Islamic Society of North America Hosts Program Honoring Aid-Worker Kassig

Community members again Friday gathered to call for the safe return of Indianapolis-native and aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig who is being held in Syria by the militant group calling itself the Islamic State. 

The program followed weekly prayer at the Islamic Society of North America in Plainfield. Kassig’s parents were in attendance. His mother Paula said the family has been moved by the global outpouring of support and asked everyone to continue keeping him in their thoughts.

“I would ask everyone who hears my words or sees my words to please pray for our son each night at sunset" Kassig said. "I have faith that he will feel the strength of these prayers and receive blessings from.”

Sarah Pollum also spoke at the service—the two met at Hanover College, where Kassig attended after returning from service in Iraq in 2007. She said Kassig is an intense person, who threw everything he had into his relief work in Syria.

“He needed to stand up for something, and he has always been driven to take care of other people and to help other people," Pollum says. "He specifically chose this area, I believe, and he wanted to go into an area where he could make the most difference”

Kassig was abducted a year ago along the Syrian border and identified last week as Islamic State militant group’s next target for execution.