UK Muslims appeal to IS seeking release of British hostage

Over 100 Muslim clerics, groups and individuals in the UK have made a united appeal to the Islamic State terror group to show mercy and release a British hostage under their captivity.    

In a letter published in 'The Independent' newspaper, they have called on the extremists to show mercy to the 47-year-old aid worker Alan Henning from Salford in England.

The letter cites verses from the Quran against killing, and appeals to the kidnappers to release Henning immediately.

"British Muslim communities have done a great deal to speak out over the evils of terrorism over many years. We will continue to do everything within our power to prevent any other young man or woman getting caught up in this poisonous ideology," the letter reads.

More than 100 British Muslim imams, organisations and individuals have added their name to the open letter to express their "horror and revulsion" at the "senseless murder" of Briton David Haines and the threat to the life of Henning.

Dr Shuja Shafi of the Muslim Council of Britain, one of the signatories, said: "Such a man should be celebrated, not incarcerated. Taking such people hostage, and murdering them, are against the principles laid out in the Quran and our Prophetic traditions."

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, England, and the UK Arab Society.

It is believed he was abducted by the Islamic State in Al Dana, a town 38km from Aleppo.

Reports suggest he was separated from Muslim counterparts by masked men. Friends who travelled with him said they made desperate attempts to get him freed before returning to the UK.

Video footage of Henning, filmed before he was captured in Syria, has shown him describing his trips to the country.

He said: "It's all worthwhile when you see what is needed, as you get where it needs to go. That makes it all worthwhile."

Henning had appeared at the end of the video released on Saturday in which Haines was beheaded by IS.

Image: Aid worker Alan Henning