In the Name of Allah the All-Forgiving and Compassionate

As we come to this Ramadan advent the Faithful are reminded of their connections to one another. We are reminded that even though we are of different cultures and lands we are united by our Faith. We are reminded of our brotherhood and sisterhood as Muslims from all walks of life. So, in this time where a spirit of unity fills the air let us make every effort to ensure that that spirit of unity reminas throughout the year because it is this spirit of unity, that really comes from Allah, that the world and our lives will change for the better.

For many, Ramadan is a time of introspection and reflection. It is a time for new beginnings and a time for strengthening our faith. During this time of looking within, let each of us weed out that which is within us that is undesirable and replace it with something that is more pleasing to Allah. Let us do this to make ourselves better people and so that we might become more pleasing to our Creator, Allah. And let us reflect during this time of Ramadan as well. Let us reflect on what we can do to improve the world and the lives of all people. And, thus, let us make a new beginning by choosing peace, tolerance, and compassion rather than war, intolerance, and hatred. As we ponder strengthening our faith let us work to be better Muslims in every way. Let us focus more and more of our thoughts on Allah in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and the Holy Qur'an. Let us read the Holy Qur'an daily and pray harder and let us take the example of the Prophet (pbuh) as our own personal example for he was a man of great compassion and caring just as each of us should be.

Many of us work for peace and it is now time that we work even harder for peace. Today the world is out of control and is filled with everything but peace. One of the reasons for this is man's growing greed and selfishness. And this greed and selfishness is only growing and it is causing more and more problems. It will continue to do so until we all learn not to be selfish or greedy and we MUST learn that.

One of the biggest reasons for most of the problems we see in the world today is that a lot of people have turned away from God. Greed and selfishness have become their idols. Money has become their overlord. They have sold their souls for a paltry price! It doesn't matter who proposes what solution to the world's problems. All solutions are worthless because the only solution that is really going to change the world and make it better is man and woman turning BACK to God. Peace will not be achieved fully until this happens! We work for peace but we must also work for getting people to turn back to God and away from their false "gods" of ego, selfishness, greed, and money.

So, during this time of Ramadan let us not only work more for peace but also let us work more for Allah! Let us spread the message of true Islam to all who will listen. Let us as faithful and true Muslims provide and even greater personal example of Islam through our own peaceful and compassionate behavior and words. For, there is no better teacher than that of personal example.

It is my hope that this Ramadan will be the best for each of you and your families. And it is sincerely my hope that you will take time to reflect and look within. That you will begin anew by growing your faith in God and that you will work even more to become the kind of person that Allah wishes all of us to become. Persons of peace, tolerance, intelligence, understanding, compassion, and mercy.

May the blessing of Allah who is All-Wise and All-Forgiving be upon all of you and may this Ramadan truly be a time of building greater faith and blessing for you.

Sa'laam

His Serene Highness Abbas Khan I,

Sultan of Azuristan