Daughter prays for hostage dad

2005-05-17 14:38

Sydney - The daughter of an Australian engineer being held hostage in Iraq has posted an emotional message to his kidnappers on a website set up by the hostage's family, saying she is praying for her father, but also for his captors.

Douglas Wood's daughter, Christina, wrote in the message posted on Monday"In my thoughts and prayers I see my dad surrounded by strength, peace, and protection to help him through this ordeal."

She said: "I focus on filling him with physical, emotional, and spiritual strength.

"I also focus in on his captors as well, recognising they have had very difficult lives that have shaped them into who they are.

"I also send them prayers and love to open their hearts and minds so they will choose to release my dad soon to us, his family."

A rebel group calling itself the Shura Council of the Mujahedeen of Iraq had held Wood, 63, who had a serious heart condition and had lived in the United States for more than a decade, for more than two weeks.

'Wood is pleading for help'

The Australian government had refused to meet the group's demand to pull Australian troops out of Iraq.

Wood had not been heard from in more than a week since his captors released video images of him, his head shaved and face bruised, pleading for help.

His daughter's message attempted to humanise Wood to his captors.

She wrote: "One of the things I learned from him growing up is a love for other people and cultures.

"As an adult, I continue to respect and promote the religious beliefs of other cultures.

"My thoughts and prayers are as always with the Iraqi people.

"I sympathise with their plight, how difficult things are over there right now, and pray for a peaceful and independent future for Iraq."

- AP