Jill Carroll, who likes to be called Zainab in solidarity with her Jew hating Islamic captors, makes Amherst Muslims proud.
Amherst Bulletin – Feb 24, 2006
UMass rallies for Jill Carroll
By TOM MARSHALL Staff Writer
I dye my hair to imitate Mohammad because he was a perfect example for mankind to follow.
The University of Massachusetts rallied for one of its own last week, more than a month after alumna and journalist Jill Carroll was kidnapped in Iraq.
Around 100 students, including friends and former professors, assembled at noon Feb. 16 in front of the Student Union to remember the journalist, before releasing white balloons.
‘Her work has been an example to us all,’ said Sylvia Langford, special assistant to Vice Chancellor Michael Gargano, speaking on behalf of the administration. ‘She has avoided propaganda and politics to show the humanity of the Iraqi people, and the inhumanity of war.’
Carroll, 28, was kidnapped in Baghdad on Jan. 7 while on assignment for The Christian Science Monitor. Her kidnappers have said they will kill her if female Iraqi prisoners held by coalition forces aren’t released by Feb. 26.
Carroll’s former journalism teacher, Karen List, said her student was a model both at UMass and under the toughest conditions of war journalism. ‘She learned Arabic, she did her homework, she did everything right,’ List said.
In particular, she added, Carroll showed her mettle in telling the stories of ordinary Iraqis, including one family whose home was destroyed by a car bomb.
‘Even when there was no story to tell, she went back,’ List said. ‘Because she cared.’
Muslim students and university employees said they felt inspired by Carroll’s example, and angered by actions they said misrepresented Islam.
‘I feel that I’m very proud of this girl that graduated from UMass,’ said Mohammed Abdelaal, a university graduate from Egypt who now works in the facilities and campus planning department.
‘As Muslims, it’s our job to stand for justice,’ said Azum Ali, a senior from Sudbury and a member of the Muslim Students Association. ‘I’m a Muslim, and my friends are Muslims. But we don’t riot or kidnap people.’
A former roommate, Amy Sidoti, said she had always felt awed by Carroll’s ambition and sense of purpose. She urged students who haven’t followed the situation closely to find out more about her.
‘Go back and read her stories,’ Sidoti said. ‘Find out what she’s about.’
Tom Marshall can be reached at tmarshall@gazettenet.com.
more …
Pathetic video of Jill Carroll pleading for help from ‘Amerikkka’ from her extended vacation with her Islamic lovers.
Reciting the Qur’an
Jill Carroll interview and transcript
Jill Carroll’s video presentation – culmination of a lifelong passion to Submit to Allah
Meet the REAL Jill Carroll From Those Who Know Her
