British born Norman Kember, two unnamed Canadians, and an undisclosed American have been taken hostage in Iraq. They were part of a Christian peace mission to Iraq. If they have been taken hostage by a Salaafist organization (such as al Qaeda or Ansar al Sunna) with a Shura council they will certainly be put to death. The penalty for proselyzing under Islamic law is death.

More information on Norman Kember and the other hostages here.