MILITANT terrorists have been told to “show mercy” and release the Bolton convoy aid worker they are threatening to behead.

Bolton South East MP Yasmin Qureshi is one of more than 100 British Muslims to have issued pleas to Islamic State fighters holding Alan Henning hostage.

As reported exclusively in The Bolton News, Mr Henning, aged 47, is understood to have been captured on Boxing Day last year, just half an hour after arriving in Syria as part of an aid convoy.

The threats to his life were made at the end of a video released on Saturday night, in which fellow aid worker David Haines was barbarically executed.

Mr Henning appeared at the end, kneeling in the sand and wearing an orange jumpsuit.

The former taxi driver left Great Lever in an aid convoy with eight others last December, leaving behind his wife and two children.

Ms Qureshi, one of the Muslims to have signed a letter published in The Independent, said Alan Henning is a “genuine person who has gone to help people” and implorted the jihadists to let him go.

She also accused Islamic State of dressing up their behaviour in the name of Islam.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has told The Bolton News that the government is doing all it can in this “horrendous” situation and said he is praying for his safe return.

Bolton Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris urged Islamic State to remember that Mr Henning was only in Syria to help “some of the world’s most disadvantaged people”.

Ms Qureshi said: “It is a very emotional situation.

“Obviously IS should not be doing this under any circumstances.

“But an important message to stress is that this is an aid worker who has gone to out to help the people IS say they are trying to help.

“Alan is not a spy or undercover agent, he is a genuine person who has gone to help people.”

More than 100 Muslim leaders have signed a statement to IS pleading for his release and criticising them as "monsters" for the brutal murder of Mr Haines.

They said in a letter: "We, the undersigned British Muslim Imams, organisations and individuals, wish to express our horror and revulsion at the senseless murder of David Haines and the threat to the life of our fellow British citizen, Alan Henning."

Ms Qureshi added: "Please show mercy and release him.

"I really do not know what Islam they are referring to.

"I can't find any justification for anything they are doing.

"They are dressing this up in the name of Islam."

Mr Grayling said: “The government is doing everything we can in this horrendous situation, our hearts all go out to Mr Henning’s family and friends.

“I think everyone should be reassured that the government, the Foreign Office, the security service, the armed forces and the community are going to do everything possible to ensure he is safely returned.

“We just hope and pray that he is.”

Cllr Morris said: “First of all we are thinking of Mr Henning’s family.

“I hope that these people remember what work he was doing there.

“He went there to help some of the most disadvantaged people in the world at the moment.

“We hope they will consider that and free him so he can get back to his family.

“He really should be released — there is no need to keep him captive.”

Chan Parmer, chair of Bolton Interfaith Council, said: “We simply hope that the people holding him show some compassion and allow Mr Henning to come home.

“It is absolutely inhumane what IS is doing.

“It is despicable and there is no room for anything like it in any part of the world.”

Bishop of Bolton Chris Edmondson said: “Like everybody across the nation, we are appalled at the situation that Alan Henning finds himself in and we are deeply concerned for his family.

“We are pleased our friends and colleagues in the Muslim community have spoken so strongly out of their own faith about this being wrong.”

Sabir Khan, chairman of Bolton Council of Mosques (BCoM), said: “We unreservedly condemn the murder of David Haines a few weeks ago and this latest kidnapping.

“We hope and pray for the safe release and return of Alan Henning, unharmed, at the earliest possible opportunity in order that he is reunited with his friends and family.

"All our thoughts and prayers are with Alan and his family at this very difficult time. 

"These extremists in Iraq and Syria claim to be acting in the name of Islam.

"However, there is absolutely no base for such acts in our faith. Muslims in Britain and around the world have condemned these people, and the arguments they use have been refuted comprehensively as being far from the teachings of Islam.

“At such testing times, it is important that we in Bolton and around the country stand firm in solidarity against such acts.” 

The group of Muslim leaders added that those holding Mr Henning hostage must accept that what they are doing is against the Koran and "constitutes the worst condemnable sin".

Mr Henning is shown in a video ahead of his trip to Syria saying the dangerous journey is "worthwhile" to help those in need.

He said: "It's all worthwhile when you see what is needed actually get to where it needs to go. That makes it all worthwhile."

A vigil for Mr Henning was held in Swinton on September 16, while a second one is taking place at St Matthew’s Church in Little Lever tonight.