tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92054078440903434292024-03-16T17:26:42.784-07:00Dallas Interfaith CenterMike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.comBlogger186125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-30698688081303928482020-01-19T08:53:00.000-08:002020-01-19T08:53:38.429-08:00Holocaust and Genocides 2020<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com/2019/12/15th-annual-holocaust-and-genocides.html" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">15th Annual Holocaust and Genocides</span></span></a></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-size: small;">PRESS RELEASE<span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1c1e29; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Mike Ghouse</span></span></span></div>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Center for Pluralism</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Website: </span><a class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink" href="http://www.centerforpluralism.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">www.CenterforPluralism.com</span></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Website: </span><a class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink" href="http://www.holocaustandgenocides.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">www.HolocaustandGenocides.com</span></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">email: MikeGhouse@gmail.com </span></span></span></div>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Office: (202) 290-3560</span></span></span></div>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cell: (214) 325-1916</span></span></span></div>
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<ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1c1e29; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0pt 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0pt 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Press Release - </span><a class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink" href="http://www.einpresswire.com/shareable-preview/Ph3gI72imCk3afsvJWZbZA" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">http://www.einpresswire.com/shareable-preview/Ph3gI72imCk3afsvJWZbZA</span></a></span></span></span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0pt 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">RSVP - </span><a class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reflections-on-holocaust-and-genocides-tickets-86666932127" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reflections-on-holocaust-and-genocides-tickets-86666932127</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0pt 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Facebook: </span><a class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2929516827067272/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">https://www.facebook.com/events/2929516827067272/</span></a><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> </span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0pt 0px; padding: 0px;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">At this time, it is published in 148 News outlets </span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1c1e29; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">15th Annual Reflections on the Holocaust and Genocides </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1c1e29; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The purpose of this event is education, information, and activism. We hope to learn and acknowledge our failings and make a personal commitment to our share of saying, "Never Again."</span></span></span></div>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">15th Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides</span></span></span></div>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">5:30 PM - 8:30 PM Sunday, January 26, 2020</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy Street</span></span></span></div>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Arlington, VA 22201</span></span></span></div>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tickets are complimentary, but donations are accepted </span></span></span></div>
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<a class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink" href="http://centerforpluralism.com/donate/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">http://centerforpluralism.com/donate/</span></span></span></a></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1c1e29; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1c1e29; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">RSVP: </span><a class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtfLink" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reflections-on-holocaust-and-genocides-tickets-86666932127" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #4a6ee0; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reflections-on-holocaust-and-genocides-tickets-86666932127</span></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br /></span><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1c1e29; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We hope you will walk out of the event with a genuine feeling of being a contributor towards building a cohesive world where no human has to live in apprehension or fear of the other. </span></span></span></div>
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<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Jewish community has been commemorating the Holocaust event since 1953, known as Yom HaShoah in Synagogues around the world. The general public learns it by visiting the Holocaust Museums and educational institutions.</span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the Center for Pluralism, we are committed to spreading knowledge of the Holocaust and Genocide through interfaith and public events, including the Annual reflections. </span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Speakers: </span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Robert F. Teitel - Holocaust Story</span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Gregory Stanton - Signs of Genocides</span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rushan Abbas & Omer Kanat - Uyghur Updates</span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Wakar Uddin - Rohingya Update</span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Muneer Baig - Kashmir Update</span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dr. TO Shanavas - India Update</span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Rani Khan - Peace Pledge</span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Mike Ghouse - Genesis of this event</span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rabia Baig - Mistress of Ceremony</span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Volunteers:</span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nausheen Baig</span></span></span></h3>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rabbi Alana Suskin</span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jafer Imam</span></span></span></h3>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Zafar Iqbal</span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Charles Stevenson</span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sponsors:</span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Would you like to be a sponsor?</span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our budget is $2000, full or any part </span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Co-Chairs:</span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Rani Khan</span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Mike Ghouse</span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Organized by:</span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Center for Pluralism</span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our format consists of four parts; Interfaith prayers, Holocaust, Genocides, Massacred and the Pledge of Peace. Silently, we will acknowledge all suffering, but physically we are limited to a few Genocides each year. </span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> This year, a Holocaust survivor will share his story, followed by updated Uyghur, Rohingya, and the signs of making of Genocide in India. I urge everyone to watch the Schindler's list and Civil War movies to grasp the signs.</span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I believe, when we acknowledge each other's grief and participate in each other's commemoration, we connect with the humanness within ourselves and seed the relationship of understanding and caring for each other. </span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is a shameless cruelty in us, either we shy away or refuse to acknowledge the sufferings of others, worrying that it will devalue our own, or amounts to infidelity to our pain, and every community and nation has suffered through this. To all those who have endured the Holocaust, Genocides, Massacres, Ethnic Cleansing, Land Mines, Hunger, Rape, Torture, Occupation, Expulsion, and inhuman brutality, we must say, you are not alone. The least we can do in the process of healing is to acknowledge every one's pain in one voice. </span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I cannot be safe if the people around me are not, and I will not have peace if people around me don't. It is in my interest to seek a peaceful world for one and all.</span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1c1e29; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0pt 0px; position: relative;">
<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a Muslim initiative to assure fellow humans who have endured the Holocaust, Genocide, ethnic cleansing, massacres, rapes, injustice and other atrocities that we are all in this together to create a better world. Tikkun Olam is our sacred duty. </span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #c00000; line-height: 27.6px;">List of Supporting Organizations (links embedded)</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 27.6px;"></span><br /></span></span><ul style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://ifcmw.org/" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington</span></a></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://www.mpac.org/" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)</span></a></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://www.thej.org/" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pozez Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia</span></a></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Foundation for Ethnic Understanding</span></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">American Sikhi Educational and Empowerment Network </span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 20.7px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jews, Muslims and Allies Acting Together (JAMAAT<span style="color: #222222;">)</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.528px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Response USA for Relief and Development (RUSARD)</span></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.528px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://iswamd.org/" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;">Islamic Society of Washington Area</a> (ISWA)</span></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.528px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Church of Scientology National Affairs Office </span></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.528px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jews for Jewish Muslim Understanding</span></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 21.528px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Send email t</span>o</span><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-weight: normal;"> </span><a href="mailto:HolocaustandGenocides20@gmail.com" style="color: #0d0d4a; font-weight: normal; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue;">HolocaustandGenocides20@gmail.com</span></a><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-weight: normal;"><br /># # #</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Published at 148 News Outlets<br />A few are listed below </span></span></span></span></h2>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Fox News, Washington, DC<br /><a href="https://www.fox34.com/story/41548532/holocaust-and-genocides-commemoration-in-washington-dc" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.fox34.com/story/41548532/holocaust-and-genocides-commemoration-in-washington-dc</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Fox News<br /><a href="http://www.wicz.com/story/41548532/holocaust-and-genocides-commemoration-in-washington-dc" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.wicz.com/story/41548532/holocaust-and-genocides-commemoration-in-washington-dc</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">NBC News<br /><a href="http://www.nbc-2.com/story/41548532/holocaust-and-genocides-commemoration-in-washington-dc" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.nbc-2.com/story/41548532/holocaust-and-genocides-commemoration-in-washington-dc</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 14pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Boston Herald<br /><a href="http://markets.financialcontent.com/bostonherald/news/read/39355237" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue;">http://markets.financialcontent.com/bostonherald/news/read/39355237</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #4a6ee0;">All Event<br /><a href="https://allevents.in/arlington/reflections-on-holocaust-and-genocides/1000086666932127" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #4a6ee0;">https://allevents.in/arlington/reflections-on-holocaust-and-genocides/1000086666932127</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;"><a href="https://twitter.com/search/realtime?q=%22Holocaust+and+Genocides+Commemoration+in+Washington%2C+DC%22" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue;">Twitter</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">African American News <a href="https://africanamericans.einnews.com/pr_news/506869723/holocaust-and-genocides-commemoration-in-washington-dc" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue;">https://africanamericans.einnews.com/pr_news/506869723/holocaust-and-genocides-commemoration-in-washington-dc</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #1c1e29;">Human Rights <a href="https://humanrights.einnews.com/pr_news/506869723/holocaust-and-genocides-commemoration-in-washington-dc" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue;">https://humanrights.einnews.com/pr_news/506869723/holocaust-and-genocides-commemoration-in-washington-dc</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #1c1e29; font-weight: normal;">Religion News<a href="https://religion.einnews.com/pr_news/506869723/holocaust-and-genocides-commemoration-in-washington-dc" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue;"> https://religion.einnews.com/pr_news/506869723/holocaust-and-genocides-commemoration-in-washington-dc</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-58604566558617298542019-04-25T16:41:00.002-07:002019-04-25T16:41:41.694-07:00Book: American Muslim Agenda <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="https://americanmuslimagenda.blogspot.com/2019/04/hosting-book-talk-for-american-muslim.html" style="color: black; text-decoration-line: none;">Hosting book talk for American Muslim Agenda</a><br /></span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">If you are a conservative, then grudgingly you'll see the value in what this book offers, and if you are on the left, you want more of it, and if you are moderate, you will dance with joy.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">HOSTING A BOOK TALK<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The book is about building a cohesive America where each one of us feels secure about our faith, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual and political orientation. Who does not want to live a tension free life at home, workplace, and in the public space? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The "American Muslim Agenda” serves a two-fold purpose. On the one hand, it separates the chaff from the grain for fellow Americans to see Muslims for who they are and not how the media projects them. On the other hand, it challenges Muslims to restore Islam to its original purpose; that is to create cohesive societies, in our case, a coherent America, where each one of the 323 Million Americans feels proud of his or her uniqueness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The book presents many success stories to keep the reader bemused. I am pleased to submit three versions of the blurbs on the book talk. The format can be 10 minutes or 20 minutes presentation with room for Q&A. We want our esteemed guests to go home fully satisfied with all the questions they have had about Islam and Muslims. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Our conservative friends would grudgingly acknowledge the pathway laid out in the book, while the moderates will dance with joy. If your vision of America is in tune with the book, together as Americans, we can contribute towards the greatness of our nation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Would this bring a change among Muslims towards others and others towards Muslims? Indeed, this book lays out a clear agenda to foster harmony among fellow Americans. It is akin to planting a seed and nurturing to give the beneficence to the next generation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Some of the reservations we have about Muslims is based on what we have heard from our parents, friends, teachers, pastors, and TV. It is time for us to learn first-hand about them and remove the misunderstandings and live freely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">It is one of the bold books written about Muslims, and it highlights the sources of extremism and how to cure it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Unfortunately, some of the Muslim scholars from the past have reduced Islam to a religion of rituals and obedience. This book brings clarity to Muslims and fellow humans and separates the chaff from the wheat for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The overall theme of the book is to open people's hearts and minds towards each other. I believe that the ultimate ‘unexpressed’ purpose of humans is to live freely and be comfortable with one's culture, race, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, and individuality.</span></div>
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<b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>Why do you think that this book will appeal to readers?</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">It will appeal to Muslims and Non-Muslims alike, as they have never seen the pristine, pluralistic Islam. Moreover, for the first time in Islamic history, the essence of Islam is explained. Also, for the first time, the book explains twelve values directly from the Quran that contributes towards building cohesive societies with no privileges to one over the other. It is human nature to get along with fellow beings, and this book will resonate with them and pave the path for them to see the light at the end of the tunnel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">TEN T<b>AKE AWAY POINTS FROM THE BOOK</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1. The American Muslim Agenda challenges Muslims to think and restore Islam to its original purpose – i.e., to create a cohesive America, where each one of the 323 Million Americans feels secure with his or her faith, race, ethnicity culture, sexual and political orientation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">2. The American Muslim Agenda paves the way for Muslims to own their mistakes, and remedy them. It corrects how fellow Americans perceive Muslims.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">3. Islam is not about imposing (Sharia) your ideas or governing others. Islam is about living your life and letting others live theirs with freedom. That is the original Islam. Islam is about freedom and firmly stands for free will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">4. The essence and purpose of Islam from a humanity’s (Aalameen) perspective for the first time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">5. Never before in Islamic history, twelve values of Islam that contribute to creating secure, orderly and cohesive societies have been articulated. Verses from the Quran fully back each value. Thus, the book becomes a reference manual to teach and learn about Islam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">6. The best way to combat Islamophobia is through education, engagement, and dialogue. There are many success stories narrated including dealing with Fox News, Sean Hannity, Stuart Varney and the supposedly most of the Islamaphobes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">7. This book is the product of twenty years of research and interviews with the right, left, and the moderate fellow humans from many faiths including 150 interviews at Fox News and its many right-leaning guests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">8. Can a Muslim become President of the United States? What does it take, there is a full chapter on the topic?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">9. In the end, it is learning to respect the otherness of the other and accepting the God given the uniqueness of each one of the 323 million Americans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">10. There is a whole lot more, and it is all in the book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Talk Version 1.0<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Title of the talk: Muslims making America the Greatest nation on earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Americans Muslims are committed to building a cohesive America, an inclusive America where each one of the 323 Million Americans feel secure about his/her faith, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual and political orientation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">When you are free from apprehensions, and connect with fellow workers, the workplace becomes a joy to be. You will give 100% of your heart and mind to your work, and your family benefits from having a whole of you, thus creating a little heaven for yourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Dr. Mike Ghouse, author, public speaker, pluralist, interfaith wedding officiant, and the president of the Center for Pluralism in Washington, DC., will discuss how Muslim efforts in building a cohesive America are working.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">He points out that we are Americans, we are free and brave people and must jettison our apprehensions about each other to live freely. Mike advises that if you are a conservative, then grudgingly you'll see a value in what this book offers, and if you are on the left, you want more of it, and the moderates will dance with joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">He points out that we are Americans, we are free, and the brave people, and must jettison our apprehensions about each other to live freely. How do we accomplish that? It is by knowing each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">America has always led the world in science, medicine, math, agriculture, automation, information technology, exploration and all the advancements of the human race, and it is time for us to lead the world in building a cohesive nation. The book offers concrete solutions to Americans to make America a great and powerful model nation of inclusion for Americans to enjoy living their lives productively and purposefully, and the world to look up to us to emulate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">We have to assure each other and every American without exception that we are committed to each other's security, prosperity, and peace. Our goal is to reach out to every American who has not been reached before, particularly those who do not understand us. As American Muslims, we uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Mike will share a few incredible success stories of dealing with our friends on the right and answer questions about Muslim efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">The book “American Muslim Agenda” will become a reference manual to knowledge seekers and teachers of Islam, and those who want to see one nation, one people and one America. For Muslims, it is backed up with verses from the Quran. You can order this book from Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Google, and other book stores. See the talking points at http://www.AmericanMuslimAgenda.com and Mike’s profile appended at https://www.linkedin.com/inmikeghouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Americans Muslims are committed to building a cohesive America, an inclusive America where each one of the 323 Million Americans feel secure about his/her faith, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual and political orientation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">When you are free from apprehensions, and connect with fellow workers, the workplace becomes a joy to be. You will give 100% of your heart and mind to your work, and your family benefits from having a whole of you with them creating a little heaven for yourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Dr. Mike Ghouse, author, public speaker, pluralist, interfaith wedding officiant, and the President of the Center for Pluralism in Washington, DC., will discuss how Muslim effort is ongoing in building a cohesive America, where each one of the 323 Million Americans feel secure about his/her faith, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual and political orientations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">He points out that we are Americans, we are free and brave people and must jettison our apprehensions about each other to live freely. Mike advises that if you are a conservative, then grudgingly you'll see a value in what this book offers, and if you are on the left, you want more of it, and the moderates will dance with joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">The book paves the way for Muslims to own their mistakes, remedy them, and correct how fellow Americans perceive Muslims. Mike argues that Islam is not about imposing your ideas or governing others. Instead, Islam is about living your life and letting others live theirs with freedom. It is a bold challenge to Muslims. He shows a narration from humanity's (Aalameen) perspective of the essence and purpose of Islam for the first time in history.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Mike articulates, for the first time in Islamic history, twelve values of Islam that contribute to creating secure, orderly and cohesive societies. He concludes that the best way to combat Islamophobia (and other phobias) is through education, engagement, and dialogue. Mike lays out a clear agenda to foster harmony among fellow Americans. It is akin to planting a seed and nurturing to give the beneficence to the next generation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Mike believes when Muslims become one with all and defend American values with their souls, they will become part of the American story, and everyone’s language will automatically shift from us vs. them to us, the one nation under God with liberty and justice for all. As American Muslims, we uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">This book will become a reference manual to teachers of Islam and knowledge seekers about Islam, as it is backed up verses from the Quran. You can order his book from Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Google, and other book stores. See the talking points at http://www.AmericanMuslimAgenda.com and Mike’s profile appended at https://www.linkedin.com/inmikeghouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">The American Muslim Agenda is a primer, a blueprint, and a road map for Americans in general and Muslims in particular.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">A Muslim is someone who is a conflict mitigater and a goodwill nurturer, following the formula for peaceful societies practiced by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and guided by the Quran.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">As a community, American Muslims have not developed any concrete plans to extricate themselves out of the chaotic situations, hostility and incessant Islamophobic rhetoric we face. Each time a terrorist acts out, we start praying and wishing that the terrorist not be a Muslim. We are Americans, and we can do better than that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">There is only one America, and all of us are fully integrated parts of that nation. We need to learn to engage with those who are opposed to us, and reassure them that we are all in this together. Mike will share some success stories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">When we start defending America and the American values we are in! We become an integral part of American Fabric. That is the clear objective articulated in this book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">The book is available at Amazon, Kindle, Google, Xlibris, Barnes & Nobles, and other book stores. The softcover is priced at $19.99, and the hardcover is $29.99. It is also available as an eBook.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">The American Muslim Agenda will be in the hands of lawmakers, presidential candidates, media persons, lobbyists, think tanks, educators, interfaith activists, CEO, and fellow Americans. The book is about building a cohesive America where each one of us can live securely with our faith, race, ethnicity, and culture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">As American Muslims, we uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Mike is a public speaker, author, interfaith wedding officiant, a newsmaker and the executive director of the Center for Pluralism in Washington, DC. More about him at <span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeghouse/" style="color: black; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeghouse/</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Email to: SpeakerMikeGhouse@gmail.com or text (214) 325-1916</span></div>
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Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-61936123391544510412019-02-13T17:56:00.001-08:002019-02-13T17:56:40.868-08:00American Muslim Agenda - What is it?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 21.4667px;">What is that Americans Muslims want? How close are they to what you want? What can they do about it? What are your issues with each other? If you are a conservative, grudgingly, you'll see the value in this book, and if you are a moderate, you'll dance and sing along with joy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 21.4667px;">You and I have a responsibility to create a world where, you, me, and our grandchildren can live without apprehensions. No matter we go, we should feel secure about faith, race, ethnicity, culture and our political and sexual orientation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 21.4667px;">Would the book American Muslim Agenda bring attitudinal change among Muslims? Yes, it will, it’s akin to planting seeds and nurturing it to give the beneficence to the next generation. I know most American Muslims will wholeheartedly subscribe to the refreshed understanding of Islam, we need to expand it to more Americans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 21.4667px;">Some of the reservations we have about Muslims and Islam are based on what we have heard from our parents, teachers, clergy, favorite media people and others. We need to find the truth on our own and find freedom from misunderstandings. It is a blessing to be free.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 21.4667px;">Muslims have shied away from confronting difficult issues about their faith, and most of them don't even have a clue about the essence of Islam, it was never articulated before in the history of Islam. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 21.4667px;">A few medieval scholars have reduced Islam to rituals, five pillars, dhimmi, jizya, sharia, externalities, and enforcement of your rules on to others. That is not Islam, and most Muslims can recite verses that Islam is about free will. God uploaded free will into Adam’s DNA, and emphasized it in the Quran, the prophet practiced ‘freewill’ and established examples for it. Sadly, Muslims know the truth but were bullied into silence with fatwa bombs. All I have done is articulated what Muslims believe, but dared not say it. The book is the voice of the majority of ‘American’ Muslims.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 21.4667px;">This book is a product of twenty years of research and thousands of discussions in which Muslims, non-Muslims, and “Islamophobes” have participated in it, including debates on Fox News with Sean Hannity, Stuart Varney, Pamela Geller, Brigitte Gabrielle, Robert Spencer, Jamie Glazov, Raymond Ibrahim, Walid Shoebat, Wafa Sultan, and several others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 21.4667px;">Islam is about living your life and letting others live theirs. Islam is about building cohesive societies where all of God's creation lives with dignity and freedom. In God’s universe, we are merely a speck, and no one is more privileged than the other. If you are a moderate individual of any faith, you will find the book in tune with you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 21.4667px;">It is time to go beyond the five pillars of Islam, and I hope the Imams and Muslim scholars who are free thinkers would appreciate the contents of the book. This book may indeed become a reference manual for teaching Islamic values that contribute to creating a better world for all humanity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 21.4667px;">The American Muslim Agenda offers guidance to Muslims to be one with all, and it voices what Muslims believe and live with and empowers them to live their lives and let others live with free will. The book opens the door to people of other faiths to shed their biases and join hands in creating a world of safety, security, and harmony for all humanity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 21.4667px;">Islam is a public religion, and Muslims don't own it exclusively. You are invited to participate in discussions, including your faith. The book is expected to initiate conversations about the nature of Islam and fellow humans. I welcome your criticism (after reading the book).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 21.4667px;">You can get the book by calling 1-888-795-4274 x 4528 or get it from Amazon online or a book store. You can find the talking points at </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"><a href="http://www.americanmuslimagenda.com/" style="color: #183e7c; text-decoration-line: none;">www.AmericanMuslimAgenda.com</a></span></span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 21.4667px;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 21.4667px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Dr. Mike Ghouse is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. His new book, the “American Muslim Agenda” is about everything you wanted to know about Muslims. The book is available at Xlibris and Amazon. Mike is a public speaker, author, interfaith wedding officiant, and the executive director of the Center for Pluralism in Washington, DC. More about him at </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="border: 1pt none; color: #00bcd5; padding: 0in;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeghouse/" style="color: #165288; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeghouse/</a></span></span></span></div>
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Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-59474825495818710182019-01-13T12:28:00.001-08:002019-01-13T12:28:31.860-08:00Book Release - American Muslim Agenda<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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THE BOOK – American Muslim Agenda<br />Muslims Together Building a Cohesive America</div>
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<img alt="" class="alignleft wp-image-7096" height="324" src="http://www.theghousediary.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/AmericanMuslimAgenda-Book.jpg.jpeg" style="border: 0px; float: left; height: auto; margin: 0.857143rem 1.71429rem 0.857143rem 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="216" /></div>
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<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.57143rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To order call: 1-888-795-4274 x 4528</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.57143rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To order online –<a class="x-el x-el-a px_-letter-spacing-normal px_-text-transform-none px_-word-wrap-break-word px_-overflow-wrap-break-word px_-fs-16 px_-fw-400 px_-c-rgb101__129__19 px_-text-decoration-underline px_-d-inline px_-cursor-pointer px_-ff-_Lato___arial__sans-serif px__hover-c-rgb90__115__16 _mdpx_-fs-16 _lgpx_-fs-16 x-d-ux" href="https://www.xlibris.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?Book=547287" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; color: #00bcd5; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">https://www.xlibris.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?Book=547287</a></li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.57143rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Softcover $19.99 / Hardcover $29.99</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.57143rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you would like to receive a signed copy, please send an email to <a class="x-el x-el-a px_-letter-spacing-normal px_-text-transform-none px_-word-wrap-break-word px_-overflow-wrap-break-word px_-fs-16 px_-fw-400 px_-c-rgb101__129__19 px_-text-decoration-underline px_-d-inline px_-cursor-pointer px_-ff-_Lato___arial__sans-serif px__hover-c-rgb90__115__16 _mdpx_-fs-16 _lgpx_-fs-16 x-d-ux" href="mailto:AmericanMuslimAgenda@gmail.com" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; color: #00bcd5; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">AmericanMuslimAgenda@gmail.com</a></li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.57143rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What is the book about?</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.57143rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What do the Scholars say about the book?</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.57143rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Talking points</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2.57143rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Media Inquiries to <a class="x-el x-el-a px_-letter-spacing-normal px_-text-transform-none px_-word-wrap-break-word px_-overflow-wrap-break-word px_-fs-16 px_-fw-400 px_-c-rgb101__129__19 px_-text-decoration-underline px_-d-inline px_-cursor-pointer px_-ff-_Lato___arial__sans-serif px__hover-c-rgb90__115__16 _mdpx_-fs-16 _lgpx_-fs-16 x-d-ux" href="mailto:AmericanMuslimAgenda@gmail.com" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; color: #00bcd5; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">AmericanMuslimAgenda@gmail.com</a></li>
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You will be pleased to see your vision of America resonate in the book. Even though the title is ”American Muslim Agenda,” it is for all Americans.</div>
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One of the purposes in naming the book is for my fellow Americans who have misunderstood Muslims to pick up the book and read, and my fellow Muslims who have misunderstood Islam to take a look the at the pristine Islam that they long for, it is not lost, we have to revive it. Islam is not about ruling or dictating others; it is about living your life and letting others live theirs, one of the 12 strongest values of Islam is freewill that Muslims have forgotten. I have cited the Quran extensively with reinforcing practices of the prophet.</div>
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There are occasional references of wisdom drawn from Atheism to Zoroastrianism and every faith in between. You will see Jesus in Muhammad, Torah in Quran or Bhagavad Gita’s reflections or Buddhas Middle path or Nanak’s service to humanity.</div>
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“I am intrigued by the book, particularly the chapter on the Essence of Islam. The great Talmudic sage Rabbi Hillel in the first century BC said, “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation of this—to study it!” Dr. Ghouse responds to Rabbi Hillel with a corollary on Islam, “God wants us to respect the otherness of the others and accept the uniqueness of each human. That is the whole Quran; the rest is the explanation of this—to study it!”</div>
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MUSLIMS TOGETHER BUILDING A COHESIVE AMERICA</h3>
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This book, The American Muslim Agenda, is a primer, a blueprint, a road map for American Muslims to consider. A Muslim is someone who is a conflict mitigater and a goodwill nurturer, following the formula for peaceful societies practiced by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and guided by the Quran. As a community, American Muslims have not developed any concrete plans to extricate themselves out of the chaotic situations, hostility and incessant Islamophobic rhetoric we face. Each time a terrorist acts out, we start praying and wishing that the terrorist not be a Muslim. We are Americans, and we can do better than that. This book paves the way for us to own the mistakes we have made, remedy them, and become fully integrated Americans. There is only one America, and all of us are fully integrated parts of that nation. We need to learn to engage with those who are opposed to us, and I have some good success stories to share on that front. When we start defending America and American values we are in! We become an integral part of American Fabric.</div>
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<span class="x-el x-el-span px_-letter-spacing-normal px_-text-transform-none px_-fs-unset px_-ff-_Lato___arial__sans-serif px_-fw-700 x-d-ux" style="border: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What do the Scholars say about the book?</span></h2>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="x-el x-el-span px_-letter-spacing-normal px_-text-transform-none px_-fs-unset px_-ff-_Lato___arial__sans-serif px_-fw-700 x-d-ux" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bob Roberts</span>, Renowned Evangelical Pastor & Founder of Global.net Author Bold as Love</strong></div>
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I’m so grateful for the work of Mike Ghouse and his desire to build bridges. You will love this book, it’s about how Muslims in America think, and how we should all be connected regardless of faith. For too long, we’ve ignored the divide between Muslims and Christians and the result is we are prone to believe the worst about one another. Thanks, Mike for this important book.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="x-el x-el-span px_-letter-spacing-normal px_-text-transform-none px_-fs-unset px_-ff-_Lato___arial__sans-serif px_-fw-700 x-d-ux" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bob Crane,</span> first Muslim US Ambassador</strong></div>
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Mike Ghouse’s path-breaking book, American Muslim Agenda, recommends a new agenda in the form of a paradigm shift from the negativism of attacking Islamophobia to the constructive support of America’s founding vision as a model of every world religion’s essence in compassionate justice. This is based on the interfaith search for transcendent truth from both scriptures and natural law in order to translate this wisdom into principles of both ethical value and jurisprudence. These principles, in turn, are essential to guide the modern think-tanks that shape policy agendas, as well as to inform the voters and legislators who have the practical responsibility to translate the vision of compassionate justice into both societal and institutional reform. This is what it has always meant to be an American.</div>
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Fi Aman Allah,</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="x-el x-el-span px_-letter-spacing-normal px_-text-transform-none px_-fs-unset px_-ff-_Lato___arial__sans-serif px_-fw-700 x-d-ux" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar</span>, first Muslim woman scholar to translate the Quran sensitively! </strong><br />Endorsement for The American Muslim Agenda by Mike Ghouse The author presents a challenge to American Muslims to lose their egos and integrate themselves into being fully Muslim, fully American. They have a Muslim example to follow and it is that of spiritual chivalry (javanmardi, futuwwah).</div>
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Spiritual chivalry is that the spiritual warrior constantly strives for the sake of others. It is not seeing yourself as superior to others, to be an enemy of your own soul for the sake of your Lord, to act justly without demanding justice for yourself. Spiritual chivalry is to manifest a beautiful character.</div>
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The spiritual warrior (fata or the feminine, fatat) is a person who has a sense of honor, is called ‘he who breaks the idol.’ God Most High has said [in the Quran], ‘We heard a spiritual warrior named Abraham speak of them [the idols Abraham broke]’ [21:20]. And He said, ‘And he (Abraham, the spiritual warrior) made them [the idols] fragments’ [21:60]. The idol of every person is his own ego, so in reality, whoever opposes his own passions is a ‘spiritual warrior’.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span class="x-el x-el-span px_-letter-spacing-normal px_-text-transform-none px_-fs-unset px_-ff-_Lato___arial__sans-serif px_-fw-700 x-d-ux" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dr. Tariq Cheema, </span>Founder, World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists</strong></div>
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“Bold and brilliant Mike Ghouse. He has not just drawn a roadmap for Muslim Americans to contribute to the society meaningfully but highlighted the unique value proposition of Muslims that mainstream America can bank upon to progress. In fragmented America today, the hope lies in the people of faith who believe in social justice and cohesion. This book is an open invitation and a call to action for all those men and women of conscience.”</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span class="x-el x-el-span px_-letter-spacing-normal px_-text-transform-none px_-fs-unset px_-ff-_Lato___arial__sans-serif px_-fw-700 x-d-ux" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Rabbi Gerald Serotta</span>, Executive Director, Interfaith Conference of Washington</strong></div>
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Dr. Mike Ghouse is a warrior for conflict resolution and a partisan for non-partisan dialogue. He aims to bring all voices to the table of religious pluralism that he sets with the “agenda” in this book. He and I have shared presentations on panels where the perspective centers on covenantal pluralism, the idea that a God who can treasure one faith community must have the will and power to treasure all moral communities of whatever faith or of no faith. May his efforts in articulating the agenda for his beloved Muslim community inspire other faith leaders to delve self-critically and responsibly into the resources within their own religions to move beyond tolerance to a loving and robust mutual appreciation. Our times need his voice and need others to speak out as well.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="x-el x-el-span px_-letter-spacing-normal px_-text-transform-none px_-fs-unset px_-ff-_Lato___arial__sans-serif px_-fw-700 x-d-ux" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dr. Harbans Lal</span>, Emeritus Professor, and Chairman, </strong><br />Dept of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, UNT Health Science Center, Texas</div>
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It is only recently that many courageous scholars and public servants began to tell what the real Islam was. Guru Nanak wrote hundreds of hymns in the Sikh scripture on who is a good Muslim. I am glad to see the recent book by Mike Ghouse. Mike began nearly 15 years ago to set the stage right. He started with a radio show on the world’s religions. I remember my frequent participation there and answering Mike’s piercing questions. Then he contributed hundreds of columns in leading newspapers and magazines. Now, he came up with his book that elucidates the purpose of religion in general and the role of Islam in particular as a member of the community of faiths. I recommend this book to the Muslim community and their neighbors who are the followers of other religions. In facts, the adherents of other religions might consider Mike’s approach in spreading the sacred words of the founders of their beliefs.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="x-el x-el-span px_-letter-spacing-normal px_-text-transform-none px_-fs-unset px_-ff-_Lato___arial__sans-serif px_-fw-700 x-d-ux" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dr. Zia H Shah MD, </span>Chief Editor of the Muslim Times International.</strong></div>
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This beautiful, well-written book, is the next level thinking for the Muslims, many of whom still live in the medieval paradigm of ‘them’ versus ‘us.’ Mike Ghouse is the Messiah for pluralism to pull the Muslims out of a sectarian vision, to a genuine universal brotherhood and sisterhood, befitting our global village, for the 21st century.</div>
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It is a must read for every Muslim living in the West, who is desirous of genuine integration, to benefit from all the good that rational and democratic human societies have to offer. By the same token, it is a must-read for every Westerner, who wants to grasp the genuine peaceful and inclusive vision of true Islam.</div>
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The book is a breath of fresh air, away from the political Islam of the Islamists or the Islamophobes, a futuristic vision of coexistence, where we not only tolerate our differences but celebrate them.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <span class="x-el x-el-span px_-letter-spacing-normal px_-text-transform-none px_-fs-unset px_-ff-_Lato___arial__sans-serif px_-fw-700 x-d-ux" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dr. Frank Islam</span>, Philanthropist, and a Scholar, Washington</strong><br />I am intrigued by the book, particularly the chapter on the Essence of Islam.<br />The great Talmudic sage Rabbi Hillel in the first century BC said, “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation of this—to study it!” Dr. Ghouse responds to Rabbi Hillel with a corollary on Islam, “God has created us into different races, religions, sizes, colors and other uniqueness’s, respecting the otherness of the other and accepting the God-given uniqueness is the whole Quran and the rest is the explanation of this – to study it.”</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="x-el x-el-span px_-letter-spacing-normal px_-text-transform-none px_-fs-unset px_-ff-_Lato___arial__sans-serif px_-fw-700 x-d-ux" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dr. Safi Kaskas</span>, Modern translator of Quran, his translations have been referenced in the book.</strong></div>
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Dr. Mike Ghouse is a courageous American Muslim. At a time when Muslims are under attack, he courageously stood tall and walked into the enemy’s camp to talk to them and to explain Islam as he knows it.</div>
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His book, American Muslim Agenda, is the summary of his experiences and vision for his Muslim community and America his country. I think we Muslims will be wise to listen to what he is saying and take steps away from our antiquated stands of us and them toward a new Quranic vision of competing in doing what is good.</div>
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The future of Muslims in America is what Muslims decide to make of it. In order to be successful, we need to think and really understand the environment in which we live. We also need to understand Islam with fresh eyes on the future, taking in consideration the need to find new solutions to the new problems we are facing without compromising our basic beliefs. This requires courage and resilience. It requires leadership coming from within the Muslim community, with the ability to unite and lead.</div>
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I have acknowledged the mistakes Muslims have made, including an apology to Jews, Christians, and Hindus and have offered solutions to go forward.</div>
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Every question you have about “American Muslims” will be answered<br />in a book signing event, or a special meeting you may consider organizing.</div>
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1. Why I wrote the book?<br />2. Muslim Woman President of the United States in 2036<br />3. What does it take to run for public office?<br />4. What are the 12 Islamic Values to shape future societies?<br />5. Why is this book a reference Manual?<br />6. Are Muslims a part of the American story?<br />7. What does it take to be an Amin?<br /><span style="border: 0px; font-size: 1rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">8. Spineless Muslim Leadership</span><span style="border: 0px; font-size: 1rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">9. Mistakes Muslims have made and fixing them</span>10. Rejecting public Sharia<br />11. Criticism of the Quran, Islam and the prophet<br />12. Dealing with conservatives<br />13. Pristine Islam<br />14. Extremism<br />15. More</div>
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Contact information:</div>
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Mike Ghouse<br />(214) 325-1916<br />Washington, DC<br /><a class="x-el x-el-a px_-letter-spacing-normal px_-text-transform-none px_-word-wrap-break-word px_-overflow-wrap-break-word px_-fs-16 px_-fw-400 px_-c-rgb101__129__19 px_-text-decoration-underline px_-d-inline px_-cursor-pointer px_-ff-_Lato___arial__sans-serif px__hover-c-rgb90__115__16 _mdpx_-fs-16 _lgpx_-fs-16 x-d-ux" href="mailto:AmericanMuslimAgenda@gmail.com" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; color: #00bcd5; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">AmericanMuslimAgenda@gmail.com</a></div>
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Dr. Mike Ghouse is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. His new book, the “American Muslim Agenda” guides Muslims and non-Muslims alike to mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill. The book will be available at the end of January 2019 in all the bookstores. Mike is a public speaker, author, interfaith wedding officiant, and the executive director of the Center for Pluralism in Washington, DC. More about him at <a class="x-el x-el-a px_-letter-spacing-normal px_-text-transform-none px_-word-wrap-break-word px_-overflow-wrap-break-word px_-fs-16 px_-fw-400 px_-c-rgb101__129__19 px_-text-decoration-underline px_-d-inline px_-cursor-pointer px_-ff-_Lato___arial__sans-serif px__hover-c-rgb90__115__16 _mdpx_-fs-16 _lgpx_-fs-16 x-d-ux" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeghouse/" rel="" style="border: 0px; color: #00bcd5; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeghouse/</a></div>
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Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-41838783125645150822018-12-30T03:01:00.000-08:002018-12-30T03:03:59.914-08:00Holocaust and Genocides <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 15.301px;">14<sup>th</sup> Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 15.301px;">Approx. 3:30 PM Sunday, January 27, 2019, | First Event at 2:00 PM<br />Jewish Muslim Perspectives on Mysticism at Islamic Society of the Washington Area<br />2701 Briggs Chaney Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20905 </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="color: blue;">CLICK FOR</span>: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holocaust-and-genocides-event-tickets-54157371155" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;">RSVP</a> | <a href="https://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com/2018/12/14th-annual-reflections-on-holocaust.html" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;">INFO</a> | <a href="http://centerforpluralism.com/mission-accomplished-at-the-center-for-pluralism/" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;">ABOUT</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Center for Pluralism and the World Muslim Congress are deeply committed to education and regularly bring Americans together to learn about each other’s joys and suffering. It is an initiative to build responsible civic societies, where justice and co-existence are our values.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The 14th Annual Holocaust and Genocides event is an effort to stand with all the men, women and children who have endured the apprehension of Holocaust, genocides, massacres, bombs, annihilation, land mines, hunger, rape, torture, occupation, and inhuman brutality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The least we can do in the process of healing is to acknowledge everyone's pain in one voice. We have begun the process of coming together as one people and stand with each other, we are indeed one world and only humanity, and caring for each other bring safety and peace to all of us. I cannot be safe if the people around me are not, and I will not have peace if people around me don't. It is in my interest to seek a peaceful world for one and all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is a shameless cruelty in us, either we shy away from facing or refuse to acknowledge the sufferings of others, worrying that it will devalue our own or somehow it amounts to infidelity to our cause. We cannot justify massacres arrogantly believing that the victims deserved it or asked for it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have to learn and to acknowledge and reflect upon the terrible things we have inflicted upon each other and have to commit to ourselves to resist the temptations to be prejudiced and stereotype others. We cannot demand peace unless we are peaceful ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This particular date was adopted by the sixtieth session of the United Nations on November 21, 2005, “Resolves that the United Nations will designate 27 January as an annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.” Our events are scheduled on Sundays to accommodate the Jewish community’s presence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our safety hinges on the safety of others around us, and it behooves us to work for the safety and security of others on this little planet. We have to be continuously aware of the Holocaust and Genocides and prepare us to avert such tragedies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are working on initiating a course on tolerance education, so one day; we all can learn to have a heart that opens to the pain of every human, yes, we can do that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bringing people to understand the suffering of people has been my drive, I must say that through this program, many non-Jewish people have come to know about the Holocaust for the first time. You can see pictures people from Atheist to Zoroastrians and everyone in between has been a part of this event. Moreover, everyone has shared a prayer in the past commemorations. We have to create the awareness to get people to become activists and speak up and Never say again.<br /><br />________________________________________________</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>FIRST EVENT AT 2:00 PM</b><o:p></o:p><br />Program: Getting Closer to God: Jewish and Muslim Perspectives on Mysticism<br /><br />Gabrial Abasi will speak on Selfless service and commitment to mysticism<br />Herb Levy is a teacher of Kabbalah<br />Andra Baylus will speak on the Sufi-inspired spiritual leader Meher Baba<br /><br />Organized by: Jewish Islamic Dialogue Society<br />________________________________________________</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>SECOND EVENT AT - Approx 3:30 PM</b><br />Program: 14th Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides<br /><br />Holocaust<br />Syrian Refugee Crisis<br />Rohingya Ethnic Cleansing - Bob Marro,<br />Uyghur Chinese Muslims - Omer Kanat<br />Crimean Tartars - Walter Ruby</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Organized by the Center for Pluralism<br /><br /><b>Supporting Organizations</b>:</span><br />
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jewish Islamic Dialogue Society- <a href="http://jids.org/" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;">http://Jids.org</a></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Islamic Society of the Washington Area - <a href="http://iswamd.org/" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;">http://iswamd.org/</a></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">World Muslim Congress - <a href="http://worldmuslimcongress.org/" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;">http://worldmuslimcongress.org/</a></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">JAMAAT - Jews Muslims and Allies acting together</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Foundation for Ethnic Understanding</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Center for Pluralism and the World Muslim Congress are deeply committed to education and relentlessly pursue building cohesive societies where no human has to live in apprehension and fear of the other.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>RSVP</b>: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holocaust-and-genocides-event-tickets-54157371155" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holocaust-and-genocides-event-tickets-54157371155</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><br />INFO</b>: </span><span style="font-style: normal; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com/2018/12/14th-annual-reflections-on-holocaust.html" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;">https://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com/2018/12/14th-annual-reflections-on-holocaust.html</a></span></span></address>
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<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br />ABOUT US</b>: <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://centerforpluralism.com/mission-accomplished-at-the-center-for-pluralism/" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;">http://centerforpluralism.com/mission-accomplished-at-the-center-for-pluralism/</a></span></span></span></address>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Mike Ghouse<br />(214) 325-1916<br /><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;">http://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: #0d0d4a; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="http://www.centerforpluralism.com/" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration-line: none;">http://www.CenterforPluralism.com</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dr. Mike Ghouse is a
public speaker, author, interfaith wedding officiant, executive director of the
Center for Pluralism in Washington, DC. He is committed to building cohesive
societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More at <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeghouse/"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeghouse/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></span></div>
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Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-10081969855998027432016-12-10T04:58:00.003-08:002016-12-10T04:58:27.340-08:00Make America Great Again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">At this point in history, we are going through difficult times. Whether you are on the right, left or the center, you are concerned about the liberties and freedoms of all Americans. The divisiveness, even though temporary, has caused us to lose trust in each other to function effectively as a nation.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So what can we do?<br /><br />Our President John Kennedy had famously urged us, “Ask not what the country can do - ask what you can do for your country.” and Professor William James had written that our actions can change the moods.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here is what we can to do to restore America where no Americans feels left out, but feels included in nation building.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Let’s close 2016 on a positive note, let’s come together as Americans, and celebrate our collective Festivals of Hanukkah, Christmas, Milad, Kwanza, Janamashtami, Gurpurab and the festivities of Native Americans, and other traditions including Atheist/Humanist. Each group will get to sing honoring their faith tradition.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />When we are together, it is uplifting!<br />We can change our moods! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-indent: 48px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The following video has clips from Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Milad, Janamashtami and other great celebrations. On the actual day of Festival of Faiths, Americans Together will celebrate their traditions. </span></span></span></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">Video </span></span><span style="line-height: 18.4px; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjhbRkN7soQ" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.5in;" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjhbRkN7soQ</span></a><b style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"> </span></b></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Details <a href="http://centerforpluralism.com/festival-of-faiths/" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.5in;" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">http://centerforpluralism.com/festival-of-faiths/</span></a></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Attend RSVP – <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrating-america-festival-of-faiths-tickets-30055750559" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">Eventbrite</span></a></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Sing? If your group likes to sing <a href="mailto:Register@Centerforpluralism.com" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.5in;" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">Register@Centerforpluralism.com</span></a><span style="line-height: 18.4px; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">List? Please send an email to <a href="mailto:Register@Centerforpluralism.com" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.5in;" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">Register@Centerforpluralism.com</span></a><span style="line-height: 18.4px; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Op-Ed<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Ask not what the President can do for us?” will be released soon</span></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">More <a href="http://centerforpluralism.com/Workshops" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.5in;" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">http://Centerforpluralism.com/Workshops</span></a></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Browse<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Tabs at </span><a href="http://www.centerforpluralism.com/" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0.5in;" target="_blank">www.Centerforpluralism.com</a></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Event<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Celebrating America –Festival of Faiths on Sunday, 12/18 – 12 to 2 PM</span></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Where<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Jefferson Memorial, Washington, DC </span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">***** </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">Dr. Mike Ghouse is founder and president of Center for Pluralism aka Americans Together. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. All about him in 65 links at </span><a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration: none;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">www.MikeGhouse.net</span></a></span></span></div>
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Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-57696018296497209882016-03-02T02:12:00.001-08:002016-03-02T02:12:34.595-08:00Can Muslims and Christians co-exist – Symposium report 1 of 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">Can Muslims and Christians co-exist – Symposium report 1 of 2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">San Antonio, TX, Saturday, February 27, 2916 -- Pastor Charles Flowers of Faith outreach center called on Christians and Muslims to share their perspectives on the subject matter in a symposium organized on Friday and Saturday.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">No matter how difficult these conversations are, they are necessary to understand and learn about each other. God almighty in Quran says, the best ones among you are those who take the time to learn about each other, when we learn about each other conflicts fade and solutions emerge. God has created everything in order and in balance, and human greed and insecurities knock this balance off, and God advises us to restore it for our own good. The act of restoration is indeed a religious inspiration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">Every religion is beautiful and each one is designed to bring peace, tranquility and salvation to oneself, one learns to live in peace with himself or herself and with others. There is a shortage of Pastors, Rabbis, Imams, Pundits and religious men and women who have the integrity to say that others religions must be equally beautiful. My daughter said when she was around 10, “Dad, if the pastor tells the truth that all religions are beautiful, why would any one flock to his church?" The minute one feels or claims that his faith is the truth (and others are not), and is superior, it is religion no more, politics and greed have taken over the soul. To sell religion and have larger congregations, one has to lie about other faiths, what a shame!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><br />Thanks to Pastor Flowers and Mrs. Janice Flowers for organizing this event, we were able to clarify a few misunderstandings, but a whole lot more needs to be done. God willing we will continue to strive to create heaven on the earth, where no one has to live in fear of the other. Pastor Flowers is a genuine guy, as he moderated the event with utmost sincerity and honesty, I applaud him for that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">Misinformation about Allah, Islam, Quran and the Prophet was painful to sit through and listen, particularly coming from my brothers who were former Muslims. May God bless them, and give them the knowledge to see that God is God of all humanity despite how we perceive him, her or it is one and the same. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">On the other hand, we (Muslims) have failed to question the authenticity of the Hadiths, Ibn Hisham's Seerah, the Sharia and the </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">exegesis</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"> by Tamiya, Katheer, Maududi, Banna and others. Some of us have put these books on par with Quran, which we should have never done. In the next few yeas, we will be ready to sign a joint declaration that Quran is the only book for Islam - and the only quotes from Quran about Islam will be considered authentic.<br /><br />We have to fix some of the Hadiths and Sharia books to be authentic and reflect Prophet Muhammad's character who was a mercy to mankind. I don't blame some of our friends from other faiths for being scared of what they read, and most of the time, they quote from these doubtful books, sincerely </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">believing</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"> that it is Islam. As a Muslim, Quran is the only book for me, the material in other book will be authentic, only if it contributes to building peaceful cohesive societies. (</span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/two-islams-the-mangledup-_b_5748280.html" style="color: #0c0c0c; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px; text-decoration: none;">Two Islams</a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">) </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">The format of the symposium did not allow me to present another point of view except shaking my head in disagreement when I heard things were way off. I was tempted to walk out a few times, instead I started scribbling Jesus' mantra to turn the other cheek, meaning don't do or say anything to aggravate the situation and started praying like them, asking the lord to forgive them, for they know not. </span></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">We cannot blame others for misunderstanding us without clarifying such misunderstandings, and making an effort to know others' perspective. We have a lot of work to do. As Muslims, we have the </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">responsibility</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"> to create a better world for all humanity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">The speakers included three former Muslims; Daniel Akbari, Kamal Saleem and Taufiq, and two practicing Muslims Raheel Reza and Mike Ghouse. Lt. Col. Roy White, and Joe Carey, both Christian Activists laid out the programs to counter Jihadis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">The social issues were addressed by four different speakers. Bishop Harry Jackson offered three lenses to look at the presidential candidates and I applaud him for his inclusivity, he responded positively if the candidate were a Muslim or a Hindu, if he or she would be qualified to serve. What a joy it was to hear him out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">Mrs. Alice Patterson presented how the primaries and precincts work. Her story of overcoming bias is worth listening to, and I have fought with myself not to have any bias towards another human and related with her story. Indeed she played a major role in organizing prayers when a Blackman </span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">Alfred Wright</span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"> was dragged to death in Jasper, Texas in 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"> Dr. Fernando Cabrera’s talk on education resonated with me, indeed, his parents told him exactly what my parents did – get education!<br /><br />Gilbert Hernandez’s presentation was a big hit for me, and I hope to dedicate time for his project. So many young men and women are lost to the vultures form Gangs and Drug cartels. Muslim Youth are also facing similar problems, as a community we are deeply concerned and want to do everything to safeguard our kids from being recruited by the extremists. Gilbert’s passion to save our youth is admirable and I hope to connect him with Muslim organizations, they have a good system down to address this sorry state of affairs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">Blessed are the peacemakers, said Jesus on Mount Beatitude, which Prophet Muhammad practiced, and became a mercy to the universe. Following in their footsteps, unwaveringly, I hung on to their wisdom and remained a conflict mitigater and a goodwill nurturer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">Raheel Raza and I gave our presentations on Friday night, which were received very well. I have full written up on my presentation, and will be available under the title of “My speech at San Antonio interfaith symposium about Muslims and Christians” at </span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://www.theghousediary.com/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">www.TheGhousediary.com</a></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><br /><br />My commentary on the presentations of Kamal Saleem, Daniel Akbari, Lt. Col. Roy White, and Joe Carey will be finalized after the video or audio presentation becomes available to make sure I can quote them verbatim.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">Pastor Charles Flowers concluded each segment with a summary and a graceful prayer. Fortunately, he chose to advance my calling that finding the truth is one's own responsibility. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">My last offering towards the very end of the program was that I will review each item and share my comments and suggestions about the program and publish it. Those who want to see another perspective are welcome to it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">My responsibility is to address the phobias and allay the fears; no American has to live in apprehensions or fear of fellow Americans. My role is to build bridges and free my friends from ill-will and malice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">Yes, Muslims and Christians have coexisted and will continue to do so, despite the shortcomings on both sides that mess up the relationships. I'll summarize the historical, theological and social perspectives at a newspaper and then at the websites American Muslim Institution and ATF. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">This is one of the rarest conferences I have attended where the host has set the highest standards of hospitality. How many people can I thank? Rosalie Astran, Zulmarie Santiago, Abraham Martinez and of course,<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">Twenty years from now our pastors, imams, rabbis, pundits, shamans and all the religious clergy will be telling the truth – that faith is in the heart of the believer just as beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.<br /><br />My faith is Islam and it is not superior to any religion, nor is any religion superior to Islam, claiming superiority is arrogance, and God in Islam does not favor arrogance, as it is the root cause of all evil and conflicts. Most Muslims get that right and a few don’t, just as with all other religions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">May God bring humility to us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">Thank you,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">Mike Ghouse, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">(214) 325-1916<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">Washington, DC <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, newsmaker and a professional speaker on </span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://foundationforpluralism.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="http://foundationforpluralism.blogspot.com/">Pluralism</a></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">, </span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://http/www.mikeghouse.net/InterfaithSpeaker_MikeGhouse.asp" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="http://http//www.mikeghouse.net/InterfaithSpeaker_MikeGhouse.asp">Interfaith</a></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">, </span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://www.worldmuslimcongress.com/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="http://www.worldmuslimcongress.com/">Islam</a></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">, </span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://http/centerforamericanpolitics.blogspot.com/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="http://http//centerforamericanpolitics.blogspot.com/">politics</a></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">, </span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://www.standingupforothers.com/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="http://www.standingupforothers.com/">human rights</a></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;">, and foreign policy. Mike is committed to building </span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://americatogetherfoundation.com/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="http://americatogetherfoundation.com/">cohesive societies</a></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"> and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him in 63 links at </span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="http://www.mikeghouse.net/">www.MikeGhouse.net</a></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"> and his writings are at </span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://theghousediary.com/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;" title="http://theghousediary.com/">TheGhousediary.com</a></span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 24px;"> </span></div>
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Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-78059375347682382922016-01-26T16:55:00.000-08:002016-01-26T16:55:26.065-08:00Interfaith Language (Shouting v Chanting)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Interfaith Language | http://FoundationforPluralism.blogspot.com<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As a Pluralist (i.e., respecting the otherness of others) my ears are trained to be sensitive. In one of hte discussion we had going, a Professor wrote, “Thousands of them (Hindus) are "roaming" along the banks of the Ganges in Kashi/Gaya (India) shouting "Hare-Ram! Hare Ram!"<br /><br />My response?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dear Professor, I would prefer, “Chanting Hare Ram, Hare Ram” to the phrase “shouting Hare-Ram! Hare Ram!" Likewise, I would prefer Chanting Allahu Akbar ra<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">ther than shouting Allahu Akbar.<br /><br />We have do the best we can in choosing the words that would not hurt others. Words can change one’s attitude towards you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks<br />Mike Ghouse<br /><a href="http://www.interfaithspeaker.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.InterfaithSpeaker.com</a></span></div>
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Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-56552670698761434122016-01-26T16:53:00.000-08:002016-01-26T16:53:19.060-08:00Genuine Interfaith Dialouge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c0c0c;">Genuine Interfaith Dialogue | FoundationforPluralism.blogspot.com</span><br /><span style="color: #0c0c0c;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c0c0c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">In a Genuine interfaith dialogue, we respect the otherness of others and never claim our faith to be superior to the other as it amounts to arrogance. Religion is about humility that builds bridges between peoples and the communities, and not about arrogance which kills relationships and breeds conflicts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">One of the key things about genuine interfaith dialogue is to develop the ability to see the beauty in other faiths, without having the anxiety to flaunt yours as the best. If we were selling religion like used cars, we have to put others down to make ours look better.<br /><br />But religion is not a business, it is a system to help an<span style="color: #0c0c0c;"> individual achieve his or her own peace within, and peace with what surrounds; life and matter.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c0c0c;">When my daughter was going to the Baptist Church, I mentioned to her that if the Pastor decides to denigrate other faiths in his sermons, don't be gullible to buy it. She came back with a powerful response, "Dad, if the Pastor tells all religions are equal or beautiful, why would people go to his congregation?" He has to tell the people that others are not worthy.<br /><br />Is religion a business? Is one's income tied to the number of congregants? Ultimately what difference does it make if you believe in God the Christian way, Muslim, Hindu or any other way? God loves his creation, all of his creation, and if he does not, then why do we need a God like that?<br /><br />Over the years, I have heard different versions of the following sentences uttered by Imams, Rabbis, Pastors, Pundits and clergy from other faiths. "No other faith offers this connection with God" - "Only _______ offers salvation" - "Our faith is based on science", " _____ is a very logical faith", "No other faith gives a purpose in life like our _______ faith, " Every time I hear that, I cringe. Why are they duping their congregants? I make quick notes and invariably ask the clergy, if they were aware that other faiths also offer the same ideals, here they are.... they walk away, or double down on it. </span><br /><span style="color: #0c0c0c;"><br /></span><span style="color: #0c0c0c;">A few have said to me, look, if people want to believe in my claims, let them. </span><span style="color: #0c0c0c;">I reminded them that it borders on dishonesty, as a religious person, doesn't he owe the truth to his congregants? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c0c0c;">I hope a day will come when more of us can speak about other religions honestly and sincerely. That is, for a Jew to speak about Christianity as a Christian would speak and vice-versa, a Hindu to speak about Islam as a Muslim would speak and vice versa, and for a Sunni Muslim to speak about Shia, as a Shia would speak about his tradition. We should have the integrity to articulate other people’s faith honestly, or have the common sense to believe that others faiths must be equally good for them to follow. </span><br /><span style="color: #0c0c0c;"><br />You are who you are, and I am who I am. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c0c0c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">I can never be like you, nor can you ever be like me,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #050a33; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0c0c0c;">Your faith is as dear to you, as my faith is dear to me.<br />I like my faith as you like yours, but...<br /><br /> I will never claim my faith is superior, as it generates conflict, and religion is not about conflict, it is about removal of apprehension and bringing peace.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #050a33; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0c0c0c;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #0c0c0c;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As I study the beauty of all faiths, I pick things here and there to share. Here is a chapter from Quran, called Kafirun, which has the similar language as the above four lines, and I am hoping to hear from my fellow religionists to share something like this from their tradition. No religion is superior to the other, period! Here it is - <a href="http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/07/sura-kafirun-un-believers.html" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/07/sura-kafirun-un-believers.html</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c0c0c;">You will find a handful of religious people, who are honest enough to acknowledge the beauty of other faiths, without worrying that their faiths will become less valuable, or others may criticize you.</span><span style="background: white; color: #141823;">Again, I am blessed to have written up about every faith tradition; you can Google search the following:</span><span style="color: #0c0c0c;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Atheist Mike Ghouse</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Bahai Mike Ghouse</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Buddhist Mike Ghouse</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Christian Mike Ghouse</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Hindu Mike Ghouse</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Jain Mike Ghouse</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Jewish Mike Ghouse</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Native American Mike Ghouse</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Pagan Mike Ghouse</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Sikh Mike Ghouse</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Wicca Mike Ghouse</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Zoroastrian Mike Ghouse</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">You can also Google Search</span><ol>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><u>Name of (most major) a Festival </u>Mike Ghouse</span></li>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o6SVTkEM0rI/Vp0ySoIAwKI/AAAAAAAAjac/TYzaA_yI8aQ/s1600/InterfaithSpeaker.MikeGhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0c0c0c; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o6SVTkEM0rI/Vp0ySoIAwKI/AAAAAAAAjac/TYzaA_yI8aQ/s1600/InterfaithSpeaker.MikeGhouse.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">God has blessed me with the ability to stand up for every one, and I have to complete compiling the list, meanwhile, you can check these out.</span><ol>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Standing up for Atheists - <a href="http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/04/speaking-up-for-atheists.html" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/04/speaking-up-for-atheists.html</a></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Standing up for Christians - <a href="http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/01/standing-with-christians.html" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/01/standing-with-christians.html</a></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Standing up for Hindus - <a href="http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/04/standing-with-hindus.html" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/04/standing-with-hindus.html</a></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Standing up for Jews - <a href="http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/02/standing-up-with-jews.html" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/02/standing-up-with-jews.html</a></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Standing up for Sikhs - <a href="http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/08/standing-up-for-sikhs.html" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/08/standing-up-for-sikhs.html</a></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Standing up GLBT - <a href="http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/05/standing-up-for-gays-and-lesbians.html" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/05/standing-up-for-gays-and-lesbians.html</a></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Standing up for Immigrants - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrjU0KULv-Y" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrjU0KULv-Y</a></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Standing up for others - to be completed. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on <a href="http://foundationforpluralism.com/" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">Pluralism</a>, <a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/InterfaithSpeaker_MikeGhouse.asp" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">Interfaith</a>, <a href="http://www.worldmuslimcongress.com/" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">Islam</a>, <a href="http://http//centerforamericanpolitics.blogspot.com/" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">politics</a>,<a href="http://terrorismcounter.blogspot.com/" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;"> terrorism</a>, <a href="http://www.standingupforothers.com/" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">human rights</a>, <a href="http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">India</a>, <a href="http://www.israelpalestinedialogue.com/" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">Israel-Palestine</a> and foreign policy. He is committed to building <a href="http://americatogetherfoundation.com/" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">cohesive societies</a> and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net for his writings at TheGhousediary.com and several blogs listed there in. </span></div>
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Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-8434237152749207042015-11-20T03:31:00.003-08:002015-11-20T03:31:50.005-08:00#Muslim Rally against ISIS on the steps of Lincoln Center<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="line-height: 21.56px;"><span style="line-height: 22.8267px;"><b>PRESS RELEASE</b></span></span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;"><span style="line-height: 22.8267px;"><br />Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916<br />Mike@AmericanMuslimInstitution.org<br />website: <a href="http://www.americanmusliminstitution.org/" style="color: #183e7c; text-decoration: none;">www.AmericanMuslimInstitution.org</a></span></span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="color: #c00000; line-height: 21.56px;"><span style="line-height: 22.8267px;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="line-height: 21.56px;"></span><span style="color: #c00000; line-height: 21.56px;"><span style="line-height: 22.8267px;"><b>American Muslims against ISIS gather up on the steps of Lincoln Memorial</b></span></span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;"><span style="line-height: 16.478px;">Washington, DC, November 19, 2015 – Muslims around the world and particularly Americans Muslims have been sick of the terrorists, particularly the ISIS and the Al-Qaeda guys ever since they started terrorizing the lives of innocent people. We mourn the loss of lives in France, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Nigeria and elsewhere in the world and firmly stand against the terrorists.</span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20.02px;" /><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xq_gV7wm2c4/Vky7RGmm6tI/AAAAAAAAiTI/wCGyKJOWRyQ/s1600/Lincoln%2BMemorial.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #00589d; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xq_gV7wm2c4/Vky7RGmm6tI/AAAAAAAAiTI/wCGyKJOWRyQ/s400/Lincoln%2BMemorial.jpeg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(236, 236, 236); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="line-height: 21.56px;"><span style="line-height: 16.478px;"><br />Given the short notice prior to the Thanksgiving weekend, the Muslims of Washington, DC have organized a gathering of Americans of different faiths to come together on the steps of Lincoln Memorial and make the statements of condemnations.</span><span style="line-height: 16.478px;">We hope this event effectively conveys a message to the terrorists that the world is against them, and that we are all in this together; opposing terrorism and condemning ISIS. </span></span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;"><span style="line-height: 16.478px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 16.478px;">You are all invited to join us on the steps of Lincoln Memorial:</span></span></span></span><br />
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Date: 11/20/15</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Day: Friday |</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Time: 3:00 -4:30 PM </span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Place: On the steps of Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC</span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Website: </span><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><a href="http://www.americanmusliminstitution.org/" style="color: #183e7c; line-height: 19.6px; text-decoration: none;">www.AmericanMuslimInstitution.org</a></span></span></li>
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<span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xq_gV7wm2c4/Vky7RGmm6tI/AAAAAAAAiTI/wCGyKJOWRyQ/s1600/Lincoln%2BMemorial.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #183e7c; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="line-height: 21.56px;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 16.478px;">The purpose of this gathering is to send a clear message to the ISIS and their ilk, that American Muslims are angry about their actions. They are to be charged for the violations of human rights, forcing women into slavery, conversions at gun point, harassment of Christians, Yazidis, Shias, Jews, Sunnis and other minorities, and most certainly creating chaos and abusing the name of Islam.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br /><br /><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">We cannot tolerate any of these acts and we urge our president to speak out in behalf of fellow humans, and give them three days notice to back off, surrender, and repent for their actions or face the consequences.</span><br /><br /><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">We invite Americans of all faiths and no faiths to join us in standing up against ISIS. Yes, we the Muslims are as angry as average American. Indeed, we are all in this together.</span><br /><br /><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">We pledge that we are one nation under the flag, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.</span></span></span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Please join us on the steps of Lincoln Memorial.<br /><br /># # #</span></span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 21.56px;"></span><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b><span style="color: blue;">SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS</span></b></span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><br />We will be listing as many participating organizations as we can. Please send an email with the name of your organization, website and your phone number, and we will add to the list below.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20.02px;"><span style="line-height: 21.56px;">01. ADAMS Center, All Dulles Area Muslim Society</span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;">02. American Muslim Institution, Washington, DC</span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;">03. Washington Area Jews for Jewish Muslim Understanding</span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;">04. Geotrees, An Intercultural Crossroads for the History of the Future</span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;">05. Islamic Community Center of Potomac</span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;">06. Foundation for Pluralism</span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;">07. The world Organization for Resources development and Education.</span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;">08. Muslims for Peace, Justice and Progress </span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;">09. United Maryland Muslim Council</span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;">10. Howard County Muslim Council</span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;">11. UMA Interfaith Alliance</span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;">12. Muslim Community Center of Maryland</span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;">13. Montgomery County Muslim Foundation</span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;">14. Islamic Center of Greater Toledo </span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;">15. Islamic Center of Long Island</span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;">16. IMANA International Collaboration</span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;">17. UMMAA Broadcasting</span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><span style="line-height: 21.56px;">18. Hillside Islamic Center New Hyde Park NY</span><br style="line-height: 21.56px;" /><br /><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">We appreciate the PSA announcements from Stuart Varney and Jennie Lubart of Fox News and we invite them to cover this event. </span></span></div>
Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-41866669554921472202015-06-07T21:07:00.001-07:002015-06-07T21:07:12.471-07:00McKinney Texas; police brutality is not acceptable, we demand an investigation.<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3000001907349px; line-height: 20.0200004577637px;"><span style="line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"><strong style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.1000003814697px; padding: 0in;">Mayor Brian Loughmiller </span></strong></span><strong style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.1000003814697px; padding: 0in;">and council Members </span></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-weight: normal; line-height: 23.1000003814697px; padding: 0in;">City of McKinney, Texas</span></strong><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; line-height: 23.1000003814697px; padding: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; line-height: 23.1000003814697px; padding: 0in;">Honorable Mayor Loughmiller,</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f6f7f8; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f6f7f8; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">In reference to the </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">mistreatment</span><span style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"> of fellow Americans by your police force, </span></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 16.4779987335205px;">We hope you will do the right thing. Indeed, you will have the benefit of doubt until you fix the problem.</span><br /><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 16.4779987335205px;"><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">The mistreatment of fellow men and women who are Black amounts to slapping God for creating us in so many tribes, communities, races, ethnicities and faiths. If God is not in your equation, that is your choice, you have your freedom, but it will create distrust in the society, which will lead to anarchy and chaos. None of us want that to happen.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br /><br /><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Video</span></b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">-<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 16.4779987335205px;"><a href="http://photographyisnotacrime.com/2015/06/texas-cop-goes-on-violent-rampage-at-pool-party/" style="color: #165288; float: left; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Link: http://photographyisnotacrime.com/2015/06/texas-cop-goes-on-violent-rampage-at-pool-party/"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eF96QjAjetI/VXUGbZGsJEI/AAAAAAAAfyI/AvPq2GO1dsY/s1600/Police.brutalityinMcKinney.not.acceptable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #165288; float: left; line-height: 21.5599994659424px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;"><br /></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #e50774; padding: 0in;">http://photographyisnotacrime.com/2015/06/texas-cop-goes-on-violent-rampage-at-pool-party/ <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l-y3pKLf0Ks/VXUUSYcxK2I/AAAAAAAAfyg/_tJroPrcB24/s1600/Police%2Bbrutality%2Bin%2BMcKinney..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0c0c0c; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l-y3pKLf0Ks/VXUUSYcxK2I/AAAAAAAAfyg/_tJroPrcB24/s400/Police%2Bbrutality%2Bin%2BMcKinney..jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
</span><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333;"><br /></span></b><span style="color: #333333;"><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">........</span><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">A few in your police force lack sensitivity and as a civil society that is not acceptable, not at all. There was no need to use the foul language to show off his authority, was he trained to stereotype the Blacks, that they will understand foul language? There is discipline and there is an abuse, a police officer is a protector of the safety of our citizens and not an abuser towards those who look different. All of this needs to be addressed and investigated thoroughly.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.4779987335205px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 16.4779987335205px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">We have come a long way in learning to respect the otherness of others. Our founding fathers laid it out in our immortal declaration of independence that we were all created equal, indeed we are. That declaration pays the highest tribute to God, that he created all of us with his will. God is a good guy and we need to accept his will for each one of us to be different.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.4779987335205px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">To those men and women who are biased towards the others, please wake up, and don’t live in fear and pass that on to your children. Don’t mess with their future, and don’t make them unfits to live in a pluralistic society. Very soon, you will find people of different faiths, cultures, ethnicities, races, nationalities and social backgrounds working, eating, playing, marrying, and doing things together. Prepare them for it, rather than prison them in your own tiny silos.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br /><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">We need to prepare ourselves for those eventualities to prevent possible conflicts, and lay a good foundation for nurturing goodwill and effective functioning of the societies. Exclusive communities will become a thing of the past. If you live amidst others, you must also respect the otherness of others, as you expect them to do the same for you.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Let’s be brave and free and learn to live and let live</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; line-height: 16.4779987335205px;">.<span class="apple-converted-space"><br /><br />If you agree, please sign and share this petition<br /><a href="https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/McKinney_Texas_Mayor_Brian_Loughmiller_McKinney_Police_to_be_investigated_for_training/?nyAtaab" style="color: #165288; text-decoration: none;">https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/McKinney_Texas_Mayor_Brian_Loughmiller_McKinney_Police_to_be_investigated_for_training/?nyAtaab</a></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.3000001907349px; line-height: 20.0200004577637px;"><span style="background: rgb(246, 247, 248); line-height: 16.4779987335205px;"><br /><br /><br />Mike Ghouse<br />American Together Foundation</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 16.4779987335205px;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8;">www.AmericansTogether.org </span>2665 Villa Creek Dr<br /><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8;">Dallas, Texas 75234</span><br /><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8;">(214) 325-1916</span><br /><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8;">MikeGhouse@aol.com </span></span></span></div>
Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-14222283138999259542015-05-29T04:47:00.000-07:002015-05-29T19:42:25.263-07:00Pheonix bikers draw cartoons of Prophet Muhamad <div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 17.7099990844727px;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.7099990844727px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">PRESS RELEASE</span></b></span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"> Contact:<br />Mike Ghouse, President<br />America Together Foundation<br />Dallas, TX | Washington DC<br />(214) 325-1916</span><span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><a href="mailto:MikeGhouse@aol.com" style="color: #165288; text-decoration: none;"><br />MikeGhouse@aol.com</a></span><span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><a href="http://www.americanstogether.org/" style="color: #165288; text-decoration: none;">www.AmericansTogether.org</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><br /><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Let the Bikers draw Muhammad Cartoons in Arizona</span></b></span><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Mike Ghouse of America Together Foundation, has released</span><span style="line-height: 24px;"> the following</span><span style="line-height: 24px;"> statements.</span><br /><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br />Let this be clear to my fellow Americans, w</span><span style="line-height: 24px;">e all have a collective responsibility to communicate and u</span><span style="line-height: 24px;">nderstand different values and learn to respect the otherness of others. ( An appeal to add to Friday Sermons is also made at the bottom). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let the Bikers draw cartoons of the Prophet, look to this as an opportunity to follow the practice of the prophet, he was a mercy to mankind and it is time for Muslims to demonstrate that. What did he do when he was harassed on his way to Taif? He prayed in the tradition of Jesus, "forgive them God, for they know not". God's will was to show a way to build better societies by mitigating conflicts and nurturing goodwill and not aggravating it. Thus he turned the other check as Jesus had and prayed for the well being of all.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br />This Friday, I urge Muslims around American Mosques to open up their hearts an minds of understanding, instead of sulking, retrieving to a corner, getting angry or harboring ill-will, I ask them to pray for the well being of Biker Americans in their Friday Sermons across the land and hopefully across the globe. Let them make an effort to build a cohesive America where no American has to live in apprehension or fear of the other. Let’s do our part right and seek God’s help in repairing our relationships.</span><br /><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I request the Islamic Community Center in Phoenix to welcome the guests with abundant supply of bottled water, leave it on the tables outside. If I can make it, I would like to be there and meet with our biker brothers and sisters. I am one of them in free spirit, and one of you in practicing Prophet’s kindness. More details at: <a href="http://www.americanstogether.org/" style="color: #165288; text-decoration: none;">www.AmericansTogether.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />The free speech is an enduring value and the hallmark of civilizations, and we simply cannot compromise on it, however much a few may abuse it. Indeed, Free speech is one strong element that will bind Americans together. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Criticism can fade away or rain on us depending on how we respond to it. Lack of conviction in one's faith breeds intolerance towards criticism, whereas firmness in faith can lead us to learn from criticism, explore the infinite wisdom and realize the strength of our faith (Imaan); a worthy feeling to have, instead of living in doubt and shooing criticism away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We need to handle criticism of Quran, Islam and the Prophet with grace, and respond to it gracefully. At least it increases the chances of mitigating the conflict and restoring harmony. The other way around is fighting back, which guarantees further aggravation of the conflict and isolation. Let freedom of speech remain the corner stone of Islam.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">I urge fellow Muslims to be open to all the criticism with confidence, let the doors of communications be open. Islam stands on its own; it does not need our defense, and it is silly to protect God or the Prophet, they are not weaklings or our property to protect, they belong to the whole universe, don't they?<br /><br /><b>APPEAL FOR FRIDAY SERMONS:</b></span><br /><span style="font-stretch: normal;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-stretch: normal;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">I hope and pray that we will let the world know that Prophet Muhammad was a mercy to mankind, through our acts. God willing, over a period of time, we will replace the wrong perceptions accumulated about us in the last 30 years, and go back to good times of respecting each other. Ask your Imam to pray for the well being, safety and security of every American whether we agree with him or not. Prophet </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">Muhammad</span><span style="line-height: 24px;"> was all about mitigating conflicts and nurturing good will, and let's consciously do that, so once again the world can believe that Prophet Muhammad was a mercy to mankind. </span></span><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />As Muslims we seriously appreciate the gains we have had, that far outweigh the tensions given by a few who know not.<br /># # #<br /><br /><b> References:</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">Dealing with Quran burning conflicts</span></b>, a movie is on the horizon about free speech: <a href="http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2014/04/reestablishing-right-muslim-attitudes.html" style="color: #165288; text-decoration: none;">http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2014/04/reestablishing-right-muslim-attitudes.html</a></span></span></li>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #073763;">Dealing with someone who cursed Qura</span>n</b><span style="line-height: 24px;"> – </span><a href="http://www.quraanconference.com/" style="color: black; line-height: 24px; text-decoration: none;">www.QuraanConference.co</a>m</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #073763;">Dealing with Pamela Geller</span> </b><a href="http://americatogetherfoundation.blogspot.com/2015/05/pamela-geller-and-garland-shooting.html" style="color: black; line-height: 24px; text-decoration: none;">http://americatogetherfoundation.blogspot.com/2015/05/pamela-geller-and-garland-shooting.html</a></span></li>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Working with Sean Hannity of Fox News</b> </span><a href="http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2014/06/youre-dangerous-sparks-fly-between.html" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2014/06/youre-dangerous-sparks-fly-between.html</a></span></li>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Criticism of Islam, Prophet and Quran<br /><a href="http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/11/criticism-of-islam-prophet-muhammad.html" style="color: #165288; text-decoration: none;">http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/11/criticism-of-islam-prophet-muhammad.html</a></span><span family="SANSSERIF" lang="0" ptsize="10" style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">Thank you</span><span family="SCRIPT" lang="0" ptsize="12" style="font-family: 'Viner Hand ITC'; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br style="font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 21.5599994659424px; text-align: center;">
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<span family="SCRIPT" lang="0" ptsize="12" style="font-family: 'Viner Hand ITC'; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;">mike</span></span><span family="SANSSERIF" lang="0" ptsize="10" style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><br />Mike Ghouse, Speaker<br />Motivation | Pluralism | Human Rights | Religion.<br />(214) 325-1916 text/talk</span><span family="SANSSERIF" lang="0" ptsize="10" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><br />............................................................................................................................... </span><span family="SANSSERIF" lang="0" ptsize="10" style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 23.1000003814697px;"><br />Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on <a href="http://foundationforpluralism.blogspot.com/" style="color: #165288; text-decoration: none;">Pluralism</a>, <a href="http://www.worldmuslimcongress.com/" style="color: #165288; text-decoration: none;">Islam</a>,<a href="http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/" style="color: #165288; text-decoration: none;">India</a>, <a href="http://www.israelpalestinedialouge.com/" style="color: #165288; text-decoration: none;">Israel-Palestine</a>, <a href="http://centerforamericanpolitics.blogspot.com/" style="color: #165288; text-decoration: none;">Politics</a> and other issues of the day. He is a human rights activist, and his book standing up for others will be out soon | He is producing a full feature film " <a href="http://www.worldmuslimcongress.com/" style="color: #165288; text-decoration: none;">Sacred</a>" to be released on 9/11 and a documentary "<a href="http://www.americatogetherfoundation.com/" style="color: #165288; text-decoration: none;">Americans together</a>" for a July 4 release. He is a frequent guest commentator on Fox News with Sean Hannity and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in 63 links at <a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/" style="color: #165288; text-decoration: none;">www.MikeGhouse.net</a> and his writings are at <a href="http://www.theghousediary.com/" style="color: #165288; text-decoration: none;">www.TheGhousediary.com</a> - Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. </span></li>
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Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-42264588510691403242015-05-07T19:36:00.001-07:002015-05-07T19:36:03.060-07:00Mother's Day Interfaith Celebrations - Huffington Post<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2b0c3e; direction: ltr; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mother is the ultimate definition of selflessness! No matter what happens to the world or even her, she is there for you in your need; she recognizes your need much before you know it. Of course every day is Mother's day, and each one of us honors her in a variety of ways. From simple caring to doing things for her that makes her happy. Mothers don't need a whole lot; they just need to know that you care. Remember you were showered by her attention when you needed it.</span></div>
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<a href="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2015-05-07-1431017127-5376304-Mothersday.Huffingtonpost.MikeGhouse.black.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0c1f3e; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="2015-05-07-1431017127-5376304-Mothersday.Huffingtonpost.MikeGhouse.black.jpg" height="388" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2015-05-07-1431017127-5376304-Mothersday.Huffingtonpost.MikeGhouse.black-thumb.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;" width="570" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every religious tradition has elevated mother to nearly the status of God, because she possess many a qualities of God; kind, merciful, beneficent and caring among thousand other qualities. Mother is the reason for our existence; sustenance, nurturance and shaping who we are. I dedicate this write-up to my Mother, and all the Mothers out there. There is a beautiful song in Urdu/Hindi language<br /><br />Full Report with Mother as she is called in over hundred global languages and almost all South Asian Languages - continued at: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/mothers-day-interfaith-ce_b_7233900.html" style="color: #0c1f3e; text-decoration: none;">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/mothers-day-interfaith-ce_b_7233900.html</a><br /><br /># # #</span></div>
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<em style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Century, Times, serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day- all about him at www.MikeGhouse.net</em></div>
Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-90692726411032128452015-04-02T05:32:00.002-07:002015-04-02T05:32:14.625-07:00Celebrations of Easter, Mahavir Jayanti and Hanuman Jayanti<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.0200004577637px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CELEBRATIONS | Easter, Mahavir Jayanthi, Hanuman Jayanti</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every human and every religious group celebrates some thing or the other in their own way, each one is different, but the essence is same; celebrations. Details in the links.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GOOD FRIDAY| HAPPY EASTER | MUSLIM OBSERVANCE<br /><a href="http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/03/what-made-me-go-to-catholic-church.html" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/03/what-made-me-go-to-catholic-church.html</a><br /><br />MAHAVIR JAYANTHI - BIRTH CELEBRATIONS OF MAHAVIR, FOUNDER OF JAINISM<br /><a href="http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/2012/04/mahavir-jayanthi-birthday-celebrations.html" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/2012/04/mahavir-jayanthi-birthday-celebrations.html</a><br /><br />HANUMAN JAYANTI - CELEBRATION OF LORD HANUMAN, HINDU ICON<br /><a href="http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/happy-hanuman-jayanthi-hindu-festival.html" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/happy-hanuman-jayanthi-hindu-festival.html</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pod2byC6OYc/VR01_ii0kTI/AAAAAAAAfGs/GxHBtAfV5O8/s1600/Celebrations.Hanuman.Mahavir.Easter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #212c6a; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pod2byC6OYc/VR01_ii0kTI/AAAAAAAAfGs/GxHBtAfV5O8/s1600/Celebrations.Hanuman.Mahavir.Easter.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(228, 228, 228); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span family="SANSSERIF" lang="0" ptsize="10">Thank you</span><span family="SCRIPT" lang="0" ptsize="12"><br /></span><span family="SANSSERIF" lang="0" ptsize="10"><br />Mike Ghouse, President<br />America Together Foundation<br />(214) 325-1916 text/talk</span><span family="SANSSERIF" lang="0" ptsize="10"><br />............................................................................................................................... </span><span family="SANSSERIF" lang="0" ptsize="10"><br />Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on <a href="http://foundationforpluralism.blogspot.com/" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">Pluralism</a>,<a href="http://www.worldmuslimcongress.com/" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">Islam</a>, <a href="http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">India</a>, <a href="http://www.israelpalestinedialouge.com/" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">Israel-Palestine</a>, <a href="http://centerforamericanpolitics.blogspot.com/" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">Politics</a> and other issues of the day. He is a human rights activist, and his book standing up for others will be out soon | He is producing a full feature film " <a href="http://www.worldmuslimcongress.com/" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">Sacred</a>" to be released on 9/11 and a documentary "<a href="http://www.americatogetherfoundation.com/" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">Americans together</a>" for a July 4 release. He is a frequent guest commentator on Fox News and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in 63 links at<a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">www.MikeGhouse.net</a> and his writings are at <a href="http://www.theghousediary.com/" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">www.TheGhousediary.com</a> - Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. </span></span></div>
Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-78992497785653813532015-01-23T13:02:00.003-08:002015-01-23T13:47:19.446-08:00Hacking Islamophobia<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20.0200004577637px;">
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Old way:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Complain, hold rallies and demonstrate <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />2. Write, speak and challenge<br />3. Attack the other</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a better way- i.e., To know the other</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phobias are baseless fear of others</span></div>
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Q. Why do others fear Muslims?<br />A. Because they don't know us.</div>
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Quran 49:13 and several verses say the best ones among you are the ones who learn about each other. Knowledge leads to understanding and understanding to acceptance of the otherness of the other, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tp1UDHtrEJQ/VMK-72YNkbI/AAAAAAAAeQQ/UqVfpvU-aFM/s1600/Hacking.Islamophobia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20.0200004577637px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tp1UDHtrEJQ/VMK-72YNkbI/AAAAAAAAeQQ/UqVfpvU-aFM/s1600/Hacking.Islamophobia.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(231, 231, 231); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />How will they get to know us if we sit at home and talk and talk?</div>
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Join us on Sunday 3-6 PM at Unity of Dallas 6525 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX 75234 details <a href="http://www.holocaustandgenocides.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.HolocaustandGenocides.com</a></div>
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<br />Thank you</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Join us</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Sunday 3-6 PM at Unity of Dallas<br />6525 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX 75234<br />details <a href="http://www.holocaustandgenocides.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.holocaustandgenocides.com/">www.HolocaustandGenocides.com</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br /><b>A few Articles</b></span><br /><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">American Muslim Agenda - <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/american-muslim-agenda-a-_b_5528706.html" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/american-muslim-agenda-a-_b_5528706.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/american-muslim-agenda-a-_b_5528706.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sacred, the film -<a href="http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2014/04/reestablishing-right-muslim-attitudes.html" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2014/04/reestablishing-right-muslim-attitudes.html">http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2014/04/reestablishing-right-muslim-attitudes.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do we connect with the Prophet - <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/how-i-connect-with-prophet-muhammad_b_2547782.html" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/how-i-connect-with-prophet-muhammad_b_2547782.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/how-i-connect-with-prophet-muhammad_b_2547782.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Are Muslims Part of the American Story? -<a href="http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2009/04/are-muslims-part-of-american-story.html" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2009/04/are-muslims-part-of-american-story.html">http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2009/04/are-muslims-part-of-american-story.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our Mission - <a href="http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/01/mission-of-world-muslim-congress.html" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;" title="http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/01/mission-of-world-muslim-congress.html">http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/01/mission-of-world-muslim-congress.html</a></span></div>
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Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-33730955638213079322015-01-22T03:00:00.002-08:002015-01-22T03:00:26.647-08:00Holocaust and Genocides Commemoration in Dallas<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 15.1800003051758px;">The purpose of this event is education</span><span style="line-height: 15.1800003051758px;">, information and activism. W</span></span><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">e hope to learn and acknowledge our failings and make a personal commitment to do our individual share of saying “Never Again”. </span></span></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15.1800003051758px;">Event: 8th Annual Holocaust and Genocides</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15.1800003051758px;">Date: Sunday, January 25, 2015</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15.1800003051758px;">Time: 3:00- 6:00 PM</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15.1800003051758px;">Place: Unity of Dallas</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15.1800003051758px;">Address: 6525 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX 75230</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Rsvp: <a href="mailto:holocaustandgenocides@gmail.com" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration: none;">holocaustandgenocides@gmail.com</a></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Rsvp: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/306824256177609/" style="color: #0d0d4a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-decoration: none;" title="https://www.facebook.com/events/306824256177609/">https://www.facebook.com/events/306824256177609/</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Site: </span><a href="http://www.holocaustandgenocides.com/" style="color: #0d0d4a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-decoration: none;">www.HolocaustandGenocides.com </a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Donations- </span><a href="https://holocaustandgenocidesdallas.eventbrite.com/" style="color: #0d0d4a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px; text-decoration: none;" title="https://holocaustandgenocidesdallas.eventbrite.com/">https://holocaustandgenocidesdallas.eventbrite.com</a><br /></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 15.1800003051758px;">We hope you will walk out of the event with a genuine feeling of being a contributor towards building a cohesive world where no human has to live in apprehension or fear of the other. </span><span style="line-height: 15.1800003051758px;"><br /><br />The Holocaust event has been commemorated by the Jewish community since 1953 for the loss of 6 million Jews during the Holocaust, known as</span><span style="line-height: 15.1800003051758px;"> Yom HaShoah</span><span style="line-height: 15.1800003051758px;"> in Synagogues around the world. The general public learns it by visiting the Holocaust Museums and educational institutions.<br /><br />We at America Together Foundation are committed to spread the knowledge of Holocaust and Genocides through interfaith and public events.</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; line-height: 15.1800003051758px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our format has been simple and consists of four parts: interfaith prayers, the Holocaust, Genocide (one or two each time), a Massacre, action items for individuals and the pledge of peace. Silently we acknowledge all suffering, but physically we are limited to a Genocide and a Massacre at one time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a shameless cruelty in us, either we shy away or refuse to acknowledge the sufferings of others, worrying that it will devalue our own or somehow it amounts to infidelity to our own suffering, and every community and nation has suffered through this.<br /><br />The purpose of this event is education; we hope to learn and acknowledge our failings and make a personal commitment to do our individual share of saying “Never Again”.<br /><br /><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Our mission is to create awareness of the inhumanity within each one of us and hope to find the solutions.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The goal ought to be respecting the otherness of others and accepting the God given uniqueness of each one of us, anything short of that will leave unattended-sparks ready to flare up at short notice with the whiff of oxygen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a bridge building event and we sincerely hope the attendees will walk out with the following understanding:<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other people’s suffering is as legitimate as mine;</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is easy to see ourselves as Victims, we must also see the perpetrator in us;</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we strip the politics out of a conflict, we see hope;</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can value others suffering without lessening our own;</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The overriding desire to highlight our own blinds us from other’s suffering.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A sense of responsibility for creating a better world is awakened.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A initiative of American Muslims, organized by the Foundation for Pluralism, World Muslim Congress and America Together Foundation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are looking for participating organizations, sponsors and volunteers. Please text or call me at the number below.<br /><br />References:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Our first event: Hon. Roslie and William Schiff, the Holocaust survivors delivered the key note, while people from many faiths participated in sharing scriptures from their holy books:<a href="http://./" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration: none;">.</a></span><span style="color: #0d0d4a;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><a href="http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Images_HolocaustDay/HMD2006_ProgramReport.asp" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration: none;">http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Images_HolocaustDay/HMD2006_ProgramReport.asp</a></span></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Holocaust and the Muslim guy: <span style="color: #0d0d4a;"><span style="line-height: 15.1800003051758px;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/holocaust-and-the-muslim-_b_4629509.html" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration: none;">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/holocaust-and-the-muslim-_b_4629509.html</a></span></span><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/holocaust-and-the-muslim-_b_4629509.html" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration: none;"> </a></span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 15.1800003051758px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 15.1800003051758px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="line-height: 15.1800003051758px;">United Nations proclamations: </span><span style="line-height: 15.1800003051758px;"><span style="color: #0d0d4a;"><a href="http://www.un.org/en/holocaustremembrance/docs/res607.shtml" style="color: #0d0d4a; text-decoration: none;">http://www.un.org/en/holocaustremembrance/docs/res607.shtml</a></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Mike Ghouse, Event Chair<br />(214) 325-1916</span></div>
Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-83969429385371988702015-01-02T05:20:00.000-08:002015-01-02T06:20:15.409-08:00Interfaith Weddings in Dallas<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.7099990844727px;">Today, I officiated two interfaith weddings – between a Palestinian Muslim and a Lebanese Christian, and British Atheist and a Mexican Christian. The second wedding was a surprise, last minute call, literally last minute call; friends of friends. There have been many Jewish-Muslim, Muslim-Hindu and other combinations. I had to learn a lot to officiate Christian-Jewish and Christian-Hindu weddings. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">What the couples have chosen to do must be admired by one and all, in this divisive world, where people have difficulty in agreeing, difficulty in getting along – they are setting a new standard – of accepting and respecting the God-given uniqueness of each other.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">About 40% of weddings in the US are interfaith weddings and a new report just came out, and 22% of the weddings are interracial.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">The day is not far when there will not even be a mention of these, as the interfaith and inter-racial weddings become a norm. Do you remember the days when most everyone glanced or stared at inter-racial couples? If you thought inter-racial means black and white, then you have ways to go to understand the phrase.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Years ago, a good friend’s daughter’s wedding was a sore disappointment for her – they went ahead and carried forward with the wedding without Muslim and Christian clergy, I am sure they missed a critical part of marriage – to experience what they have seen a marriage to be while growing up. That prompted me to officiate the weddings to bring a sense of completion to the couples</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">I love the emotion and love flowing between two people while officiating the wedding, they look so beautiful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.7099990844727px;">More at <a href="http://interfaithmarriages.blogspot.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">http://interfaithmarriages.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span family="SANSSERIF" lang="0" ptsize="10" style="font-family: Arial;">Thank you</span><span family="SCRIPT" lang="0" ptsize="12" style="font-family: 'Viner Hand ITC';"><br />mike</span><span family="SANSSERIF" lang="0" ptsize="10" style="font-family: Arial;"><b><br />Mike Ghouse</b><br />(214) 325-1916 text/talk<br />...............................................................................................................................<br />Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on Pluralism at work place, politics, religion, society, gender, race, culture, ethnicity, food and foreign policy. He is a staunch defender of human rights and his book standing up for others will be out soon, and a movie "Americans together" is in the making. He is a frequent guest commentator on Fox News and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in 63 links at<a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">www.MikeGhouse.net</a> and his writings are at<a href="http://www.theghousediary.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">www.TheGhousediary.com</a> and 10 other blogs. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.</span></div>
Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-16325711191749351472014-12-25T08:29:00.001-08:002014-12-25T08:29:22.336-08:00Muslims's Christmas Wish<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.0200004577637px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;">May this Christmas open our hearts and minds to each other and let there be peace on earth. </span><span style="line-height: 18pt;">One of the most frequently used words during Christmas season is peace. Indeed, it is a reflection of the innermost desire within each one of us, whether we are Christians or not. Christmas is an annual milestone that intensifies the desire to have peace for oneself and for the world.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Christmas evokes kindness, empathy and goodness toward fellow beings; it's a euphoric feeling of renewal that Jesus taught to the world, it is a sense of completion one feels when he or she finds in tune with humanity. Jesus showed the way by embracing the whole humanity regardless of who they were. He is my hero, he is my mentor, and he is the first known pluralist on the earth. Christmas is a celebration of that refreshed feeling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jesus holds a special place in every one's heart, but particularly among Christians and Muslims, comprising over half the population of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Muslims call him<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Isa-Masih</span></em>, the one who heals and one who brought life to the dead. The name of Jesus appears 27 times in Quran and one of the 114 Chapters is dedicated to Marryam, Mother Mary and the virgin birth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;"><br />Continued </span><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;"> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/a-muslims-christmas_b_1167258.html" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/a-muslims-christmas_b_1167258.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/a-muslims-christmas_b_1167258.html</a></span><br /><br /><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 16.4449996948242px;"><br />"Festivals of the World" is an educational series that I have been writing for the last 20 years. When we live in a community as neighbors and work together as colleagues, we might as well learn about each other. The best way to build cohesive societies is to participate in festivities as well as commemorations of each other, or at least understand each other's' joys and sorrows. A cohesive society, neighborhood or a community shapes up when no one lives in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other.</span><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Essence of Christmas<br /><br />Christmas is about celebrating the message of Jesus, which each one of us can appreciate in our own way. The spirit of Christmas is encapsulated in the acts of kindness to fellow beings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First of all, it has become a season of peace, where every human becomes super conscious of his or her responsibility towards fellow human beings, and is encouraged to bring joy to their lives. If you don't stand up for others, why should anyone stand up for you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Secondly, we cannot remain invincible forever; there comes a time in every one's life when he or she becomes vulnerable and needs help. When we were born, we simply did not walk out of our mother's womb and say: "Hi, world. I am here, and have made it on my own, and I am ready to roll!" Similarly, we cannot bury or cremate ourselves, we need others' help to enter, as we depart from, and live in, the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thirdly, the entire Christian world gears up to bring the joy in the lives of children who may not have a toy or parents to give them that joy. This is one big event of the world where you see hopes on the faces of children. It's not too late; you can still deliver a toy through your local church or store, and see the difference you can make on the face of that unknown child.<br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/festivals-of-the-world-es_1_b_4492571.html" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/festivals-of-the-world-es_1_b_4492571.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/festivals-of-the-world-es_1_b_4492571.html</a><br /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;">Interfaith Christmas: Making God Boundless | Mike Ghouse</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 16.4449996948242px;">Christmas is about celebrating the birth of a man who taught us how to build a cohesive society, which he called the kingdom of heaven. Whether we are Christians, or even believe in God, it simply means building a society that is free from arrogance, hate, malice, prejudice and insecurities, firmly built with love and forgiveness, the panacea to the conflicts we face today.</span><br /><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;"><br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/interfaith-christmas-making-god-boundless_b_2347856.html" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/interfaith-christmas-making-god-boundless_b_2347856.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/interfaith-christmas-making-god-boundless_b_2347856.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;">Standing up for Christians </span><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;"><a href="http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/01/standing-with-christians.html" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;" title="http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/01/standing-with-christians.html">http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/01/standing-with-christians.html</a></span><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;"><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;">Muslims pray for Christians </span><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/muslims-to-dedicate-frida_b_5679118.html" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/muslims-to-dedicate-frida_b_5679118.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/muslims-to-dedicate-frida_b_5679118.html</a></span><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;">A Muslim's Easter </span><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/...celebrates-easter_b_2976582.html" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/...celebrates-easter_b_2976582.html">www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/...celebrates-easter_b_2976582.html</a></span><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;">Thank you<br />mike<b><br />Mike Ghouse</b><br />(214) 325-1916 text/talk<br />...............................................................................................................................<br />Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on Pluralism at work place, politics, religion, society, gender, race, culture, ethnicity, food and foreign policy. He is a staunch defender of human rights and his book standing up for others will be out soon, and a movie "Americans together" is in the making. He is a frequent guest commentator on Fox News and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in 63 links at</span><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;"><a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.mikeghouse.net/">www.MikeGhouse.net</a></span><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;"> and his writings are at </span><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;"><a href="http://www.theghousediary.com/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.theghousediary.com/">www.TheGhousediary.com</a></span><span style="line-height: 16.4449996948242px;"> and 10 other blogs. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.</span></span></div>
Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-42528998137682081062014-12-08T20:31:00.002-08:002014-12-08T20:31:12.471-08:00Texas Faith: A cup of coffee and other holy rituals<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A good cup of Coffee or Tea in itself is not divine, but it has the ingredients to offer that blissful moment that connects us with ourselves. There is nothing like it.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20.0200004577637px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: inherit; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1em;"><br />Texas Faith: A cup of coffee and other holy rituals</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Published: <time class="entry-date" datetime="2014-12-04T12:15:48+00:00" pubdate="" style="display: inline;">December 4, 2014 12:15 pm</time></span></div>
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<a href="http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/files/2014/12/CUPS_OF_COFFEE.jpg" style="background: transparent; color: #3071a9; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-48133" height="258" src="http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/files/2014/12/CUPS_OF_COFFEE-e1417649076713.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; display: block; height: auto; margin-bottom: 2rem; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle;" title="London Cowboys Game" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Every faith has its rituals. Hopefully these help put us in the mind of being with God and make us more present in our prayer. Our lives have their little rituals too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In a recent article,Rabbi Patrick “Aleph” Beaulier <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/patrickaleph/2014/11/can-coffee-bring-you-closer-to-god/" style="background: transparent; color: #3071a9; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">wrote about the ritual of a morning cup of coffee.</a><br />The coffee is a pleasure certainly, but it is also a moment set aside, at best, for a little peace, perhaps silence and reflection. These moments apart are important to our lives as people of faith, as people who are trying to draw ourselves nearer to God. We have our rituals in our religious ceremonies too, often freighted or filled with symbolism and intended, in their own way, to draw us away from the run of our thoughts and into the peace we hope faith will bring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How can our little daily rituals bring us closer to God? How can we make sure that, in everyday moments, we are building our path to the divine?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(This question was inspired by panelist Cynthia Rigby.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism and speaker on interfaith matters, Dallas</span><br /><br />A good cup of Coffee or Tea in itself is not divine, but it has the ingredients to offer that blissful moment that connects us with ourselves. There is nothing like it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I just finished drinking a cup of tea and what a joy it was! Every now and then I give myself a 100 for making that perfect cup of tea. Tea is about color, taste, looks, texture, cup and the whole shebang! It gives me the same joy that my grandson expresses when he walked a few steps for the first time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Indeed a good cup of Tea is divine if we make a ritual out of it, and that is how the ritual prayers have evolved; to dedicate the time and bring peace to oneself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A few minutes of meditation or a prayer unclutters the mind, and a few minutes of silence restores the mind whether on believes in God or not. It frees us from momentary chaos and prepares us to be collected and help us refocus on what is important to us. It is good to be free.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To get the maximum benefit out of Tea on a daily basis, we have to dedicate a few minutes to sipping it instead of rushing it. I have watched a few friends who say, “I have to drink this cup to get my day going” and dash to the car and resort to expletives if someone cuts them off or slams the break ahead of them. Where is the joy in it? How much time does it take to sit down and smell the coffee? It takes no more than 5 minutes but the return on it is immense.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I compare this to rebooting my computer. When everything slows down due to multiple programs running on it, we get frustrated to wait to see the words appear on the screen after typing… even if it were a split second it is not worth the frustration, reboot it, and see how it functions!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Those of us, who can free ourselves from tension, pain, anxiety, apprehension, hostility, malice, pressure, stress, strain and conflicts, are showered with blessings of peace and joy. The Spiritual freedom is indeed the greatest achievement in one’s life and it sticks to you if you practice dedicating time to everything you do including drinking a cup of Coffee or Tea, it is worth it and you deserve it, just do it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To read the other Panelist's take, go to Dallas Morning News at http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/12/texas-faith-a-cup-of-coffee-and-other-holy-rituals.html/</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...............................................................................................................................<br />Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on Pluralism at work place, politics, religion, society, gender, race, culture, ethnicity, food and foreign policy. He is commentator on Fox News and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in several links at <a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">www.MikeGhouse.net</a> and his writings are at<a href="http://www.theghousediary.com/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">www.TheGhousediary.com</a> and 10 other blogs. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. </span></div>
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Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-43574842435913763102014-11-26T16:10:00.000-08:002014-11-26T16:10:22.348-08:00Dallas Thanksgiving Celebrations and Awards Night, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson graces the occassion<span style="background-color: #fffaf2; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;">Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas presided over the proceedings of the 16</span><sup style="background-color: #fffaf2; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;">th</sup><span style="background-color: #fffaf2; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"> annual thanksgiving celebrations and awards night on Saturday, November 22, 2014. It is a bridge building event between communities.</span><br />
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<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;">We ought to be thankful to Native Americans, who did not put the electric fence around Americas to keep the illegal aliens like Columbus and other Europeans from entering America without a visa. Today, we are a nation of immigrants, other than the natives; almost all of us are immigrants from one to several generations.</span><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype><v:shape alt="Description: C:\Users\Sardar\Desktop\TG16-2014 ALL\TG-2014-bigpicture.JPG" id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1033" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; height: 394.5pt; line-height: 19.9333343505859px; visibility: visible; width: 452.25pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:title="TG-2014-bigpicture" src="file:///C:\Users\Sardar\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;">The event was organized by America Together Foundation, World Muslim Congress. And the Foundation for Pluralism, all committed to building a cohesive America where no American has to live in tension, discomfort, apprehension or fear of the other.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;">The purpose of celebrating this event</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"> was to thank God for guiding us to learn</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"> to</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"> respect the otherness of others, and accept the</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;">God given uniqueness of each one of us. And more importantly it is to familiarize the new immigrants with the festivities. You’ll be surprised to find that many of them have not even seen the thanksgiving meal and its fixings. It was not a part of their study for citizenship and apparently no one has done this as a public event. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;">“Congresswoman Johnson represents the aspiration of fellow Americans; justice and liberty for every American in his or her pursuit of happiness, and she fights for that relentlessly – Is that the kind of congressperson we want?, well here she is.” Mike Ghouse welcomed her amidst a thunderous applause. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2NQd5myR0Kg/VHPp275QKDI/AAAAAAAAdvI/XTRaCpyQZzs/s1600/2.Congresswoman%2BJohnson%2Blaughing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2NQd5myR0Kg/VHPp275QKDI/AAAAAAAAdvI/XTRaCpyQZzs/s1600/2.Congresswoman%2BJohnson%2Blaughing.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;">To paraphrase Congresswoman Johnson, “we have made sacrifices to respect the human rights, civil liberties and freedom for our new generations and now they have those rights. On the map of the world, ours is still the best country. The immigrant community has always played an important role in the development of US." </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It was a delight to watch the Congresswoman carve the symbolic turkey, and sharing what thanksgiving means to her; to count your blessings.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">For many a immigrants it is an introduction to the American way of life and who else can do a better job than the Congresswoman? Through her efforts and against all impediments, she has realized her American dream.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></div>
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<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;">Chef Ali of Spicy Cuisine in Irving prepared delicious vegetarian and non-veg meals with a fixing of thanksgiving delicacies. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;">Congresswoman Johnson presented the awards to four community leaders and delivered a beautiful keynote address on gratitude,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;">while highlighting the need for events like this to bring people together regardless of their political, religious, racial or and social affiliation to build a safe, secure and a cohesive America.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;" /><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WniZXutXcdo/VHPp6NBXFMI/AAAAAAAAdvw/TXfzj9Enncg/s1600/4.Congresswoman%2BJohnson1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WniZXutXcdo/VHPp6NBXFMI/AAAAAAAAdvw/TXfzj9Enncg/s1600/4.Congresswoman%2BJohnson1.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"><v:shape alt="Description: C:\Users\Sardar\Desktop\TG16-2014 ALL\Congresswoman Johnson1.JPG" id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_i1030" style="height: 585pt; visibility: visible; width: 468pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"> <v:imagedata o:title="Congresswoman Johnson1" src="file:///C:\Users\Sardar\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image004.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"><br />Mike Ghouse, president of the foundation shared the real life stories that exemplify thanksgiving; stories about Appaiah and the hospitality in Saudi Arabia. How each one of us can restore the spiritual balance within and live a productive, meaningful and a purposeful life. The Appaiah story was published in </span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/interfaith-thanksgiving-story-of-gratitude-and-self-balancing-acts_b_2169789.html" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Huffington Post Link</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"> , and the Saudi story, all pictures, and notes will be at</span><a href="http://www.thanksgivingcelebrations.org/" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3b5998; font-family: Georgia, serif;">www.ThanksgivingCelebrations.org</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The attendees were represented by people of different faiths, races, political orientations and other uniqueness’s. They cheered on when Mike Ghouse, chair of the event asked. W</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">hether you are Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Gay, Lesbian, Black, White, Native, Immigrant, Republican or Democrat, how many of you like to see your Congress person represent you with equal care and consideration? How many of you would like to see your congress person treat you with dignity and respect regardless of who you are? Well here she is, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.”</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">She delivered a beautiful key note speech about Gratitude. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The following individuals were recognized for their outstanding contributions to building bridges in the communities we live – the title conferred upon all of them was “Pluralist” – meaning someone who respects the otherness of others.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Every society has heroes – that is men and women who have gone beyond their normal self to serve the communities at large, and it is our responsibility as a society to acknowledge, cherish and honor them.<br /><br />Here is a brief introduction of the recipients; detail profiles will be available at </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://www.thanksgivingcelebrations.org/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">www.thanksgivingcelebrations.org</a></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;">Raja Zahid A. Khanzada</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"> – a Journalist for his “Commitment to truth in Journalism.” He reports for the top news media conglomerates in Pakistan and has been a catalyst in</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"> a process of “forgiveness” of the robbers – where they surrendered their guns in return for acceptance in the society to live and breathe a normal life, and be the contributors of the nation. It is sort of what President Obama is doing with the undocumented aliens, a noble thing to do. Raja is a relentless pursuer of education with three Master’s degrees and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;">a degree in Homeopathic medical sciences and holds certification from American Alternative Medicine Practitioner Board in practice of alternative medicine. He amazed everyone when he asked his mother to receive the plaque.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"><v:shape alt="Description: C:\Users\Sardar\Desktop\TG16-2014 ALL\Khanzada Award.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_5" o:spid="_x0000_i1028" style="height: 321pt; visibility: visible; width: 468pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"> <v:imagedata o:title="Khanzada Award" src="file:///C:\Users\Sardar\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image006.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"><br /><b>Amina Rab</b> – a community activist and leader for “Building Bridges.” Amina is deeply committed to building bridges between the Muslim community and other communities. It is not her job, but a passion to build bridges. She </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;">is the President of the Council on American Islamic Relations- DFW chapter and is the first woman to serve on the North Texas Islamic Council, and is a founding Board member of Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> She is a Scientist in the healthcare industry for 20 years. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Amina is an entrepreneur with a home based business, a mother, a grandmother and a community Activist with a passion to promote peace and justice in the world.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"><v:shape alt="Description: C:\Users\Sardar\Desktop\TG16-2014 ALL\Amina Rab.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_6" o:spid="_x0000_i1027" style="height: 311.25pt; visibility: visible; width: 468pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"> <v:imagedata o:title="Amina Rab" src="file:///C:\Users\Sardar\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"><br /><b>Anne Marie Weiss</b> – a community leader for “Bringing the DFW communities together.” Anne Marie single handedly started the DFW international in early nineties – she had the vision for making the Dallas/ Fort worth an international Metroplex, even before it was declared as such. Today, DFW International has become an exemplary institution in America. There is nothing like it. Where can you find connections to every cultural, religious, social and ethnic group in one place? None in America! She has put Dallas Fort Worth on the world Map. If you see the demographic statistics of nationalities and ethnicities in Dallas, it was her effort. It is her selfless devotion to the belief that DFW should genuinely reflect its diversity.<br /><br /><b>Sante Santhanam Chary</b> –is a national figure in “Connecting the World Leaders.” Sante is one of the very few Americans, perhaps the only immigrant who has met, shook hands and shared a message with 7 American Presidents and 8 Indian Presidents/Prime Ministers. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;">Sante is continuously forging political and business ties between the United States and India and in September this year, he </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;">got the US Senate to pass a resolution creating <i>“2014 U.S.-India Partnership Day</i>” to honor Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">He has set a new world record by collecting over 55 contemporary</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> signatures in solidarity on a USPS issued First Day Envelope with Mahatma Gandhi’s stamp on it. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Sante is a healthcare entrepreneur with a focus on physician staffing services to small towns in the US. He is a graduate of The Harvard Business School and the Thomas Jefferson School of Law.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"><br /><b>We are one nation.</b><br /><br />Collectively, <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">we are one nation under God represented by every race, religion, political orientation, nationality, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation and culture. Everything that God has created in the universe, we have it here in America. Indeed, we are God’s own country.<br /><br />As Americans together, we see God as one, none and many and in every form; male, female, genderless and non-existent, being and non-being, nameless and with innumerable names. Our organization, America together Foundation is committed to preserve this pluralistic heritage of America.</span><br />Most of the problems we have in our nation can be traced to one thing – not knowing and being judgmental about others. Whether it is Ferguson, Homophobia, Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, Misogyny or whatever evils creep on us, they gain ground because we don’t know each other.<br /><br />How do we come out of these and create a cohesive nation where no one has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other? At America Together foundation we have plans to bring about this change. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;">A full report with speeches and pictures will be published in a week.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"><v:shape alt="Description: C:\Users\Sardar\Desktop\TG16-2014 ALL\MikeGhouseatTG.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_9" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 375.75pt; visibility: visible; width: 375.75pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:title="MikeGhouseatTG" src="file:///C:\Users\Sardar\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image009.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"><br />Mike Ghouse, President of America Together Foundation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;">Mike Ghouse </span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"><br />(214) 325-1916 text/talk<br />...............................................................................................................................<br />Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on Pluralism at work place, politics, religion, society, gender, race, culture, ethnicity, food and foreign policy. He is commentator on Fox News and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major newspapers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in several links at </span><a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;">www.MikeGhouse.net</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"> and his writings are at </span><a href="http://www.theghousediary.com/" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;">www.TheGhousediary.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 19.9333343505859px;"> and 10 other blogs. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.</span></div>
Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-78063577080927263782014-11-20T02:57:00.001-08:002014-11-20T02:57:10.963-08:00Thanksgiving interfaith Dinner on Saturday with Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fffaf2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Honorable Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson is the guest of honor and key note speaker at the 16<sup>th</sup> Annual Thanksgiving Celebrations & Awards Nite on Saturday, November 22, 2014. During the evening’s celebrations, Congresswoman Johnson will recognize District 30 constituents for their outstanding service to the community followed by the delivery of her keynote address on gratitude.<br /><br /><s><o:p></o:p></s></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">"The purpose of celebrating this event is to thank God for helping us learn to accept, respect and appreciate each other's uniqueness and thank America for being the beacon of hope to the world” said Mike Ghouse, founder and chairperson of the event.<br /><br />The purpose of the Annual Thanksgiving Celebrations & Awards Nite is to:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br />1. Give thanks for the blessed life we all enjoy in these United States of America, wish and pray the same for those who are less fortunate than us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br />2. Celebrate the diversity of God's creation and enjoying the cultural heritage of each ethnic group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br />3. Appreciate and recognize outstanding volunteers in each community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br />4. Gather together as Immigrant Americans with naturally born Americans in celebrating this wonderful holiday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br />5. For many of the immigrants it is an introduction to the American way of life.<br /><br />Please join us for an interfaith dinner among multicultural attendees, gathered together under the belief that the more we learn about one another, the less misunderstandings are there to be had. If we can learn to respect others and accept the God given uniqueness of all, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Master Chef Ali will prepare a special thanksgiving plate that your taste buds will <s> </s>cherish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br />Accepted Donations are $20/person or $50/person. You can reserve your place to attend via <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/e/thanksgiving-dinner-mushaera-tickets-13695612947?aff=efbevent" style="color: #8e8e8e; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.eventbrite.com/e/thanksgiving-dinner-mushaera-tickets-13695612947?aff=efbevent"><span style="color: windowtext;">Eventbrite</span></a>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /><b style="color: #8e8e8e; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/e/thanksgiving-dinner-mushaera-tickets-13695612947?aff=efbevent" style="color: #8e8e8e; text-decoration: none;">http://www.eventbrite.com/e/thanksgiving-dinner-mushaera-tickets-13695612947?aff=efbevent</a><br /></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Thanksgiving Celebrations & Awards Dinner</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Saturday, Nov 22, 2014 <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Food: Separate Vegetarian food | Halal | Turkey <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Place: Spicy Cuisine, Restaurant,<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Address: 1800 Valley View Ln, Irving, TX 75061<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Poetry session in Urdu and Hindi on Gratitude 9:30 – 12:00<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.americatogetherfoundation.com/" style="color: #8e8e8e; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.americatogetherfoundation.com/"><span style="color: windowtext;">www.AmericaTogetherFoundation.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.thanksgivingcelebrations.org/" style="color: #8e8e8e; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.thanksgivingcelebrations.org/"><span style="color: windowtext;">www.ThanksgivingCelebrations.org</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/" style="color: #8e8e8e; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/"><span style="color: windowtext;">www.FoundationforPluralism.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">The event will benefit the America Together Foundation, a 501 (3) (c) non-profit charity committed to building a cohesive America where no American has to live in apprehension or fear of the other. <br /><br />Mike Ghouse<br />(214) 325-1916<br /><a href="mailto:MikeGhouse@aol.com" style="color: #8e8e8e; text-decoration: none;" title="mailto:MikeGhouse@aol.com"><span style="color: windowtext;">MikeGhouse@aol.com</span></a></span></div>
Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-12478051324556142012014-11-17T07:46:00.002-08:002014-11-17T07:46:34.173-08:00Dallas' thanksgiving Dinner on Saturday, Nov 22, 2104<span style="background-color: #fffaf2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="fsl">Let your thanksgiving be a little more meaningful and purposeful this year. If you have been around in Dallas for a while, you would know the "Thanksgiving Celebrations & Awards Night" a 20 year old tradition we had left off a few years ago. Unlike the large gatherings in the past, we are limiting this to a small gathering of 100 at this time.<br /><br />Its an evening to appreciate and express our gratitude, and enjoy the Dinner </span><span class="fsl"><span class="fsl"> with people of different faiths, races, and ethnicities</span></span><span class="fsl"><span class="fsl"><span class="fsl"> with a belief that the more we learn about each other, the less misunderstandings we would have. If we can learn to respect the otherness of others and accept the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. </span> </span><br /><br />The event is to benefit America Together Foundation, a non-profit charity committed to building a cohesive America where no American has to live in apprehension or fear of the other. <br /><br />Master Chef Ali will prepare a s<span class="text_exposed_show">pecial thanksgiving plate that you'll cherish it. Ali is my favorite Chef for 20 plus years in Dallas. You'll enjoy the food.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Event: Thanksgiving Dinner </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday, November 22, 2014</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dinner Theme: Gratitude</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">07:30 -09:30 Dinner</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">09:30 - 11:45 Poetry Session in Urdu, Hindi and English languages</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Place: Spicy Cuisine, Restaurant,</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Address: 1800 Valley View Ln, Irving, TX 75061</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: #fffaf2; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;">For those who speak Urdu and Hindi languages, a poetry session will be carried out after the dinner.</span><span style="background-color: #fffaf2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br />Website:<a href="http://www.thanksgivingcelebrations.org/" style="color: #8e8e8e; text-decoration: none;"> www.ThanksgivingCelebrations.org</a><br />Website: <a href="http://www.americatogetherfoundation.com/" style="color: #8e8e8e; text-decoration: none;">www.AmericaTogetherfoundation.com </a></span></span></span></span><br style="background-color: #fffaf2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;" /><span style="background-color: #fffaf2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #fffaf2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"></span><span style="background-color: #fffaf2; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"><b>RSVP IS A MUST - EMAIL </b><br /><a href="http://Thanksgivingcelebrations@gmail.com/" style="color: #8e8e8e; text-decoration: none;"><b>Thanksgivingcelebrations@gmail.com </b></a><br />It is a must to give a head count to the Chef.</span></span><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> Please order your table or individual place at Eventbrite:<br /><a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/e/thanksgiving-dinner-mushaera-tickets-13695612947?aff=efbevent" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #8e8e8e; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>http://www.eventbrite.com/</b></span><wbr></wbr><span style="color: blue;"><b>e/</b></span><wbr></wbr><span style="color: blue;"><b>thanksgiving-dinner-mushaer</b></span><wbr></wbr><span style="color: blue;"><b>a-tickets-13695612947?aff=</b></span><wbr></wbr><span style="color: blue;"><b>efbevent</b></span></a></span></span></span><br style="background-color: #fffaf2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;" /><br style="background-color: #fffaf2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;" /><span class="fsl" style="background-color: #fffaf2; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;">Sponsorships: Table of 10 $500 or $1000 | Individual donations $20/$50<br />It's a non-profit org</span><span class="fsl" style="background-color: #fffaf2; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"> They are tax deductible under Non-profit Organization 501 (3) (c) - America Together Foundation.</span></span></span><span style="background-color: #fffaf2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fffaf2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="fsl"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #fffaf2; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vukozR1Mlak/VEG5086dR_I/AAAAAAAAdZg/MefqSOjuM68/s1600/ThanksgivingDinnerFacebook..jpg" style="color: #8e8e8e; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vukozR1Mlak/VEG5086dR_I/AAAAAAAAdZg/MefqSOjuM68/s1600/ThanksgivingDinnerFacebook..jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /><br /> Thank you<br />Mike Ghouse<br />(214) 325-1916 text/talk</span></span></span></div>
Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-56938887151222337612014-11-06T09:34:00.000-08:002014-11-07T07:41:51.297-08:00Texas Faith: How should we incorporate faith into a secular political world?<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.0200004577637px;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">True Secularism or true religious government is not about forcing others into obedience, but facilitating freedom to live his or her life as one chooses. However, the radicals in all systems bring a bad name to their respective group. Radical Secularism infringes on freedom of the religious people, just as radical religion does to non-religious people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The history of Soviet Union and China has left a bad taste for generations to come; they forced Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhist, and others to abandon practicing their faiths. It is like forcing someone not to love his mother. The resentment it created has permeated throughout the world and has earned a negative connotation of being a Godless government. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20.0200004577637px;">On the other hand, the radicals calling themselves ISIS wants to force people to become Muslims. I have </span></span><span style="line-height: 20.0200004577637px;">recommended the administration to give them warning to back off, surrender or <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/president-obama-go-ahead-_b_5765264.html#es_share_ended" style="color: #212c6a; text-decoration: none;">go ahead and destroy them</a> to prevent further deaths of Christians, Yazidis and other Muslims. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20.0200004577637px;"> In India the newly emerged government has remained silent while radical Hindus are hell bent on reconverting Christians back to Hinduism, this needs to stop. We in t</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">he United States needs to drop the hatred for the same sex marriages, and restrictions placed on women about their bodies, we should and not infringe on the liberties of others. The Rabbis and the Ministers in Israel need to be slapped for telling their congregants to kill the Palestinian Mothers, and the Buddhist Monks need to be poisoned for goading and killing non-Buddhists in Burma. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20.0200004577637px;">Even though these are done by the radicals and not the mainstream majority, the religions get a bad name because of these radicals. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ideally every human should be free to breathe, drink, eat, wear or believe whatever the hell one wants to. I hope we all work for such societies, the least we can do is see the value in such societies where every one minds his or her own business.<br /><br />Mike Ghouse</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.0200004577637px;"><b>Texas Faith: How should we incorporate faith into a secular political world?</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.0200004577637px;">By Rudolph Bush rbush@dallasnews.com </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.0200004577637px;">11:53 am on November 5, 2014 | Permalink</span><br />
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<a href="http://foundationforpluralism.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-myth-of-religious-violence-by-karen.html" style="border: 0px; color: #005689; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The writer Karen Armstrong </a>recently noted that it was through bitter experience the west learned to separate the state from religion and wonders why Muslims have “found it impossible to arrive at this logical solution to their current problems.”</div>
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“Why do they cling with perverse obstinacy to the obviously bad idea of theocracy? Why, in short, have they been unable to enter the modern world?”</div>
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We’ve all asked these questions so often. If only these extremists would lay down their arms and embrace plural, diverse societies, they would see the benefit.</div>
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But as Armstrong so clearly writes, the path to our sort of secular and plural society, where we try to divide politics and religion, has been anything but bloodless.</div>
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“If some Muslims today fight shy of secularism, it is not because they have been brainwashed by their faith but because they have often experienced efforts at secularisation in a particularly virulent form. Many regard the west’s devotion to the separation of religion and politics as incompatible with admired western ideals such as democracy and freedom.”</div>
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Acknowledging this past is important, even if it is unlikely to impress fanatics and extremists.</div>
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Perhaps more helpful questions for us are these: how do we, as people practicing and preserving our faiths, segregate the political from the spiritual in our own lives? What lessons can we offer those who want their faith to infuse all elements of their lives and are skeptical of a society and political system that calls for secularism? Are we fooling ourselves that we can have both? Are we cheating one aspect of our lives, spiritual or civic, to serve the other?</div>
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Our panelists respond on the jump.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">MIKE GHOUSE: President, Foundation for Pluralism and speaker on interfaith matters, Dallas</strong><br />
Karen Armstrong, in her thought provoking essay, ‘Myth of religious violence’ takes us through a journey of governance and alignment of people from religious to multi-religious to secular in several avatars, it is also a history of the rights of minorities in relation to the majorities. I was hoping she would pave the way for yet another form of governance; Pluralism, which can address some of the questions we are facing today, instead she abruptly ends, perhaps for the reader to take the next step.</div>
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Mr. Rudy Bush has picked where she left, and I am pleased to do my share of work towards answering the questions.</div>
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I have been working on the idea of pluralism in governance, religion, society, food, gender, politics, culture, race and other aspects of life. I have put in solid 20 years of research work into this, thank God, Pluralism runs in my veins now.</div>
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Pluralism is definable as “respecting the otherness of others”. Indeed, if we can learn to respect the otherness of others and accept the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge for a smoothly functional cohesive society.</div>
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What lessons can we offer those who want their faith to infuse all elements of their lives and are skeptical of a society and political system that calls for secularism?</div>
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Radical Secularism infringes on freedom of the religious people, just as radical religion does to non-religious people. The history of Soviet Union and China has left a bad taste for generations to come; they forced Christians, Jews, Buddhist, Muslims and others to abandon practicing their faiths. It is like forcing someone not to love his mother. The resentment it created has permeated throughout the world and has earned a negative connotation of being a Godless government.</div>
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There are historic models of pluralistic governance that can be studied. The one practiced by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), was the first its kind in human history. Four religions were practiced simultaneously in the same town without violating each other’s rights. He was the head of the State and initiated the Madinah treaty to protect religious freedom of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Pagans and possibly Zoroastrians. Each tradition was to have its own rules to abide by within the larger context of the state, everyone was free to practice his or her religion, and he called the others “People of the book” to create an inclusive mindset among the people. It’s a shame that some of Muslim nations have abandoned it.</div>
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The Second example is that of India, a Hindu majority nation. Even though it is labeled a Secular Democracy, it has always been a pluralistic democracy. There is a common criminal code for all citizens, but in matters of faith and civic affairs, each one follows his own religious traditions. It has worked beautifully for nearly 60 years, and I am skeptical of its continuance with Hindu radicalism on rise. A lot of healing is needed to fully restore the Pluralistic ethos.</div>
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The third example is that of Indonesia, a Muslim majority nation with a duly elected Christian President, and they now have a raging debate about electing a Christian governor for Jakarta province. I am sure they will honor their pluralistic constitution called Pancasila based on Madinah treaty.</div>
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The United States has been a pioneer in every aspect of human life. Our constitution guarantees liberty to every individual; however we are evolving in our declaration that all men are created equal. We have to take pride in our form of governance, which is becoming pluralistic every day.</div>
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Pluralism is nothing but an attitude of live and let live, and it is applicable in every aspect of life including culture, society, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, food, ethnicity, race and other uniqueness’s.</div>
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You practice your faith and I will not meddle with yours, as in the case of contraceptives for Catholics or Mormons, or do not force the church to give access to the transgender identity to their rest rooms, instead build separate for them and preserve each human with his or her dignity.<br />
Pluralism in governance looks at the criminal as an Individual and not a Christian, Jew, Muslim or Hindu. We are not fooling ourselves, we can have both and we would not be cheating one aspect of life over the other.</div>
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You are who you are, and I am who I am. As long as we don’t mess with each other’s space, sustenance and nurturance, and mind our own business, we all will do well. If we can learn to respect the otherness of other and accept the God-given uniqueness of each one of the 318 Million of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">HOWARD S. COHEN, Lecturer in Jewish/Christian Relations and member of Congregation Shearith Israel and Congregation Beth Torah, Dallas</strong><br />
I know it is “politically incorrect” in this neighborhood to support the secularist thinkers who claim that religion itself has been the greatest force for destruction and mayhem in western history; nevertheless, their argument cannot be ignored. The religious insistence that the believer has the absolute truth about the will of God and how devotion to that truth needs to be demonstrated by word and deed continues to be the source of tyrannical, imperialist, and dictatorial repression responsible for so much suffering in history. Intolerance seems to be the natural corollary of any religion that claims to have the universal answers about God and claims “absolute truth,” as if any human being could actually know the Unknowable or have a handle on absolute truth.</div>
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Armstrong is right in reminding us that secularism – which decries beheadings, honor killings, and death for converts -has only been with us for the last 300 years in the post-enlightenment west and with a spotty record, at that. On the other hand, that observation does not ease our reaction to the actions of the small number of Muslim terrorist extremists (thousands of Muslims out of 1.5 billion) that fill our news reports. No one wants to wait 300 years for them to catch up.</div>
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Like Odysseus choosing between Scylla and Charybdis, it is conventional wisdom today to assume that we must decide between religion and secularism, bifurcating our lives according to our chosen priorities. But there’s a third option.</div>
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George Washington declared in his 1796 Farewell Address that “of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports.” Yet he also believed that “the liberty enjoyed by the people of these States, worshiping Almighty God agreeably to their consciences, is not only among the choicest of their blessings, but also of their rights.”</div>
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Thomas Jefferson believed that “no nation has yet existed or been governed without religion,” yet he articulated and defended “a wall of separation between Church and State.” If our Founders could envision a free church in a free state, why do other civilizations struggle to embrace a similar ethos?</div>
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Here’s one reason. With all due respect to Karen Armstrong, one of our greatest scholars of world religions, we must not overlook genuine worldview differences among the various faiths. The Qur’an prescribes an entire system of governance, complete with dietary restrictions and economic regulations. The Hebrew Bible does the same. Many who follow their teachings most fervently therefore believe that they can allow for no “secular” state outside their “spiritual” authority.</div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">WILLIAM McKENZIE: a co-founder of the Texas Faith blog, is editorial director at the George W. Bush Institute.</strong><br />
I would argue this issue the other way around: Religion and politics do mix. In fact, they inevitably mix. Religion and politics are both about values, so it is only natural they will be in the same arena. In modern times, the clearest example – and most important one – is the way in which black churches and their leaders gave birth to the civil rights movement.</div>
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If they had kept their religion separate from their politics, the country never would have had this major breakthrough. Put another way, if African-American churchgoers had only adhered to personal piety, and not tried to seek justice in the larger social realm, America would have not moved forward.</div>
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There have been many other examples of people of faith acting in the political arena because of their religion. The Moral Majority gave voice to many Americans who were concerned about a cultural drift within the nation. At heart, this was a response framed by religious views.</div>
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Of course, what we want is a healthy dose of respect and tolerance to go with the mixture of religion and politics. That is what keeps people from different persuasions from tearing each other apart.</div>
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We also have been blessed in this country by the figurative line between church and state. That distinction has helped both religion and politics in America. There is more freedom in each domain because we have no official merging of church and state.</div>
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Yet I don’t see how religion and politics – or spiritual lives and the social realm – can ever be kept separate. Not when they each involve how we translate values like justice and mercy into the course of our lives together.<br />
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To Read the views of other panelists, please go to Dallas Morning News at:<br />
<a href="http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/11/texas-faith-how-should-we-incorporate-faith-into-a-secular-political-world.html/#more-46998" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/11/texas-faith-how-should-we-incorporate-faith-into-a-secular-political-world.html/#more-46998</a><br />
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Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on Pluralism at work place, politics, religion, society, gender, race, culture, ethnicity, food and foreign policy. He is commentator on Fox News and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in several links at <a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">www.MikeGhouse.net</a> and his writings are at <a href="http://www.theghousediary.com/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">www.TheGhousediary.com</a> and 10 other blogs. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.</div>
Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-64683835538052194842014-11-06T09:25:00.002-08:002014-11-06T09:35:04.959-08:00Guru Nanank's 545th birthday Celebrations - Happy Gurpurab<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's the 545th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, founder of Sikhism. Let's pray that this Gurpurab nurtures goodwill and removes ill-will between people of all faiths. That would be the highest tribute we can pay to the Guruji, indeed that was one of his missions for people to live in harmony with each other.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WymEv2M5i2U/VFtt8tXA8CI/AAAAAAAAdls/K1Et8RsVd10/s1600/gurunanak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #0c0c0c; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WymEv2M5i2U/VFtt8tXA8CI/AAAAAAAAdls/K1Et8RsVd10/s1600/gurunanak.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Guru Nanakji's birthday has a special significance to me. Indeed, the religion we called Sikhism started out as an interfaith movement, in which Guru Nanak primarily brought people from different religions together and taught common sense goodness, serving humanity and caring for the neighbors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On this auspicious day of Guru Nanak Devji's birthday, on behalf of World Muslim Congress and the Foundation for Pluralism, we wish peace and blessing to the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As a Pluralist, I have been writing about the "Festivals of the world" for the last twenty years, I write the essence of every major Festival of every religion and a message to go with it for the common man of other faiths to get a gist of it and a special message on the occasion.<br /><br />Last month, I wrote an article on Gandhi's birth celebrations - the best tribute to Gandhi; do not poison your children at <a href="http://www.foundationforpluralism.blogspot.com/2014/10/mahatma-gandhi-do-not-poison-your.html" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">http://www.foundationforpluralism.blogspot.com/2014/10/mahatma-gandhi-do-not-poison-your.html </a> and also wrote a message about the Sikh Genocides, Muharram, Diwali, Rosh Hashanah and other festivities and commemorations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This Month, I hope to contribute my message is dedicated to ease the relationship between Sikhs and Muslims, the discomfort is not on the surface, but lurking deep inside their psyche's, perhaps not with the 2nd generation after independence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Guru Nanak Jayanthi is the birth celebration of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak, and one of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The festivities in the Sikh religion revolve around the anniversaries of the 10 Sikh Gurus. These Gurus were responsible for shaping the beliefs of the Sikhs. Their birthdays, known as Gurpurabs, are occasions for celebration and prayer among the Sikhs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of guidance in poetry composed by Hindu and Muslim spiritual teachers. Indeed, the land for the Golden Temple was a grant by King Akbar and the first brick for the Golden Temple was laid out by a Muslim fakir.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />Happy Gurpurab to all the Sikhs and to everyone who is a well-wisher of the ideals of Sikhism. I hope, on this auspicious occasion of Gurpurab, that Muslims and Sikhs make a genuine effort to pay tribute to the spirit of Guru Nanak Devji and remove the misunderstandings that erupted from a wrong translation of Quran that happened 350 years ago and has rightfully etched in the psyche of Sikhs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In an article in <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Huffington Post</em> about Kentucky Senator David William's bigotry expressed against Hindus, I wrote, "No one has a right to belittle other's faiths. If Senator Williams has a problem let it be his problem and no one should malign Christianity for his bigotry." Likewise, King Aurangzeb's bigotry should not be slapped on Muslims. I have nothing to do with it, nor does any Muslim has anything to do with him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sadly there was a lot of bloodshed during the partition of India that has deepened the ill-will among a few Muslims and a few Sikhs. It is time to forgive for our own sake, as it will release the tension and apprehension within us and free us to deal with each other as free individuals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">May the <em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">noor</em> (divine light) of Guru Nanankji brighten the world. Amen! Sikhism was one of the first formal religions that began as a reconciliatory goodwill nurturing faith and let's give the full value to it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I just want to share a great misunderstanding that occurred in the 17th century and has lasted till this day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was a speaker on "reading the scriptures" at the Parliament of World's Religions in Melbourne, Australia. During the conference, one of the Sikh scholars was presenting a verse from Quran that has been difficult for Sikhs for more than 350 years. When Dr. Avtar Dhaliwal started his presentation with the obviously wrong translation of a verse from Quran, a fellow Muslim was outraged and walked out and was looking at me for a response. Later, I invited him back into the hall and responded to the mistranslation during my presentation and not during Dr. Dhaliwal's presentation. That is a whole another story, but for now, I will share the email that followed the conversation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here is note from a leader from the Sikh Community, who is making every effort to set the record right. We must appreciate all such efforts where people have made a difference in creating a better world for all of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Avtar Dhaliwal, July 27, 2010</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dear Mike,<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Greetings. I hope by now you are well recovered from the exhausting Parliament meeting in Melbourne, Australia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am working on my article on Sacred Scriptures and its Intended use--misinterpretations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Apparently, during my presentation, I did not apply the qualified translation which resulted in misunderstanding By our friend from Bombay. I apologize for not gathering my information correctly. I had applied the translation that was posted on the Internet by 'Quran Explorer.com'. I have no intension of denigrating any sacred books.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You had mentioned that correct translation is available for Surah 15:26-30. However, a Sabd by Guru Nanak Ji had been misinterpreted by the Clerks in the court of Aurangzeb, and the same interpretation has been copied in Sikh literature for the last 350 years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am trying to get the correct explication of the misinterpreted Sabd in Sikhism. In reference to that I need correct translation of Surah 15:26-30.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Will you please, send the correct translation in the English language as well as in the Urdu language.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks for time.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Wishing the best.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Avtar S. Dhaliwal<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Tennessee, USA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here was my response. It is lengthy but worthwhile in removing 350 years of ill-will carried in our hearts.</span></div>
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<a href="http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2010/08/quraan-surah-hijr-1526-30.html" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b06be0; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_hplink"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Quran, Surah Hijr 15:26-30</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Apparently the verses from 15:24-30 were mistranslated to suit one group over the other as the note below indicates. I will add a note after hearing from Mr. Dhaliwal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thank God, no one had dared to make a change in the Arabic version of Quran since its inception, however there have been three mistranslations, two of which I am familiar with, one was paid to mistranslate in 1142 AD by the European Kings around the crusades times to have the Christians hate Muslims; the other one was by Hilali Khan in 1922 after the fall of Ottoman Empire to rally up Muslim support by creating enemies out of Jews and Christians. I am not familiar with the third one, apparently during King Aurangzeb's time. Aurangzeb was an honest man, but was an intolerant fanatic towards Hindus and apparently Sikhs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Quran, like all other holy books is a book of guidance for humanity to co-exist in harmony and peace, the religious scriptures are God's love for his creation. Just as the Nuclear power in the hands of good men and women can be beneficent to humanity and destructive in the wrong hands, the holy books are the same. Neither Quran, nor Nuclear powers are bad, it is whose hands in it is that determine the outcome. Fortunately, the intolerants ones are less than 1/10th of 1% of the population.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The best way to understand a verse is to read five verses before and after, and read at least three translations to get the right meaning. Finding the truth is one's own responsibility.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15:24 (Asad) and well do We know [the hearts and deeds of all human beings - both] those who lived before you and those who will come after you; (Or: "those of you who hasten forward [towards Us], and those who lag behind". Both these interpretations are considered equally legitimate by the early commentators)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15:25 (Asad) and, behold, it is thy Sustainer who will gather them all together [on Judgment Day]: verily, He is wise, all-knowing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15:26 (Asad) AND, INDEED, We have created man out of sounding clay, out of dark-slime transmuted</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are many references in the Quran to man's having been "created out of clay (tin)" or "out of dust (turab)", both these terms signifying man's lowly biological origins as well as the fact that his body is composed of various organic and inorganic substances existing-in other combinations or in their elementary forms-on or in the earth. The term salsal, occurring in three verses of this surah as well as in 55:14, adds a further dimension to this concept. According to most of the philological authorities, it denotes "dried clay that emits a sound" (i.e., when it is struck); and since it is used in the Quran exclusively with reference to the creation of man, it seems to contain an allusion to the power of articulate speech which distinguishes man from all other animal species, as well as to the brittleness of his existence (cf. the expression "like pottery" in 55:14). As the construction of the sentence shows, this salsal is stated to have evolved (Razi) out of hama' - which, according to some authorities, is the plural of ham'ah, signifying "dark, fetid mud" or "dark slime"-while the participial adjective masnun which qualifies this noun denotes, as Razi points out, both "altered" (i.e., in its composition) and "brought into shape": hence my rendering of this expression as "transmuted", which to some extent combines both of the above meanings. To my mind, we have here a description of the primeval biological environment out of which the "sounding clay" - the matrix, as it were - of man's physical body has evolved in accordance with God's plan of creation. (Quran 15:26 )</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15:27 (Asad) whereas the invisible beings We had created, [long] before that, out of the fire of scorching winds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"out of the confusing flame of fire (marij min nar)": i.e., of non-corporeal elements. The noun al-jann, rendered by me as "the invisible beings", is in reality a singular, denoting here the kind of these particular beings or forces, similar to the use of the singular noun "man" (al-insan) which describes the collective entity "mankind".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15:28 (Asad) And lo! Thy Sustainer said unto the angels: "Behold, I am about to create mortal man out of sounding clay, out of dark slime transmuted;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15:29 (Asad) and when I have formed him fully and breathed into him of My spirit, fall down before him in prostration!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The allegorical character of all the passages bearing on the creation of man and on God's command to the angels to prostrate themselves before him is brought out clearly in God's saying, "I am about to create mortal man ... ; and when I have formed him fully. ..", etc.: for it is obvious that, in reality, no lapse of time is required for God's completing His creation - since, "when He wills a thing to be, He but says unto it, 'Be'-and it is" (cf. 2:117, 3:47 and 59, 6:73, 16:40, 19:35, 36:82 and 40:68). God's "breathing of His spirit" into man is obviously a metaphor for His endowing him with life and consciousness: that is, with a soul. (Quran 15:29 )</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are several references where God tells the angels to bow to the man he has just created. In essence, God is asking to look up to man who is not an automatic machine to be in peace and free from conflicts, but has the free will and will strive to achieve peace, a state of conflict free, guilt free life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15:30 (Asad) Thereupon the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15:31 (Asad) save Iblis: he refused to be among those who prostrated themselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15:32 (Asad) Said He: "O Iblis! What is thy reason for not being among those who have prostrated themselves?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15:33 (Asad) [Iblis] replied: "It is not for me to prostrate myself before mortal man whom Thou hast created out of sounding clay, out of dark slime transmuted!"</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This signifies lack of trust in God by Iblis (Shaitaan) and arrogance to bow in front of a thinking and independent creature.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15:34 (Asad) Said He: "Go forth, then, from this [angelic state]: for, behold, thou art [henceforth] accursed.</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YhTF5oUg24g/VFt0cj5iQuI/AAAAAAAAdl8/qSgyRNwc3Ro/s1600/Dr.Harbanslal-MikeGhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0c0c0c; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YhTF5oUg24g/VFt0cj5iQuI/AAAAAAAAdl8/qSgyRNwc3Ro/s1600/Dr.Harbanslal-MikeGhouse.jpg" height="300" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid transparent; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20.0200004577637px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Harbans Lal and Mike Ghouse</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />To honor Guru Nanak ji, on the 445th birth celebrations, let's all make an effort to open our hearts to each other, and work on reconciliation between Hindu and Muslims, the conflicts are not gone, they have to be addressed and understood and new beginning has to be given. I hope the above is a good step forward.<br /><br /><i>I am pleased to be a part of every faith group and here are some of the many photo albums with the Sikh community.</i></span></span></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157637892668635/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157637892668635/</a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157631922541157/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157631922541157/</a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157631715919572/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157631715919572/</a> </li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157636856041595/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157636856041595/</a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157630996663592/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157630996663592/</a></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157623886468895/" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157623886468895/</a></li>
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<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><b>Waheguru ji ka Khalsa Waheguru ji ki Fateh</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This article was published at <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/sikhs-and-muslims-on-542n_b_1087327.html" style="color: #0c0c0c; text-decoration: none;">Huffington Post</a> a few years ago. </span></em><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mike Ghouse is committed to build a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. His work is indexed at <a href="http://mikeghouse.net/" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b06be0; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_hplink">MikeGhouse.net</a>. </span></em></div>
Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9205407844090343429.post-77076978968783270772014-10-25T08:19:00.000-07:002014-10-25T08:19:03.996-07:00Warning to Terrorists - the BIG red poster<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sV5Dr1J84uU/VEuyqodNE5I/AAAAAAAAddU/tYreHDEV7kI/s1600/Warning%2Bto%2BTerrorists.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sV5Dr1J84uU/VEuyqodNE5I/AAAAAAAAddU/tYreHDEV7kI/s400/Warning%2Bto%2BTerrorists.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">CLICK ON THE RED POSTER TO VIEW IN FULL SIZE</span></b></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span>
<span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The
acronyms SOB, AH, BS and others are certainly uncouth, but they effectively
communicate a purposeful message, hence I made that choice. The Warning poster to Terrorist is a double
edged sword and is at the bottom - the big red poster.<br />
<br />The following comments have been received against the poster below. </span></span></span>
<span><span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
</span></span></span></span><ol>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“<span style="color: black;">sometimes your brain goes on strike I guess”, </span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">“Don’t jeopardize”</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">“Who gave you the authority to represent Muslims?”</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> “</span><span style="color: black;">Not appropriate and
safe for you in today's hostile environment.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> “</span><span style="color: black;">this is a
mindless drivel”</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">“You are not qualified to speak for Islam”</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> “</span><span style="color: black;">Do you think your
severe warning will have any darn effect on these fanatics”</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">“</span>I second it”</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“it is appropriate
response”.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ol>
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<span><span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
</span></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;">In a learning environment, good thoughts and concrete ideas
are developed with criticism and feedback; here is why this kind of response is
needed. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span>
<span><span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
</span></span></span></span><ol>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Don't bark at the
religion for the acts of bad guys. Punishment is set for bad acts, to restore the trust in a given society. When a
Rapist is running around in a neighborhood, everyone is apprehensive, but when
the guy is caught and nailed, peace of mind is restored in the neighborhood. Instead
of catching the guy, if we blame his raising, his family, his religion, his
race or nation, and his imam, rabbi, pastor or pundit – we will not restore
peace. I intend to aggressively communicate this idea, the right idea, and
intend to speak at various law enforcement agencies as well as religious
institutions. </span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The criminal ought to know that he will be punished; we will not allow the poor
alibi of religion, not at all. The Law enforcement and the media people also
need to get this in their heads, the purpose of investigations and chasing the
bad guys is to restore trust and not to aggravate by barking at a non-entity
like Religion. The more you bark at criminal’s religion, race or ethnicity, the worse it gets.
You cannot shoot, kill, hang, beat or bury the religion, then why bark at it?<br /><br /> </span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">72 Virgins are
promised. Both the terrorists and the communicators of the problem (Media and
Politicians) to the world at large have gotten it wrong. The poor guy needs to
be outraged at the recruiters that he was duped, and there are no 72 virgins
waiting for him, instead the SOB will rot in Jail if we Americans get him, or
killed mercilessly if he is caught by the opposite party. No Geneva conventions
will be observed by either the terrorist or his chasers. The Media needs to stop the BS of propagating
the falsity with nothing to back up in the Qur'an. <br /><br /> </span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Both the criminal and
the law enforcement (coupled with the media and politicians) must be aware that
it is the Sin, and not the sinner we are after. The clarity should prevent us
from being unjust. We should not be
abusive in disciplining or punishing the wrong doer. As a civil society, we
cannot become the very evil we want to eradicate. <br /> </span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We should seek the
criminal to lead us to the source of recruiting material and the recruiters by
mitigating his punishment. </span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Challenge to
“read the right translation/interpretation” of Qur'an applies to both the
criminal and the law enforcement. I am certain, the criminal will become a
genuine repenter, and the law enforcement will not buy or propagate the dished
out non-sense in the market or bark irrelevantly.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ol>
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<span>
<span><span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
</span></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">This is the right
time to forge peace to the society in general, and
American society in particular by boldly and loudly getting people to get
the message, and i.e.,<br />
<br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span>
<span><span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
</span></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">I am being assertive,
never has any Muslim or other communicated this so clearly and it is time we do
that, thank God for the opportunities he has blessed us with to find
solutions. If I don't, no one will
speak, and I sincerely hope many of us to speak up, do it on your own or join
me.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span>
<span><span>
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</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
</span></span></span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;">It is time we separate the evil from good.<br />
<br />
Bottom line is to free Islam and Muslims from the stupid stereotyping, and focus
on punishing the bad guys and restoring trust in the society. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
<span>
<span><span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
You
SOB, you are the damned murderer, you messed up the peace, and your ass will nailed big time. <br /><br />Don’t give me the BS about your job, childhood,
parents, kids, siblings, spouse, imam, rabbi, pastor or the pundit. You did it and you'll pay for it.<br /><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I
am not stupid to buy in your argument that your religion made you do
that, and then bark at the religion endlessly. AH, you are the bad guy
and you are going to pay for it. I am here to restore justice in the
society and not be detracted and scream at your religion like a stupid
ass. I can hang you, shoot you, bury
you and beat you up to restore justice and trust in the society, and that is my goal<br />
<br /> <span style="color: #134f5c;"><i>Note:
Mr. Terrorist, I don't condemn you, it is your sin I condemn. If you
claim to be a Muslim, just remember, those guys who recruited you, and
cheated you with false promises of Hoories and virgins in paradise were
dead wrong. There is no such thing nor is it mentioned in Qur'an,
instead you will rot in jail for life. Would you turn in your recruiters
for cheating you? Would you read the correct translations of Qur'an, we
might minimize your sentence?</i></span>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This should be the attitude of Law enforcement<br />Authorized by Mike Ghouse, World Muslim Congress.</span><br />
</span></span></span></span><div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span lang="0"><br />Thank
you</span><span lang="0" style="color: black;"><br /> </span><span lang="0" style="color: black;"><b><br />Mike Ghouse</b><br />(214)
325-1916
text/talk<br /><a href="http://www.worldmuslimcongress.com/">www.WorldMuslimCongress.com </a> <br />...............................................................................................................................
<br />Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on
Pluralism at work place, politics, religion, society, gender, race, culture,
ethnicity, food and foreign policy. He is commentator on Fox News and syndicated
Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News
and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in several links at <i><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/">www.MikeGhouse.net</a></span></span></i><b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"> </span></span></b>and his writings are at
<i><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.theghousediary.com/">www.TheGhousediary.com</a></span></i> and 10 other
blogs. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic
solutions on issues of the day. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0