Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas - Kwanza - Zartosht Diso - Muharram - Yalda

DECEMBER FESTIVALS -2008
Christmas - Kwanza - Zartosht Diso - Muharram - Yalda
Summary of other Festivals of December in the link at the bottom of this page
"If your festival is missing, please share it with me and my world of friends"

Let's learn a little bit about our friends, neighbors and co-workers, and how they commemorate or celebrate their lives. Friendship is an amazing thing, it takes time to know, but when you do, a lot of myths about others disappear - and you find an amazing peace within you for knowing some one from some group, whom you thought otherwise..oh well, you got it. I have compiled, borrowed and added a few notes to learn and share about the following festivals and commemorations. It is not perfect but selected for a lay person to grasp it. For example the write up about Zartosht no-deso is very elementary to Zoroastrians but meaningful to others.

Please join us to reflect upon the Holocaust and Genocides. Let's make room in our hearts for the precious feelings for human helplessness. Kindly mark your calendars for 7:00 - 9:15 PM on Saturday, January 24th, 2009. Details at: www.HolocaustandGenocides.com or try .org

Click here to read the details of the festivals listed above:

http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Articles/December-Festivals-Christmas-Kwanza-ZortoshtDiso-Muharram-Z.asp

Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker and a Writer on Pluralism, interfaith, terrorism, peace, interfaith, Islam, Multiculturism and India. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television network discussing interfaith, political and civic issues. His comments, news analysis and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website www.MikeGhouse.net. Mike is a Dallasite for nearly three decades and Carrollton is his home town. He can be reached at MikeGhouse@gmail.com

Sunday, December 7, 2008

The Essence of Eid-al-Adha - A Muslim Festival on Monday

The Essence of Eid-al-Adha - A Muslim Festival on Monday

Eid-al-Adha is also known as Hajj or Bakrid (variations listed below) if you wish to greet Muslims on this day you may say Happy Eid or Eid Mubarak. Eid is festivity. At the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, known as Hajj, Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid-al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). This year, Eid-al-Adha will be celebrated on Monday, December 8, 2008. It is about remembering and commemorating the trials and triumphs of Prophet Abraham.

A parent would risk his or her life to protect the child. People in love have the passion to value their beloved's life and are willing to get the bullet and save the life, they are willing to rescue her or him from the freezing lake risking their own life, even strangers do that. It is the willingness to put the life of the loved one’ above one’s own life. Every day our Police officers risk their own lives to protect ours, the firemen and women risk their lives to save a child, a pet or an aged person from a fire; and every day our soldiers put their lives at risk to save fellow soldiers and to save our freedom. Eid-al-Adha is a tradition started by Prophet Abraham.

Continued: http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Articles/Eid-al-Adha-2008.asp

Scream Bloody Murder, reflections on Holocaust and Genocides

Scream Bloody Murder, reflections on Holocaust and Genocides

You feel angry knowing that the world stood by silently when the Jews were put on the train to the gas chambers; you feel anger when the Bosnian Muslims children were given chocolates and told not to worry and go right behind and open gunfire and massacre them; you feel anger when the Canadian general sends faxes upon faxes to the United Nations to send help, while the UN and USA did not want to get involved and 800,000 Rwandans were massacred, they were even announcing on their radio how to torture pregnant women to pull out the babies… It was a difficult documentary to watch, but you must watch and face the world; you have to do your share to clean your own slate of conscience.

Continued: http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Articles/Scream-bloody-Murder-reflection-on-holocaust-genocides.asp

Friday, November 14, 2008

Jewish Muslim Dialogue; a necessity

Jewish Muslim Dialogue; a necessity
INSPIRED BY THE DOCUMENTARY "THE MONSTER AMONG US"
Mike Ghouse, Dallas, Texas

The Jewish Community Center in Dallas recently screened a documentary called “The Monster among us”, produced and directed by Dallas filmmakers Allen and Cynthia Mondell.

I have captured the highlights of the film, and will pen a few here;

First of all, let me acknowledge, that it is a well made documentary and I commend the integrity of the producer for presenting his particular perspective which he twice clarified to me was a strictly "Jewish" perspective with no attempt made to present any other side of the story. That is fair.....until we have all points of view on the table, the dialogue to find solutions would be inadequate and thus will not be sustainable.I did not find the movie to be offensive; however there were three major flaws in the movie that needed to be re-edited or tagged with comments to rectify them. Our allegiance ought to be to the truth. Continue

http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Articles/Jewish-Muslim-dialogue-a-necessity.asp

Friday, July 18, 2008

Interfaith dialogue in Saudi Arabia

The following letter was sent to the arab news, in reference to their article listed at; Articles at: http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2008/07/interfaith-in-saudi-arabia.html

Bismillah, this is a good beginning.

Saudi Arabia, one of the most conservative societies is opening up to people of other faiths. The process began in 2005 when Saudi Emissaries started branching out all over the world to explore interfaith. In Dallas per the request of a Saudi minister, I had arranged for a 20 member meeting from Jewish, Islamic and Christian groups as an initial step towards including all faiths in the near future. Since then the Saudi Kingdom has taken series of steps in this direction culminating in interfaith dialogue series. First it was the same three groups; Judaism, Christianity and Islam and now, I am pleased it has included Hinduism and Buddhism.

I am further pleased to read the following statements “Abdullah Al-Turki, secretary-general of the MWL, said, “The aim of the conference is for us to get to know each other and look for ways to cooperate.” And their focus is on “humanitarian issues and challenges facing the world”. He further adds “that the conference would look at social and ethnic conflicts, environmental issues, the breakdown of the family and militant violence around the world.” He added the conferences would initially not focus on theological issues.

Years ago, I had a daily radio show called “Wisdom of Religion, all the beautiful religions” which ran for full two years. Our focus was on the message of each one of the religions and how the common man on the street could relate with the essence of each faith.

God willing, the World Muslim Congress, the Memnosyne Foundation and the Foundation for pluralism from Dallas will work towards creating a better world of co-existence.

Jazak Allah Khair

Mike Ghouse
http://www.worldmuslimcongress.com/
http://www.memnosynefoundation.com/
http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Speakers on Pluralism & Interfaith

What Qualifies one to speak on Interfaith and Pluralism*

Interfaith is about relationship between faiths, where as
Pluralism is about co-existence be it theists, atheists, governance or politics.

We have carefully selected the speakers, and I believe, none of them have bias or prejudice towards people of other faiths, race, ethniciy or any other uniqueness.

http://dallasinterfaithcenter.blogspot.com/2008/07/speakers-on-pluralism-interfaith.html

We are developing a list of speakers who believe “My faith is dear to me, as other's faith is dear to them." and, "I believe in my faith, it works for me and I give the same value to others who believe in their faith without taking away any divinity in them."

To be religious is to be spiritual and to be in tune with the creation, where one feels a sense of oneness with the universe, everything belongs to one and one belongs to all. A true state of liberation and the state of conflictlessness prevails in one's heart and mind. Each one of us can aspire for that ideal and achieve a relative sense of oneness with our own failings and flaws with relative humility.

Spirituality and Arrogance are inversely proportional to each other, ideally, they are mutually exclusive elements. A true religious person appreciates the religiosity and divinity of the other as he or she accords oneself with no arrogance.

We have to build bridges, mitigate conflicts and work for a world of co-existence. Honoring other traditions does not diminish divinity of one's own faith. To be religious is to see the creator in all and be peace makers and justice workers.

These speakers will will have a respectful disposition towards fellow beings regardless of other's theistic, atheistic, agnostic, poly or monotheistic traditions. They will promote appreciation of diversity as a divine design. The cause of all life has origins in the same source, it is the same creator and sustainer. Rabbi Gordis says it well " We have to honor the otherness of other without missionizing thoughts" a certain source of irreligiousness.

Each one of the speaker believes in his or her faith but does not allow the arrogance to creep in to claim that his/her's is the only way and others are inferior. Please share the names of the persons who share these ideals, but are not perfect. No one is.

If we can learn to accept and respect every which way one worships the divine, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge; co-existence in harmony with life and matter.

National interfaith Speakers will be listed at http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/ and the Dallas/ Fort Worth Metroplex Speakers are listed at: http://www.dallasinterfaithcenter.com/

Here is the list of speakers:
Please note that if the speakers are biased towards others, we will not list their names.

Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916
email: Mike@FoundationforPluralism.com
Topics: Pluralism, Terrorism, Essence of Religions, Interfaith, Multi-culturism &\; Islam Profile: http://www.mikeghouse.net/ProfileMikeGhouse.asp
#
Dr. Harbans Lal,
817-446-8757, Mob. 817-846-8630
email: japji08@yahoo.com
Topics: Interfaith and Sikh Tradition

Rev. Marylou Bishop-GhystPhone: 214-324-1125
e-mail: unityland@aol.com
Topics: Christianity's path, religious prejudice

Rev. Petra Weldes
email: therock@csldallas.org
Profile: Scroll down please

PROFILES OF SPEAKERS
_____________________________________________

Marylou Ghyst

Topics:
1) Christianity's Three Paths
2) Mysticism and Recognizing Guidance
3) Jesus' Concept of God and of Heaven on Earth
4) The Keys to Jesus' Healing Power; Self-Healing
5) Adam & Eve (the second creation story -- not literal -- but deeply spiritual).
6) 15 Areas of Prejudice in this country

Profile: Marylou is a native of Denver, Colorado. At age 4, she became aware of her mission in life -- to be a doctor. Ten years later at 14, although under age, she persuaded Mercy Hospital to hire her as a nurse's aide. At 16, she graduated from a vocational nursing school. About the same time, she observed a TV minister who was "doctoring" to the emotional needs of people. Instantly she recognized that was the kind of doctor she wanted to be. She left nursing behind, and worked for attorneys for the next 20 years which she describes as one of her most profound learning experiences. She then studied art for 5 years, learning to paint in water color and oil. At this time, in mid-life, she received her "calling." Most Christian ministers are aware of the exact moment when God calls them to ministry, and she said "yes" to the call.

She graduated from Unity School of Christianity in Missouri as a Licensed Teacher, and was ordained a minister at Unity Temple in New Orleans. She co-founded Unity Church in Garland, now Unity Church of Sachse, from which she retired in 2006. She's now committed to interfaith. and is in the process of writing her fifth book, The Teachings of Jesus in Plain English. She is married and has no children.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Volunteer opportunities

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP SHEET

We go through day-to-day without realizing how much we owe to many nameless faceless people, collectively called volunteers. They help and touch our lives unbeknownst to us and without a charge. We can never repay them individually, but we can honor them by extending their services by volunteering ourselves. The gift of time is more personal than the gift of money. To begin with please commit two hours a week to serve others, especially the people we don't know. It will enrich our lives with a personal satisfaction deeper than pleasures of material things.

The purity of service and the un-adulterated joy becomes a reality when we serve humanity for the sake of humanity, without regard to race, religion, ethnicity or culture that erect artificial barriers amongst us. Selfless volunteering makes us worthy of God given blessings of joy and peace.If you wish to volunteer for the following organizations, please check the box.

[ ] Senior Adult Services For 30 years Senior Adult Services has assisted seniors and their caregivers with information, meals, transportation, home repairs and medical equipment—practical solutions to many of the common challenges of aging. Last year 395 volunteers gave 16,752 hours to help seniors live better. Volunteers may choose a regular schedule or do specials projects, but either way they both enrich the lives of seniors and enjoy experiences that are challenging and fulfilling. Gayle at 972-242-4464 or go to www.senioradultservices.org for more information.

[ ] www.metrocrestsocialservices.org. You are invited to volunteer in Metrocrest Social Services' Thanksgiving food distribution program on Sunday, Nov. 23. Volunteers 16 years old and older are needed either 1-2:30 p.m. or 2:30-4 p.m.; to sign up, please contact Dana Wilson at 972-446-2100, ext.19 or dwilson@metrocrestsocialservices.org. Other volunteer opportunities are available on Metrocrest's website. This is to honor Najma for her volunteerism.

[ ] Dallas Peace Center The mission of the Dallas Peace Center is based on a vision of reconciliation: to promote education, dialogue and action for peace and justice. Those interested in volunteering may contact Daniel at office@dallaspeacecenter.org or call 214-823-7793.

[ ] Keep Carrollton Beautiful is a catalyst and community liaison making Carrollton a cleaner and more beautiful place. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit, dedicated to empower Carrollton to enhance our community environment.Since 2004, we have held 48 public events utilizing 5,150 volunteers. Our programs funnel energy and money into community improvement in partnership with Carrollton’s public, private and civic groups. Our leadership is a volunteer Board who work in all aspects of the community.

[ ] Jobs with Justice is a coalition of union, church, civil rights, student, and community activists. We meet at 7 PM each 2nd Wednesday in the basement of Oak Cliff Methodist Church, 547 E. Jefferson in Dallas. Our web page is www.labordallas.org, where one can find recent and upcoming activities.

[ ] Al-Shifa Medical Clinic/Domestic Violence Program: The clinic provides free medical services to uninsured residents of Dallas-Ft Worth. It is located on 7600 Glenview Dr, Richland Hills, TX 76180. The clinic is open on weekends between 9 am to 12:30 pm. We provide services irrespective of color, creed, religion, or ethnicity. The clinic needs volunteers during the weekdays to set up appointments, and on Sunday, to assist in office work. We also need help in our domestic violence program assisting the Program Director on various tasks. Talaun Thompson, - MCC for Human Services at 817-589-9165

[ ] Foundation for Pluralism Our mission is to encourage individuals to develop an open mind and an open heart toward their follow beings. If we can learn to accept and respect the God given uniqueness of each one of the 7 billion of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. We believe that knowledge leads to understanding and understanding to acceptance and appreciation of a different point of view. Through workshops, seminars and conferences we hope to create a culture of acceptance of others.

Mike Ghouse – Mike@FoundationforPluralism.com

YOUR NAME : ____________________EMAIL: _________________
PHONE (H) : _____________________CELL : __________________
ADDRESS: _______________________CITY : __________________
ZIP: ____________

Thank you.

Friday, June 6, 2008

06-29-08 ::Celebrating the spirit of Volunteerism

Celebrating the spirit of Volunteerism

Sunday, June 29, 2008
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Dedicated to Najma Ghouse

The world is a better place today because of the spirit of volunteerism in each one of us. Every one is endowed with the gift of helping others and a majority of us apply that gift and receive boundless joy that comes with serving others.

My father used to say “You did not walk out of your mother’s womb by yourselves, nor can you bury yourselves, from the first breath of life to the last one and every moment in between, you are dependent on others and others on you. Making that dependency easy, stainless, stressless and comfortable is a beautiful way to live”.

Picking things up for some one who cannot, listening to a friend, being there for those who needed uplifting, mitigating conflicts between individuals or groups, taking time to help a stranger and simply doing good to others without any returns makes our heart smile, we beam all day and we can do this every day. Every thing we are enjoying today is due to the spirit of volunteerism in others.

Balance in life comes when we give gratitutde for the benefits we receive, for every benefit we receive we have to give back in kind to keep a balanced and a happier life. It is as simple as that.

Please join us to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism in you. We are pleased to dedicate this evening to one such person; Najma Ghouse.

Program outline:
Sunday, June 29, 2008 – 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM**

- Meet and Greet
- Gratitude
- The spirit of volunteerism
- Multi-faith prayers
- Refreshments

** . If you send the email to: Confirmattendance@Gmail.com after next Tuesday, it will automatically give you the place information. More about Najma at http://www.mikeghouse.net/


Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net
www.FoundationforPluralism.com
www.WorldMuslimCongress.com

06-23-08 :: Rabbi Weisser - UPF meetings

Announcing a joint meeting of Ambassadors for Peace and the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC)

DATE:Monday, June 23, 2008
TIME:7 to 9 PM
LOCATION:Soon To Be Announced

GUEST SPEAKER: Rabbi Michael Weisser, from Lincoln, Nebraska

Rabbi Michael Weisser has served as a cantor, educator, and spiritual leader for various congregations. He has taught courses such as "Christian and Jewish Heritage" in the Religion Department at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

In 1991, Rabbi Weisser and his family were subjected to threats from the Ku Klux Klan of Nebraska, specifically their Grand Dragon, Larry Trapp. With the heart of love, Rabbi Weisser was able to reach out to Larry Trapp, resulting in a life-changing friendship. Trapp renounced his ties to hate organizations and even lived with Rabbi Weisser's family during Trapp's terminal illness. A book about this amazing experience was published by Simon and Schuster. See the link below:

http://books.google.com/books?id=iAWOw6kqv_4C

Rabbi Weisser has been honored over the years by such diverse organizations as the Interfaith Council of Lincoln, Nebraska, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, and many others.

He has been involved with the Universal Peace Federation and other affiliated organizations since December 2007. He has attended a Middle East Peace Initiative gathering in Israel/Palestine, as well as clergy gatherings in Washington, DC, and Seoul, Korea. He recently participated in celebrating the marriage blessing in the Washington area. The focus of Rabbi Weisser's life has been building bridges of understanding between various faith communities.

Come and welcome this distinguished speaker to Dallas!


--
Rev. Mark Hernandez, Chairman
UNIVERSAL PEACE FEDERATION
Central Western States: TX, OK, AR, NM, CO, UT, & WY
1922 Anson Road
Dallas, TX 75235-4000
Phone: 214-859-0663
Fax: 214-631-1881
website: www.peacefed.net

Sunday, April 20, 2008

05-14-08 : Carrollton interfaith Luncheon

Carrollton interfaith Luncheon
Public is invited - Must RSVP

Carrollton Interfaith Group Luncheon
Monthly Meeting on Wednesday, May 14, 2008

We are a group of about 25 Members from different faith backgrounds and meet once a month for about 9 times a year. Each month a place of worship sponsors the event and those interested are invited for fellowship on lunch.

Metrocrest Ministers Fellowship Meeting

Day: Wednesday,
Date: May 14,
Time: 11:30 – 1:00 p.m.

Host: Carrollton Masjid,
Islamic Association of Carrollton
1901 Kelly Blvd, Carrollton, TX, USA 75007
Intersection of Kelly Blvd and Country Club
Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916

RSVP : mss@metrocrestsocialservices.org
Bunny Summerlin,
Executive Director
(972) 446-2100 ext. 16 / (972) 446-2102 FAX

05-01-08 : National day of Prayer, Dallas

The Thanks-Giving Square & its Interfaith Council invite you to:
The 28th Original
National Day of Prayer
Breakfast

Ballroom A, Dallas Convention Center
Dallas Convention Center
650 S. Griffin St.
Dallas, Texas 75202

Thursday, May 1, 2008
7:30 -9:00 a.m.

Valet, Garage & Outdoor Parking available
DART stop: Convention Center

With Brigadier General Cecil R. Richardson,
Air Force Deputy Chief of Chaplains

Tickets $40/Students & Seniors $30 – Individual and Group Sponsorship levels available

For tickets and information, please call
214-969-1977 or e-mail
tgs@thanksgiving.org
www.thanksgiving.org



---------------------------

Brigadier General Richardson began his career as Chaplain at the Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas in 1977. He became a Brigadier General and Deputy Chief of Chaplains in 2004 at Air Force Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He has just been selected to become Major General and is on assignment as Air Force Chief of Chaplains.

The Air Force Chaplaincy includes more than 2,200 chaplains and assistants. They do not carry arms, but assure the free exercise of religion to all Air Force personnel and their families worldwide. As a member of the Armed Forces Chaplains Board, Chaplain Richardson advises the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff on religious, ethical, and quality of life concerns.

How to post your event

Feel free to post the event in the following manner. You can post in the Post a Comment below or send an email to MikeGhouse@aol.com.

Please do not post incomplete information.

Event name:
Event Address:
Theme:
Day:
Date:
Place:
Time:
Dinner:
Speaker(s):
Organization:
Contact Name:
Phone Number:
Email:
Website/Blog:
Admission fee:

Prefer text, but jpg, bmp will do, but no PDF
Check the various press releases and simply copy them.

Mike Ghouse

Information about your organization

Please furnish complete information, to save frustrations to the seekers of information. I have given room for a Spokesperson, Insha Allah, I will hold a meeting for the Spokespersons with the Media about how to handle the media.

Organization Name:
Address:
Phone:
Website:
Email:
Fax:


President:
Directors:
Trustees:
Spokesperson:
Interfaith Relations:


Incorporation date:
Annual General Meeting date:
Qurterly Meetings date:
Monthly Meetings date:

President's Profile:
Director profiles:

Please post information about your organization in the Post a Comment below