More than two million Muslims are on their way to for the annual hajj pilgrimage. Hajj is one of the pillars of the Islamic faith and an obligation for every Muslim who can physically and financially afford it.

As citizens of this blessed and beautiful land, Americans are called to save our country and the rest of our human family from a possible "World War III." The declaration last Thursday by the Bush administration of the harshest sanctions against since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and calling "the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism" foreshadows a new tragedy in the .

Summer vacation is a time for barbecues, sleeping in and fun, but it's also an opportunity to reorganize our priorities. To "kill time" in boredom is a bad habit and a regrettable waste of this precious divine gift.

"The faithful are indeed brothers. Therefore make peace between your brothers."-- Quran 49:10

There is no basis for Shiite and Sunni animosity anywhere, certainly not in the Quran. While each school of thought in Islam has its special qualities and reflects cultural diversity, Shiites and Sunnis have a common belief system.