Not a story you hear everyday.

On August 26, 2011 (during Ramadan), prominent American Muslim leaders urged Hamas to immediately release captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Their rationale: Hamas doesn't like the unjust treatment of Palestinians, so why do the same to an Israeli soldier?

They wrote: "We believe Hamas’ harsh treatment and five-year detention of Shalit is wrong. On many occasions Hamas has stated its opposition to unjust imprisonment. It has said that Israel’s detention of thousands of Palestinians, including women and children who have been held for months or years, sometimes in harsh conditions or without access to genuine due process, is unjust."

"Hamas’ inhumane detention of Shalit undermines the Palestinian people’s legitimate aspirations for human rights and a state of their own, existing in peace and security beside Israel."

The list of signatories is short but impressive. It includes both Muslim members of Congress, Keith Ellison and Andre Carson as well as senior Islamic Society of North America leader Sayyid Syeed, and a variety of prominent Muslim academics.

More info:

Text of the letter

Jewish Telegraphic Agency news report about the letter