Support rally in Firdus Square, Baghdad

Hundreds of women and children rallied this morning in Firdus Square, outside the Palastine hotel in central Baghdad, calling for the release of the two Simonas, Ra'ad and Mahnoaz.

"No to violence and the executions and kidnappings of foreigners", read one banner, "Let us live in peace and friendship," read another. Leading the procession were around 50 disabled people in wheelchairs and children holding flowers. "Hostage-taking contradicts the values of Islam, which opposes any aggression against women, children or innocents," said Basel Abdelwahab al-Azzawi, representing an umbrella group of civil rights organisations.