Peter Kassig (26) was a man known for his relentless commitment to improving the lives of other people, determined to provide as much care to the afflicted as possible — a not so surprising future for a man with a pastor grandfather who used the pulpit to promote a better understanding of the Middle East and parents committed to the education and health of their community.
Mr. Kassig, who changed his name to Abdul-Rahman Kassig upon converting to Islam in captivity, enlisted in the army after graduating from high school in 2006.
According to his military records, Mr. Kassig was honourably discharged for medical reasons after being deployed in Iraq for four months.
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From 2011 to 2013, he attended Butler University, in his native Indianapolis, Indiana. While at Butler, Mr. Kassig visited Beirut where he was “consumed” by the Syrian conflict and the immense humanitarian crisis it bred.
Having already provided medical care to refugees in Lebanon, at 24, Kassig found the humanitarian group SERA (Special Emergency Response and Assistance). The small operation provides medical training, supplies and treatment in areas too difficult for other humanitarian organisations to effectively operate, including parts of Syria, Lebanon and Turkey.
Peter Kassig’s family said that he was captured on 1 October 2013 while travelling to Deir Ezzour in eastern Syria on an aid mission for SERA.
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In a letter to his family written while in captivity, he had said, “If I do die, I figure that at least you and I can seek refuge and comfort in knowing that I went out as a result of trying to alleviate suffering and helping those in need.” — © Guardian Newspapers Limited, 2014