Peter Kassig, an American being held by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), admitted to his parents that he’s “pretty scared to die” at the hands of his terrorist captors.
Kassig’s parents, Paula and Ed, released a statement Sunday that revealed excerpts from a letter they received from their son in early June, according to NBC News . In the letter, Peter—a former Army Ranger who was serving as an aid worker when he was captured in October 2013—admits to fearing for his life and struggling with keeping the faith that he will be released alive.
“I am obviously pretty scared to die but the hardest part is not knowing, wondering, hoping, and wondering if I should even hope at all.”
Last year, the 26-year-old Peter, an Indianapolis native, changed his name to Abdul-Rahman Kassig after converting to Islam. His conversion is part of the reason his parents made some of his writings public. Ed and Paula said their son’s “spiritual journey” to Islam began when he was working as a medic in Lebanon.
“We feel a need to more fully tell that story to the world,” Kassig’s parents said.
Kassig also wrote the following to his parents.
“I am very sad that all this has happened and for what all of you back home are going through. If I do die, I figure that at least you and I can seek refuge and comfort in knowing that I went out as a result of trying to alleviate suffering and helping those in need.”
In addition, Ed and Paula Kassig also released a three-minute video in which they beg ISIS to free Peter. His father’s plea included a declaration of helplessness when it comes to stopping U.S. aggression in the Middle East.
“There is so much beyond our control…We’ve asked our government to change its actions. But, like our son, we have no more control over the U.S. government than you have over the breaking of dawn.”
So far, ISIS has beheaded two other Americans this year—journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff. They have also executed British aid worker David Haines . In the Haines execution video, a masked terrorist claimed that Peter Kassig would be their next victim if America doesn’t cease its bombardment targeting the Islamic State.
What do you think the U.S. should do to help liberate ISIS hostages such as Peter Kassig? Do you agree with America’s military involvement in the Middle East?
[Image via Huffington Post]