Caller Shares Details of ISIS Kidnapping of Family Members on Immaculate Heart Radio
Including Phone Call Answered by Member of ISIS; U.S. Citizen & Children Among Those Being Held
LOOMIS, Calif., March 6, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Listeners to Immaculate Heart Radio's The Patrick Madrid Show heard first hand details of the latest ISIS abduction of Assyrian Christians Feb. 26th, when an Arizona listener, of Assyrian descent, and a direct relative of four abducted Assyrian Christians, called the show. The caller, who is a protected source of Immaculate Heart Radio, shared details of the kidnapping of four family members who are among the estimated 220 Assyrian Christians taken hostage by Islamic radicals in Syria this week.
The family members include the source's cousin and his wife, their 12 year-old son, 9 year-old daughter, and grandfather, a U.S. citizen who has been in Syria for two years helping the family with immigration. The source said the abduction took place in the early morning hours Wednesday, Feb. 25th, when the family was awakened by shouts from ISIS soldiers dressed in black, brandishing guns. When other concerned family members tried to call the cellphones of the abducted family members, the calls were answered by ISIS members who told them, "Don't even try to call this number." [Other reports have stated that ISIS members have answered cell phones of their captives to tell callers they will send the head of their relative.]
"What saddens me most," said the source, "is that I don't see anyone else standing up for Christians in the Middle East. Where are the good Samaritans?"
The unplanned call was a surprise to Madrid, host of the live show heard weekdays from 6 a.m. - 9 a.m. (Pacific) on Immaculate Heart Radio which broadcasts throughout the Western United States on 33 stations with an estimated footprint of 50 million people. Madrid handled it with his usual aplomb and grace, extending sincere concern and promising prayers for the family. He also brought attention to Pope Francis' support for Christians in Iraq and Syria and his statements that violence against these minorities must be condemned.
"America is desensitized to the trauma in the world," said Madrid. "Part of finding a voice to combat evil involves identifying the real problems that exist. We have to name problems before we can make them go away. People have to take that roll. When we can name it, we can shame it."
The call lasted 45 minutes and included questions to the source from other callers. Full audio of the show can be heard at www.ihradio.com.
SOURCE Immaculate Heart Radio
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