WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- A Washington-based Islamic organization Wednesday condemned the apparent murder of Dublin-born aid worker Margaret Hassan by Iraqi insurgents.
Hassan, who converted to Islam and worked to assist Iraq's poor for decades, was kidnapped Oct. 19 in Baghdad, where she was the local director of the relief group CARE International.
A video released to the Al-Jazeera satellite network showed what was purported to be Hassan's execution.
In a statement in Washington, the Council on American-Islamic Relations said: "We condemn this cold-blooded murder and repudiate all those who commit such acts of mindless violence. We offer sincere condolences to Ms. Hassan's family and once again call on people of all faiths and cultures to work together for peace and reconciliation, not continued war and destruction."
In October, CAIR held a news conference in Washington at which a number of American imams issued a statement calling for the release of all hostages held in Iraq.
CAIR also sent a letter of support to CARE international Secretary-General Denis Caillaux.
