Tokyo Muslims pray for Japanese hostages

Saturday, 24 January 2015 03:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: As the fate of two Japanese hostages being held by Islamic State under a deadline and ransom remains uncertain, Tokyo’s muslim population gathered to pray for the fate of the hostages. In an online video released on Tuesday (20 January), a black-clad figure holding a knife stood between journalist Kenji Goto and troubled loner

Haruna Yukawa, threatening to kill them if Tokyo did not pay Islamic State $200 million within 72 hours. During Friday (23 January) prayers, the Imam of the Tokyo Camii mosque Muhammad Rashid Alas called for the hostages release. “We pray that two Japanese citizens to be released from the terrorist group,” he said during after message he delivered on the immorality of killing. Others who attended such as Serdar Basara who owns Japan Islamic Finance in Tokyo said that he did worry about possible blowback if the hostages were executed. “I’ve been in Japan for 15 years almost but after 9/11 there has been direct connection about reactions. So if, I wish nothing happens but if something happens then there is a possibility that people feel different things,” Basara said. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said saving the men’s lives is paramount but that Japan will not bow to terrorism.