The Federation of Australian Muslim Students and Youth (FAMSY) held its 21st Annual Conference in Sydney from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 July 2003. The Conference with its theme of "Muslims Under Siege," started with a fundraising dinner on the Friday night. More than two hundred people listened to the international guest speaker, Imam Mahdi Bray from the US deliver an inspirational address. Imam Bray, the Executive Director of the Muslim American Society (MAS) Freedom Foundation, gave a significant insight into the current plight of Muslims post-S11 particularly in the US. He touched on some of the issues relevant to Muslims withstanding the barrage of victimisation and discrimination.

The dinner was followed by a plenary session on Saturday at the University of Sydney (Cumberland Campus). Various speakers presented papers including an opening address by Sheikh Yahya Safi, Imam of the Lakemba Masjid. The program was extensive with a total of ten papers presented ranging in topics from "Muslim youth under siege" to "Empowering Muslims in the West." Several of the papers delivered at the Conference are included in this issue of SALAM magazine.

Imam Bray in particular gave a comprehensive account of a case where a MAS-coalition with other anti-gambling stake-holders was able to defeat an initiative in the state of Maryland to increase the number of one-arm bandit poker machines. The follow-on effect of that coalition extended to issues of pornography and alcoholism. He said that: "We can talk the talk, but we should walk the walk," when it comes to practical implementation of the Islamic value system.

The Conference concluded with a Training Seminar on the Sunday. This was perhaps the most useful of all programs, based on the feedback from participants. Interest was particularly high with almost double the number of people attending than initially planned for. Imam Bray conducted the training incorporating very effective role-play sessions. The seminar focussed on "Media Relations" and "Community Outreach," and highlighted the fact that Australian Muslims have a lot to learn from their American brothers and sisters especially in the area of community outreach. "We have along way to go," said one young trainee.

After the Conference, Imam Mahdi Bray continued on a lecture tour to Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne. He left us with one important message: "Yes we are under siege and non-violent resistance is the only option for Muslims in Australia." May Allah (swt) reward Imam Mahdi generously for his efforts.