This is a message to Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. Today, you have announced that you are behind the August 13 kidnapping of USAID contractor Warren Weinstein.

You make this announcement while the world is preparing to celebrate the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights next week.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), agreed to by the United Nations on December 10, 1948, was created in response to the “disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind” begins with an opening article that applies to ALL of humanity. It states “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

This includes you, me, and Warren Weinstein.

We all have the same responsibilities to human dignity and to act in a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood to all of our fellow human beings.

Your actions to kidnap USAID contractor Warren Weinstein are not only criminal actions, but they are also actions that defy the very universal rights and dignity that all human beings have.

Certainly most of the world rejects and condemns the actions of Al-Qaeda. Certainly most of the world rejects and condemns cowardly kidnapping and attacks on elderly individuals who seek to improve the lives of others, such as Mr. Weinstein.

But also the world must be consistent in extending our love and human dignity to all people. So, as with all others in the world, Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri, I urge you too to look within your heart. I urge you too, to free your heart from the burden of disrespect to others, the press of indignity towards others, and disease of hate towards others. I urge you too, to act as a decent human being and find the human decency and conscience to release Mr. Weinstein.

Al-Qaeada – Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

Jeffrey Imm
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)
https://www.realcourage.org