However, one is saddened to see that in today's modern dynamic world when all the comforts of life are available many people view this month of Ramadan as one of sleep, laziness and, therefore, of less productivity.

For example, you go to an office and ask for someone and you are told to approach them later - maybe after prayers or next day. At times if one loses his temper and you try to pacify him you are told he is edgy because he is fasting. One notices that a lot of our shortcomings are attributed to fasting.

A friend of mine who lives near a mosque saw a man parking his car right in front of the gate blocking the entrance. "Why don't you park a little bit ahead instead of obstructing my path?" - he asked. "Don't you know it's Ramadan?", snapped the man who was going for the afternoon prayers. The man did not want to park his car in the car park about eight meters away from the mosque!

We should remember that fasting itself is an exercise in discipline. It is a total act of worship. You cannot fast and at the same time trouble other people. This is what people should realize. Employees working in offices that deal with the public should realize that this is not a month to delay other peoples' interests.

The student should realize or be told by his parent that this is a great month to read about religion and to understand it and not to spend the day sleeping, sitting idle and the night just watching television, strolling in shopping malls or driving aimlessly in city roads.

I think it is high time that the media, parents, the family and sociologists bring forward points that Ramadan is a month of worship and active work and that by adjusting our life styles in the proper way we can do both and also be more productive.

The turning away from Islamic precepts and teachings has ushered in a host of problems. 

Indeed the month of Ramadan should be used to reflect and contemplate by all to determine whether the Muslims are really on the true path. An honest answer will clearly reveal how far we are from the teachings of Islam. 

We have become quick to blame others for our ills. However, if you look at Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and several other Muslim countries, it becomes difficult to point a finger at outside forces. These problems are from within. To overcome them, there should be a deep soul searching by those concerned. They should ask themselves how much have they contributed to the mess their societies are in.

Many believe that in the conspiracy theory. That is, that many are out to get us. While not totally rejecting this theory, Muslims should be bold enough to admit that many of their problems are created by themselves.

To admit this itself would be the first step toward solving the numerous problems facing the Muslim Ummah. We, as Muslims, are obliged to follow the teachings of the Holy Qur'an and the life of Prophet Muhammad . I believe that the only solution to overcome our present difficulties is to read, understand and follow the teachings of Qur'an in its right perspective.

Let us pray that, in this holy month of Ramadan, a sincere effort be made by all Muslims to come closer to Almighty Allah through fasting, prayers, Zakat and charity. And, through hard work, let us make this a better world for us and our children. 

And while doing our duty by our fellow man, our families, children and community, let us pray, as Abraham and Ismail did, while raising the foundation of the House (Holy Ka'aba): "Our Lord, accept from us, for Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing; Our Lord, make us Muslims, bowing to Thy Will."