We appeal again to those who have taken Douglas to also show compassion and charity towards him. We ask that they remember his respect for the people of Iraq and for their patriotism. We know he would want to do all he could to help the Iraqi people to be free and at peace and would support our family's charitable gesture.

Monday 9 May 2005
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The website succeeds in humanizing Mr. Wood. One cannot visit the site without becoming painfully aware that the hostages in Iraq are real people with real people who care about them. Mr. Wood has a loving family. He's a brother, father, and grandfather.

They are appealing to the souls of his captors, offering to donate cash to help the Iraqis, hoping that they will spare Mr. Wood. He and his family have done nothing to hurt the Iraqi people. He is innocent.

One can only pray the captors have at least some remnants of conscience.