On January 21, 2015, one piece of news delved its way through the media outlets and went on the viral drawing the attention of many in the world just in a matter of a few hours after release. In the heat of increasing daily attacks against Islam and Muslims in the western media, it was the message of the leader of the Islamic revolution to the youth in Europe and America which shocked the prevailing atmosphere of Islamophobia in the west and motivated the audience to reflect on the ongoing anti-Islam climate governing the west. This is the first episode of a new series on some outstanding points in that message.
It is rare see the leader, president or head of state put the pen on the paper and write down a message to the youth of other countries. This measure was taken in the aftermath of the recent events in France and the publication of sacrilegious cartoons in a French magazine which gave the pretext to the western officials and media which looked for an apt opportunity to aggravate Islamophobia.

Ayatollah Khamenei, as the leader of the Islamic revolution and the source of emulation for many Muslims across the world, addressed the youth of Europe and America most of whom are non-Muslims to refer to the Muslims' Scripture Qur'an and get familiar with Islam through its genuine sources.

Those who are familiar with the pure Islam know it well that the leader's call of the youth has its roots in a statement by Imam Sadeq (Peace be upon him) who said to his companions, "Go to the youth since they receive the truth sooner and move toward what is good."

Ayatollah Khamenei wrote on the reason for writing the letter, "I am addressing you the youth not because of ignoring your parents but due to the fact that I see the future of your nation and land in your hands and I have found the sense of truth-seeking more live and alert in you."

While the French events and similar events elsewhere exacerbate the situation against Islam, the leader of the Islamic revolution asks the curious youth of Europe and US to research on the reasons and causes of this much of Islamophobic measures taken by the western media and officials. In part of his letter, he writes, "Do not let them (the western politicians) to introduce hypocritically their hired terrorists as the representatives of Islam. Know Islam through its authentic and first-hand sources. Get acquainted with Islam via Qur'an and the life of its grand Prophet. I'd like to ask you if you have ever referred to the Muslims' Qur'an directly? Have you studied the humane and moral teachings of the messenger of Islam? Have you received the message of Islam from sources other than the media? Have you ever asked yourselves how and on what basis could the Islamic values establish the greatest scientific and intellectual civilization in the world and groom the greatest scientists and thinkers throughout centuries?"

The ayahs of the holy Qur'an are replete with the concepts that attract every truth-seeking youth. God says in part of ayah 8 of surah Ma'idah, "… and ill feeling for a people should never lead you to be unfair. Be fair; it is nearer to Godwariness, and be wary of Allah. Allah is indeed well aware of what you do."

The innate nature of the youth certainly understands this message of Qur'an, "O People of the Book! Come to a word common between us and you: that we will worship no one but Allah, and that we will not ascribe any partner with Him, and that we will not take each other as lords besides Allah."

He cannot turn his back to Islam and call it the religion of violence while ayah 108 of surah An'am reads, "Do not abuse those whom they invoke besides Allah, lest they should abuse Allah out of hostility out of ignorance."

The truth-seeking youth of the west will find out that Islam says on the freedom of expression in ayah 6 of surah Tawba, "If any of the polytheists seeks asylum from you, grant him asylum until he hears the Word of Allah. Then convey him to his place of safety. That is because they a people who do not know."

How can the pure-hearted western youth call Islam as devoid of reasoning and logic while a plethora of ayahs in Qur'an encourage the reader to think and reflect on everything? How can he turn his back to Islam while he studies its moral ayahs on being good to parents, spouses and so on?

As the Prophet of Islam used to invite people toward truth via wisdom, good advice and the best dispute, the leader of the Islamic revolution also applies wisdom, good advice and the best dispute to call on the western youth to ponder on Islam free from the insinuations and suggestions of politicians and hostile souls.

The significant importance of the Ayatollah Khamenei's letter is that he doesn't expose a particular take of Islam to the western youth; he rather says, "I don't insist on you to accept my take or any other take of Islam but I tell you do not let this dynamic and influential reality of today's world be introduced to you by polluted purposes and objectives."

He doesn't even explain anything on Islam but just demands the western youth to conduct research based on a natural and obvious right of every human being; that is, the right of knowing and cognition. Thus, if the western youth refer to the Islamic teachings directly they will definitely reach the truth that the Takfiri groups, ISIL, Al-Nusra, Boko Haram and the like of them have absolutely nothing to do with Islam.

The youth of Europe and the United States, with a brief reflection an study, will get to know the real image and intention of distorters of Islam and those who introduce terrorists as the representatives of Islam and Muslims.