As of this writing, the third deadline set by the Taliban for the murder of 23 South Korean Christian doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals being held hostage has expired.

We pray for their immediate release.

This should be the front page story on every newspaper, on every news channel, and the lead on every blog in the nation. The Taliban are very aware of their self image and public pressure does have an affect. Just last week the Taliban and their al Qaeda allies released a propaganda video showing an attack they "called off because there were civilians in the area"-- a clear response to their normal brutality that isn't winning them much sympathy in the world.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman and my personal "pen pal" Qari Mohammad Yousif "Ahmadi" claims today that the negotiations for their release are "going well". Hopefully, this means that they will be released unharmed. Unfortunately, it may mean that ransom will be paid or that Taliban prisoners will be released--which will inevitably lead to more kidnappings.

But the best news from Ahmadi?

We hope it will be finished before 7 p.m. If not, we might give them more time."

We're grateful that Michelle Malkin has taken up the cause, and she notes the underground Christian movement in Afghanistan. Interestingly enough, just yesterday I listened to an interview by Matt Sanchez of a Christian convert in Afghanistan named "Hazrat".

UPDATE: Now they want money? I've been hearing reports of this on and off, it's difficult to say with any certainty what exactly the Taliban want. But it is always safe to say, that whatever other demands are made in public, that privately they will also ask for money.

Michelle also now has a picture up of local Afghans from a village near where the Koreans were taken hostage protesting the Taliban's actions.

Posted by: Rusty at 09:55 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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