The parents of Indianapolis-native Abdul-Rahman Kassig, formerly Peter Kassig, who's being held captive by the so-called Islamic State, continue to call for his release. Kassig's parents Ed and Paula made their plea Monday morning on national television.
The Kassigs appeared on NBC's TODAY Show and CBS This Morning. In the interview with CBS's Margaret Brennan, Ed Kassig recounted how he learned his son had been abducted through a phone call the day it happened.
"And, it was Peter's number, and I thought, ‘Oh man, I get to hear from Peter.' And, when I picked up the phone, I didn't recognize the voice, and the individual introduced himself. And, we learned he had been detained. That was October 1, 2013," Ed said.
The Kassigs say Abdul-Rahman's captors demanded they remain silent about their son's captivity, forcing them to lie to friends and family for over a year. That was until militants revealed Kassig as their next target for beheading in the execution video of British aid worker Alan Henning.
Brennan asked if the so-called Islamic State militants had asked the Kassigs for anything in exchange for their son's release.
"No, they demand," Ed said. "They simply demand."
"And, their demands have always been ones that we cannot accommodate," Paula said.
The Kassigs told CBS they received an audio recording from their son two weeks ago, the first time they heard his voice in more than a year. It said his life would be in jeopardy if U.S. airstrikes didn't stop.
The Kassigs have repeatedly asked their son's captors to show mercy and release him. But, Paula said she worries their pleas are being ignored.
"But I have to try," she told CBS. "Because, I need to know that I've done everything I can do."
The Kassigs said they hope their message reaches their son either directly or indirectly.
They also released additional portions of a letter their son wrote to them while in captivity:
It is still really hard to believe all of this is really happening… as I am sure you know by now, things have been getting pretty intense. We have been held together, us foreigners … and now about half the people have gone home. … I hope that this all has a happy ending but it may very well be coming down to the wire here, and if in fact that is the case then I figured it was time to say a few things that need saying before I have to go.
The first thing I want to say is thank you. Both to you and mom for everything you have both done for me as parents; for everything you have taught me, shown me, and experienced with me. I cannot imagine the strength and commitment it has taken to raise a son like me but your love and patience are things I am so deeply grateful for.
Secondly, I want you to know about things here and what I've been through straight from me so you don't have to wonder, guess, or imagine (often this is worse than the reality). All in all I am alright. Physically I am pretty underweight but I'm not starved, & I have no physical injuries, I'm a tough kid and still young so that helps.
Mentally I am pretty sure this is the hardest thing a man can go through, the stress and fear are incredible but I am coping as best I can. I am not alone. I have friends, we laugh, we play chess, we play trivia to stay sharp, and we share stories and dreams of home and loved ones. I can be hard to deal with, you know me. My mind is quick and my patience thinner than most. But all in all I am holding my own. I cried a lot in the first few months but a little less now. I worry a lot about you and mom and my friends.
They tell us you have abandoned us and/or don't care but of course we know you are doing everything you can and more. Don't worry Dad, if I do go down, I won't go thinking anything but what I know to be true. That you and mom love me more than the moon & the stars.
