The reality of the chaos and confusion which greets the Muslims at the beginning and end of every Ramadan is well known. This is hardly appropriate given the blessed nature of the month of Ramadan, a month we should greet and end with unity, knowledge, and confidence, not confusion and ignorance.

Sydney, Australia, 14^th July 2008 - On the occasion of World Youth Day 2008, as thousands of Catholics gather in Sydney, we take this opportunity to extend an open and sincere call to Islam.

The war of The West against Islam assumes different guises and includes various spheres, which are all summed up in the undertaking of whatever distances Islam from the reality of life. The campaign was not limited to distorting its image, destroying its Khilafah, disparaging its rules and depicting Islam as something from the past. Rather, the campaign targets anything that can bring it back to the leadership of the world. They constantly fear Islam. That is why their plotting never ceases, lest the carpet be pulled from under their feet, and if the Muslims came back to their glory.

Say, "O people of the Scripture, come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: "Bear witness that we submit (to God) as Muslims." (Aal-Imran: 64)

One Ross Fitzgerald wrote “[I]n the 21st century one disturbing trend is an exponential increase, among teenagers in Australia, in out-of-control drinking, and especially of binge drinking in teenage girls.” (2006)

Debate over alcohol and its related problem in Australia has ensued for a good number of years now. Yet, come the jolly seasons of Christmas, New Year, Easter or what have you, the lack of spirituality in the West is ‘toasted’ to with the best of wines and alcoholic beverages one could lay their hands on. Even chocolates are laced with the deadly poison that alcohol is. Booze oozes all throughout these ‘festive seasons’ and unrestricted to such events, we find alcohol taking centre stage in almost any event in Western societies; be they sporting or even charity events sponsored by alcohol producing companies, school break-up parties or work functions.