Mr Kember had been working with a Canadian-based organisation, Christian Peacemaker Teams.

Norman Kember and Mr Fox were shown on the latest video on the 2/12/05 calling for the kidnappers' demands to be met, al-Jazeera said. A previously unknown militant group, the Swords of Truth Brigade, have claimed the captives were undercover spies working as Christian peace activists.

Professor Norman Kember has been a consistent campaigner on peace issues all his life, and he traveled to Iraq as a peace activist.  He is a long standing member of the Baptist Peace Fellowship and of College Road Baptist Church in Harrow, and our prayers are with his wife and family at this time. Norman has also been an active member of the Harrow Interfaith Council.

Bob Gardiner, Minister of Harrow Baptist Church said:

‘Much has been made since his kidnapping of his commitment to peace making. And rightly so as few people have so assiduously, committedly and imaginatively worked for peace…

When there was an earthquake in Gujerat Norman took Harrow Baptist Church’s gift along to the local Hindu temple for them to allocate as they saw fit and so show his solidarity with their community. After the tragedy of 9/11 it was Norman who drafted a statement of support which was sent to Harrow mosque. Norman has helped plan interfaith peace festivals for several years which have taken place not in only Harrow Baptist Church but in other locations in the town.

Norman is challenging, imaginative, resourceful and generous. Massively gifted he has never stinted in offering those gifts to all. He is too valuable a resource to be kept locked up - the world needs him to be free’

Harrow Baptist Church would ask that people would uphold Norman and his family in prayer at this difficult time