An influential Sunni Muslim body called Wednesday for the release of all kidnapped people in Iraq on the occasion of the Muslim feast of Adhaa (sacrifice feast).

The Association of Muslim Scholars appealed in a statement for Muslims "in all parties that have kidnapped people, to release them and end their suffering whoever they are, Iraqis or others."

The statement also called on the kidnappers to "deal with them (kidnapped people) according to the norms of our religion, and not to terrify them by threatening them with death or other means which Islam forbids."