“TFF’s team were privileged to meet
Margaret Hassan for hours during its fact-finding
missions to Baghdad in both 2002 and 2003. Few – if any –
we met were so knowledgeable, so committed to the welfare
of the Iraqi people, so concerned about its fate should
war come – and so generous with her time as Margaret
was.
We at TFF are deeply saddened to learn that she was taken hostage on her way to work on October 19, 2004.
The kidnappers are working against the interests of the Iraqi people. Under no circumstance must their activity be considered legitimate or otherwise acceptable, also not as an expression of resistance to the unjust war and occupation.
Powerless as we feel, we condemn such actions and hope that she will be released unharmed.”
Jan Oberg, TFF director
CNN – November 17, 2004 Tributes to Iraq’s Mother Teresa Heartbreak over Margaret Hassan’s fate
November 3 – Breaking and alarming news New video: Margaret’s kidnappers threaten to hand her over to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, she faints on the video that Aljazeera calls "too graphic".
November 3 – Alarming news New video: Margaret’s kidnappers threaten to hand her over to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, she faints on the video that Aljazeera calls "too graphic".
Google News to world news about Hassan’s fate
BBC – Profile of Margaret Hassan
BBC – Charity worker kidnapped in Iraq
CNN – Charity chief kidnapped in Iraq
CARE International’s work in Iraq
Outpuring support by the Iraqi people – CARE international UK
Aljazeera.Net, October 20, 2004
International Herald Tribune, October 20, 2004
CNN – CARE suspends its operation in Iraq after kidnapping, October 20, 2004
GOOGLE News – Numerous very informative articles from all over the world, October 21, 2004
ABC – PM, Australia – Margaret Hassan’s husband appeals to Blair to not even mention his wife’s name – October 22, 2004
Tom Teepen, Palm Beach Post, October 22, 2004 Star hostage in an unholy mess
Aljazeera.com – October 22, 2004 Margaret Hassan pleading for life, asking Prime Minister Tony Blair to withdraw British forces from Iraq "and not bring them to Baghdad" because "this might be my last hour."
Scotland Today, October 23, 2004 Warning from kidnappers not to send Black Watch troops to Baghdad
BBC Timeline – many reports and videos from BBC’s coverage – October 22, 2004 Find the harrowing video where she pleading for her life, right column, Video reports. And BBC’s Poul Wood’s comment on the political message of the video
Felicity Arbuthnot, BBC October 22, 2004 Margaret Hassan: A personal tale – a friend’s very moving account of "Madam Margaret", her background and commitment to the Iraqi people
Sebastian Usher, BBC October 21, 2004 About a former Iraqi student who knew her when she was director of the British Council in the 1980s.
BBC – Iraq hostages: facts and figures Let’s not forget all the other cases before Margaret Hassan
Hindustan Times – FOX News October 23, 2004 Iraq’s Prime Minister Ayad Allawi will not meet kidnappers demand
The Malaysia Star, October 25, 2004 150 Iraqis demand the release of Margaret Hassan
The Independent, October 26, 2004 Hundreds demonstrate for release of "Mama Margaret" Hassan
Gail Walker, The Belfast telegraph, October 26, 2004 Is the life of Margaret Hassan not of equal value?
CNN, October 27, 2004 Hassan pleads for her life in a new video
You can speak out in support of Margaret Hassan here
Voice your support for Margaret Hassan – CARE International UK
Send your personal view to Prime Minister Tony Blair
Send your personal view to Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon
Send your personal view to Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Jack Straw
This is an example of what a TFF
Associate wrote to Tony Blair:
Dear Tony Blair,
I send you this urgent plea to change
the British politics and decide not to send British
troops to Baghdad and thereby save Margaret Hassan’s
life.
Although I definitely do not agree with the
actions of the abductors, I and many others would not
consider it as a victory for terrorism but as a victory
for democracy if you could and would have the courage to
show the world and your people that you are able to
correct a mistake.
This war and the ongoing occupation are the reasons for
the utterly appalling acts like the murder of Mr. Bigley
and the abduction of Ms. Hassan.
Please show them that you care for her life.
Respectfully,
Annette Schiffmann