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Good morning My message this morning should be about the most important event in the Islamic calendar – Ramadan, as 1.6 billon people around the globe begin fasting and purifying their lives from the clutter we accumulate throughout life. However I’m also thinking about those families who have experienced such dramatic changes recently that their Ramadan won’t be the same again. The stories we are hearing of the families and young children who have made their way to Syria is heartbreaking. The sight of the fathers breaking down at the news conference this week is telling of their anguish and grief. Throughout this month I, along with many others, will be fasting from food and drink, cutting out bad habits and generally trying to be a better person. Fasting by mouth and by spirit is encouraged by God who talks to believers saying “Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may learn piety and righteousness". This means challenging ourselves to a purification of mind, body and soul. Whilst this is a considerable feat, most people will make the effort to achieve this at least in part. And yet because of this weeks’ event I’m also reminded of the Quranic text that equates the taking of a life with the killing of the whole of humanity, whilst the saving of a life is as though the whole of humanity has been saved. Clearly those who make the decision to join ranks with terror groups wholly misunderstand God’s guidance on such matters. These groups are clearly beyond the pale of what any of us would consider civilised and democratic but what I struggle to come to terms with is the callous nature of the choices they make. Perhaps those people who join them seek a sense of belonging to something that excites them but the taking of children is a new and terrible phenomenon. This tiny minority will be taking part in Ramadan in a very different world this year. As the month goes on many Muslims will increase in the giving of charity, doing good deeds and especially drawing closer to themselves and to God. Lots of food is shared between neighbours and money is donated to worthwhile causes especially local and national issues. All the while Muslims are thinking about what else they can do to support and help someone in need. As we try to rise to the challenge of a physical and spiritual detox, I’ll be thinking of those families who have lost someone over the last year, hoping that we can remember the good that comes out of this season for millions rather than the bad news that has clouded the start. Ramadan kareem.