Dear friends,

On June 2, 2014, the Jesuit Refugee Service's (JRS) Afghanistan Director, Alexis Premkumar "Prem" Antonysamy, S.J., was abducted by the Taliban during a visit to a JRS-supported school for refugees near the provincial capital city of Herat, Afghanistan. As Prem is an alumnus of the International Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance (IDHA 32) and a candidate for the Masters in International Humanitarian Action (MIHA), the news was met with particular sadness among our IIHA family and extended communities.  

Throughout the past eight months, little news emerged regarding Prem and his whereabouts, but the IIHA community remained hopeful. He was continuously remembered in our thoughts, prayers, posts, and messages. It is with great joy and relief that we now share with you news of Prem's release from captivity. This past Sunday, Prem returned home to India and was finally reunited with his family.

Despite knowing the security concerns surrounding his post in Afghanistan before he was taken, Prem remained a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable and faithfully accompanied those he worked for and alongside in service. We would now like to accompany Prem as he recovers in mind, body, and spirit through a letter writing campaign. We welcome your letters, pictures, messages, or even a brief word of encouragement for Prem.  

Please send all notes of support to iihaoutreach@fordham.edu by Friday, March 13th.

We thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers for one of our own.

In gratitude,

Brendan Cahill (IDHA 9)

Executive Director, IIHA

Fordham University 

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Articles and Videos Regarding Prem's Release:

• Words of support from IDHA 44!
• "Official Spokesperson's response to a question on release of Father Alexis Premkumar Antonysamy" (Government of India) 
• "Delhi: Father Alexis Prem Kumar who was held captive in Afghanistan for 8 months reaches Delhi airport" (ANI News) 
• "Afghanistan: Indian Jesuit released after eight months in captivity" (JRS) 
• Fr. Alexis Premkumar's Message to JRS (JRS) 
• "India Secures Release of Jesuit Priest Fr. Alexis Premkumar From Captivity in Afghanistan" (Times of India) 
• "Mr Modi called, said your brother is safe: sister of priest freed in Afghanistan" (The Indian Express) 
• "T.N. priest back after eight months in Taliban custody" (The Hindu) 
• "Jesuits: abducted Indian priest is released in Afghanistan" (The Washington Post) 
• "'God has saved me,' says Indian Jesuit after release from Afghanistan" (Catholic News Service)