The self-proclaimed Islamic State released a video early Sunday morning that shows the aftermath of the beheading of Indianapolis native Peter Kassig, who was captured last October while he was working to provide aid to Syrians.
NPR reports that White House officials confirmed the video is authentic Sunday afternoon:
The 16-minute video "bears the Islamic State's hallmarks of slick footage and horrible violence," reports NPR's Alice Fordham.
"It differs from previous filmed deaths of American hostages," Fordham says. "It also features gruesome beheadings of Syrian soldiers, a history of the group and the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and a meditation on the nature of Baghdad as a Sunni city."
Kassig's parents, Ed and Paula Kassig, released this statement Sunday afternoon:
"We are heartbroken to learn that our son, Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig, has lost his life as a result of his love for the Syrian people and his desire to ease their suffering. Our heart also goes out to the families of the Syrians who lost their lives, along with our son.
Fed by a strong desire to use his life to save the lives of others, Abdul-Rahman was drawn to the camps that are filled with displaced families and to understaffed hospitals inside Syria. We know he found his home amongst the Syrian people, and he hurt when they were hurting.
As he wrote in March 2012, in a letter announcing he was taking a leave of absence from Butler University to serve the Syrian people:
‘Here, in this land, I have found my calling. … I do not know much. Every day that I am here I have more questions and less answers, but what I do know is that I have a chance to do something here, to take a stand. To make a difference.'
We are incredibly proud of our son for living his life according to his humanitarian calling. We will work every day to keep his legacy alive as best we can.
We remain heartbroken, also, for the families of the other captives who did not make it home safely. The families of James Foley, Steven Sotloff, David Haines, and Alan Henning remain in our daily thoughts and prayers, and we pray for the safe return of all remaining captives held by all sides of the Syrian civil war.
We remain eternally grateful for the many, many words of support and prayers from all over the world on our son's behalf. We ask people to continue to pray for the safe return of all captives being held unjustly and all people being oppressed around the world, and especially for the people of Syria, a land our son loved."
The family is asking people to make contributions to the Syrian American Medical Society in honor of their son instead of sending flowers.
The video featuring Abdul-Rahman differs from previous execution videos of Western hostages. The New York Times reports this dramatic change is significant to those studying ISIL, and explains the differences in previous videos and the one released Sunday.
The video...was significantly different from the execution videos of four other Western hostages, whose televised deaths were carefully choreographed.
Those videos were shot with several cameras from different vantage points to give the appearance of a professional production. By contrast, the footage of Mr. Kassig's death is shot with a single camera and appears amateurish, with the harsh lighting obscuring the executioners' visage.
While in the earlier videos the hostages are seen kneeling in orange jumpsuits and are forced to make speeches before the executioner lifts the knife to their throats, in the one released Sunday, the moments leading up to Mr. Kassig's death are not shown. The change in format - combined with the lower production quality of the clip - may suggest that the Islamic State is on the run and unable to pull off the same cinematic production as before.
The Pleas of Kassig's Parents
Kassig's parents kept silent about their son's capture for more than a year because of threats from ISIS, but after he was seen at the end of a video showing the beheading of British aid worker Alan Henning, they spoke out.
"We implore those who are holding you to show mercy and use their power to let you go," Paula Kassig said in a video released last month.
Supporters of Abdul-Rahman Kassig made similar pleas for mercy during an on-campus prayer service for the former Butler University student Oct. 8.
"We call upon his captors, follow the religion that you claim to hold so dear, and have mercy on Abdul-Rahman," said Hazem Bata, executive director of the Islamic Society of North America. "And, be warned. Because, God also says he who kills a soul unjustly will be as if he killed all human kind."
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Paula Kassig also tried desperately to get in contact with her son's captors using social media. She tweeted messages addressed to members of ISIS several times, hoping to talk to them about her son's release.
During an interview with CBS This Morning, Paula said she feared their pleas were falling on deaf ears.
"But I have to try," she said. "Because, I need to know that I've done everything I can do."
Abdul-Rahman's Work In Syria
Abdul-Rahman Kassig spent a brief time as a U.S. Army ranger, but he felt called to instead serve as a peacemaker.
He was attending Butler University in 2012 when he traveled to Lebanon during spring break and fell in love with the region.
In a March 2012 letter to family and friends, he explained his decision to stay in the Middle East and help those who were suffering.
"There is too much work to be done here," he wrote. "Too many people in need of immediate help. I know what it is that I lose by staying, but those who can understand what is to be gained by staying require no further explanation, and those that don't … no amount of explanation would ever be enough."
The 26-year-old started his own humanitarian aid organization in the region called SERA, which provided food, medical supplies and trauma training to refugees. He worked tirelessly to help those who were struggling.
At that time, Abdul-Rahman was known as Peter Kassig. His parents said their son changed his name after voluntarily converting to Islam while in captivity. But, friends told them his journey toward Islam began long before he was taken hostage.
While working with refugees, he was surrounded by Syrian Muslims. Ed and Paula Kassig said their son grew to admire and respect them.
Abdul-Rahman Kassig observed the month-long Ramadan fast with his co-workers in June 2013.
The Kassigs received a letter their son wrote while in captivity in June 2014, where he described his situation as "dogmatically complicated." But, he said he was at peace with his belief.
He also wrote about the possibility of dying.
"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. 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."
Politicians Lash Out Against ISIL
Sen. Dan Coats released a statement Sunday afternoon calling Abdul-Rahman's death a senseless tragedy:
"Today, all Hoosiers are appalled by the tragic murder of Peter Kassig, and we mourn with his family and loved ones. Peter heroically served his country in uniform, and we celebrate this Hoosier's life of sacrifice and benevolent service to others. It is truly a tragedy that a man who sought to help those in need had his life cut short by savage barbarians who terrorize the innocent.
The unspeakable depravities ISIS continues to commit are a blatant distortion of the Muslim faith and a cancer on the civilized world. Defeating this so-called caliphate will be a long and protracted effort that requires a resolute commitment from the United States. We must not let this momentary triumph of evil ultimately prevail."
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British Prime Minister David Cameron also tweeted in response to the video, condemning the group's actions:
Governor Mike Pence ordered a period of mourning beginning sunrise Monday and for all state buildings to lower flags. He issued the following statement Sunday afternoon:
Abdul-Rahman Kassig was one of us and he was the best of us. He was a lifelong Hoosier who was admired by all as a loving son, a dedicated student, an Army Ranger, and a compassionate humanitarian who risked his life to render medical aid to refugees in Syria and Lebanon. Karen and I offer our deepest condolences and prayers for this courageous young man, his loving family and friends during this time of heartbreak and loss. Indiana will never forget the service, compassion and sacrifice of Abdul-Rahman (Peter) Kassig."
