This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6582485.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Multi-faith appeal for Johnston Multi-faith appeal for Johnston
(about 1 hour later)
A multi-faith service is being held to call for the safe return of BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston.A multi-faith service is being held to call for the safe return of BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston.
People from different religious communities have gathered for the vigil at St Martin in the Fields, one of London's best known churches. People from different religious communities gathered for the vigil at St Martin in the Fields, London.
Later, London Mayor Ken Livingstone will make a public appeal for information on Arab TV. BBC deputy director general Mark Byford told the congregation that Mr Johnston was a "remarkable and courageous" journalist who was "driven by truth".
Mr Johnston, 44, has not been seen since he was seized at gunpoint on his way home in Gaza City on 12 March. The 44-year-old reporter has not been seen since he was seized at gunpoint on his way home in Gaza City on 12 March.
Mr Byford added: "No-one is braver or has faced more hardship than Alan Johnston."
Later on Monday, London Mayor Ken Livingstone will make a public appeal for information on Arab TV.
National interestNational interest
The service is taking place in the church in central London and afterwards the congregation had planned to gather in Trafalgar Square to observe a silence. The service is taking place in the church in central London to be followed by a silence on the church portico.
Instead, because of poor weather, the silence will be held on the church portico. Leading the service, Reverend Nicholas Holtam said: "We unite in our shared belief under God that the kidnap of Alan Johnston is wrong. We come to pray and hope and light a candle for his safe release."
Imam Dr Abdul-Jalil Sajid, who is taking part in the service, said: "We need to show our solidarity together, as a multi-faith... to hope that the kidnappers - maybe Christian, maybe Muslim, maybe anybody else - listen to us and release Alan very soon." Imam Dr Abdul-Jalil Sajid said: "We need to show our solidarity together, as a multi-faith... to hope that the kidnappers - maybe Christian, maybe Muslim, maybe anybody else - listen to us and release Alan very soon."
Rabbi Mark Winer, of the West London synagogue, who is also attending, said the kidnap of any journalist was a matter that transcended politics. Rabbi Mark Winer, of the West London synagogue, also said the kidnap of any journalist was a matter that transcended politics.
"People of every religion, race and background in the United Kingdom are concerned about his welfare and insist that regardless of their political motives, that the kidnapping of journalists is something that is utterly unacceptable in any part of our world.""People of every religion, race and background in the United Kingdom are concerned about his welfare and insist that regardless of their political motives, that the kidnapping of journalists is something that is utterly unacceptable in any part of our world."
We need to show our solidarity together Imam Dr Abdul-Jalil SajidWe need to show our solidarity together Imam Dr Abdul-Jalil Sajid
BBC world news editor Jon Williams said he hoped the service would send an important message to Mr Johnston's captors.BBC world news editor Jon Williams said he hoped the service would send an important message to Mr Johnston's captors.
"More than anything else, we want the message to go out that Alan's abduction is not only abhorred by those who follow Christian tradition, it is also abhorred by Muslims across the world and people of the Jewish faith, and indeed people of no faith."More than anything else, we want the message to go out that Alan's abduction is not only abhorred by those who follow Christian tradition, it is also abhorred by Muslims across the world and people of the Jewish faith, and indeed people of no faith.
"And by joining together in London, we hope that message will go out loud and clear that we want him returned safe and well, as quickly as possible.""And by joining together in London, we hope that message will go out loud and clear that we want him returned safe and well, as quickly as possible."
Mr Livingstone will appeal for information during a live broadcast on Arab station Al Hiwar TV.Mr Livingstone will appeal for information during a live broadcast on Arab station Al Hiwar TV.
Immediate release appeal
The station said the broadcast would also include words from a number of British MPs, political and religious leaders from the Arab and Muslim worlds and leaders of the Muslim community in Britain.The station said the broadcast would also include words from a number of British MPs, political and religious leaders from the Arab and Muslim worlds and leaders of the Muslim community in Britain.
Meanwhile, local journalists and foreign correspondents in Islamabad, Pakistan, have held a vigil for Mr Johnston.
Among them were several former colleagues who worked with him when he served as the BBC's Kabul reporter in 1997 and 1998.
Immediate release
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has insisted Mr Johnston is alive.Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has insisted Mr Johnston is alive.
And Hamas political leader Khaled Mishal has appealed for the immediate release of Mr Johnston. And Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal has appealed for the immediate release of Mr Johnston.
Speaking in Damascus, Mr Mishal said the kidnappers were harming the national interest of the Palestinian people. Speaking in Damascus, Mr Meshaal said the kidnappers were harming the national interest of the Palestinian people.
An unknown militant group said a week ago that it had killed the correspondent, who has been working in the Gaza Strip for the past three years, but the BBC and Palestinian officials have said they have been unable to verify the claim.An unknown militant group said a week ago that it had killed the correspondent, who has been working in the Gaza Strip for the past three years, but the BBC and Palestinian officials have said they have been unable to verify the claim.