Holocaust and Genocides

14^th Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides

Approx. 3:30 PM Sunday, January 27, 2019, | First Event at 2:00 PM
Jewish Muslim Perspectives on Mysticism at Islamic Society of the Washington Area
2701 Briggs Chaney Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20905 

CLICK FOR:   RSVP | INFO | ABOUT

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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FIRST EVENT AT 2:00 PM
Program: Getting Closer to God: Jewish and Muslim Perspectives on Mysticism

Gabrial Abasi will speak on Selfless service and commitment to mysticism
Herb Levy is a teacher of Kabbalah
Andra Baylus will speak on the Sufi-inspired spiritual leader Meher Baba

Organized by: Jewish Islamic Dialogue Society
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SECOND EVENT AT - Approx 3:30 PM
Program: 14th Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides

Holocaust
Syrian Refugee Crisis
Rohingya Ethnic Cleansing - Bob Marro,
Uyghur Chinese Muslims - Omer Kanat
Crimean Tartars - Walter Ruby

Organized by the Center for Pluralism

Supporting Organizations:

1. Jewish Islamic Dialogue Society- http://Jids.org
2. Islamic Society of the Washington Area - http://iswamd.org/
3. World Muslim Congress - http://worldmuslimcongress.org/
4. JAMAAT - Jews Muslims and Allies acting together
5. Foundation for Ethnic Understanding

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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.

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holocaust-and-genocides-event-tickets-54157371155

INFO: https://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com/2018/12/14th-annual-reflections-on-holocaust.html

ABOUT US: http://centerforpluralism.com/mission-accomplished-at-the-center-for-pluralism/

Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916
http://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com  

http://www.CenterforPluralism.com

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 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeghouse/

Mother's Day Interfaith Celebrations - Huffington Post

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.

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

Full Report with Mother as she is called in over hundred global languages and almost all South Asian Languages - continued at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/mothers-day-interfaith-ce_b_7233900.html

# # #

Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day- all about him at www.MikeGhouse.net

Examples of pluralism poetry in Hindi and Urdu

Thanks for the inquiries and clarifications about pluralism theme – let me sum up my work of 20 years, “If we can learn to respect the otherness of others, and accept the genetic uniqueness of each one of the 7 billion of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.” Pluralism is simply an attitude.   

Some samples of poetry thus far;

I would encourage you to write on different issues where our attitudes determine the   pluralistic attitudes of acceptance of the other. Pluralism is not limited to religion, it is applicable in social, cultural, food, clothing, and linguistic, nationalistic, and ethnic aspects of life. Let’s face them with an attitude of an acceptable solution without aggravating the situation, and instead of keeping inside and poisoning the blood, lets discuss them in poetry format.

• Naheed Shad’s poetry is going to be focusing on samajik issues, and I am pleased to hear that. It would be a breath of fresh air.

• Ravi Kumar has included "bhook" in his poem ( this would be a good format – roman English and Hindi/Urdu- to benefit all readers – we request the poets to write the roman english in their own words, as others may mess it up).

saaraa aalam hee rotaa ho, jab bhookha koi sotaa ho 
सारा आलम ही रोता हो, जब भूखा कोई सोता हो

• Taj Hashmi wrote on universality of righteousness

     Sab ke chhatoN par aur kehtoN meiN pani barsata hai 
Khuda Woh to yeh nahiN poochhta, “Tu ne mujhey aaj  yaad kiya hai ya nahiN”?

When He showers rain, it happens on every rooftop, no garden is out of its way

God never asks the silly question: “Did you remember me today?”

•  Shah Alam Asar writes,

Pandito, Rahibo, Mullao meri baat suno
Ibne Adam hain sabhi, Farq jatate kion ho

(It’s a good take on Vasudhaiva Kutumbukum – the whole world is one family, what does it matter to prove the differences?)

• Saeed Qureshi concludes his poem

Mazhabi azadiyaan, ilm o masawat o amal
so taraqqi yafta qoumon ka a ayeen hai.

( freedom of religion, equality are the hallmarks of progressive societies)
15 More poems on their way!

CULTURAL PLURALISM

Some of us may have bias towards skirts, sarees, shalwar kameez, dhoti, Arab gear, pagdi, hat, topi, Hijab, pallu….does the bias contribute towards a well functioning society? Applying pluralism means – accepting each custom as unique, but not inferior or superior. You wear and feel good about your skirt, and I feel good about my Saree.  Humility builds bridges and arrogance destroys the relationships.

FOOD PLURALISM 

If you like Gulab Jamun and I like Ras Gulla – would we listen to a dietician, nutritionist, doctor, scientist, food connoisseur or any one -  if they say Gulab Jamun is better than Ras Gulla? You probably would  say – Chal, hut, bhaag yahaan say! 

LINGUISTIC PLURALISM

Back in Bangalore in the late 60’s – people have killed each other on the silliest of things – it is the size of the  cut out  pictures of Dr. Raj Kumar, Kannada film actor and M.G. Ramachandran, his counterpart in Tamil films. The fans were vying with each other to build the taller cut out for their idol - they went from 25 feet and all the way upto to 60 feet tall, rioting was common – all they had to learn was Raj Kumar means everything to the Kanndigas and MGR means everything to the Tamilians, so what?

PLURALISM IN BEAUTY

Because I am a guy, I am sharing my perspective – in college days we argued vehemently over who is more beautiful; Hema Malini, Waheeda Rahman or Rekha. We kept forgetting that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder,  and we would have saved the anger and a mukka - two of them become bitter towards each other, they were trying to force each other to believe either Hema or Waheeda was more beautiful. I said, so what you cannot even get an audience with them - Those guys envy me,  I had the luxury of sitting and talking with both the most beautiful women of India, and I was in hog heaven!

PLURALISM WITH SPOUSE

Please note, I will not use the language pluralism with wife – spouse means either wife or husband and in no particular order, as neither is above the other. Does it bother you that your spouse wears a dark green suit (male or female)? Is that a source of conflict every time you go out?  Why do we have to push the other to wear what we want,  and wear what is not comfortable to them... let them wear and be happy. A happy companion is better than the grouchy one waiting to get even.

Pluralism is simply an attitude – necessary to keep the conflicts in every aspect of life to a low level.

PLURALISM IN HINDI AND URDU

I attended the meeting at Urdu Ghar tonight, and I just could not believe the environment of pluralism there…   I am a life member of the International Hindi Association, a great secular organization, and I was looking for a similar secular and a pluralistic organization in Urdu – eureka, I found it.  I will write more about it.

We were working on finding a word in Urdu for pluralism -  many words were considered, but most of them agreed on the word “Bahimiyat” proposed by Dr. Amer Suleman, and now its his turn to explain Bahimiyat in a quartet or a full Nazm as an introduction in the program – like wise, the word Anekant vaad does not fully represent the breadth of the word Pluralism, and Anand has floated Anekta may ekta… we need another word to fully describe pluralism,  and I ask Anand Punjabi to write a quartet as an introduction or we ask  Nishi, Sushila jee, Fateh or Chini Saheb propose and write multiple words.

There was a good song in a film called “Do Kaliyan” which talks about dropping the Urdu-Hindi ka Jhagda – if you have time, it is a good song- by my mentor Kavi Sahir Ludhianavi.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQuBmwOUFpU

Please feel free to call me or any one of our team members – you can text me and give me the time to call back.  (214) 325-1916. I have a perfect record of returning every call and every email that asks me a question despite the amount of emails and calls I receive.

We are looking for someone to sponsor tea/soda/ pakora/samosa…. And some funding for producing the book – you can contribute from 50-500, all funds will be accounted and listed. You can go to: http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/

 More at : http://urduhindimushaeraonpluralism.blogspot.com/

Thank you.

Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916/ text

....... Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel,India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. 

Good news update about Urdu-Hindi Mushaera on Pluralism

Invitation to Hindi/ Urdu Speaking friends; 

Everything thing you wanted to know about pluralism; cultural, social, religious, political) will be here. Scroll down for more details and also check on the left panel. 

Urdu Hindi اُردو / हिंदी Mushaera on Pluralism
Venue: Richardson Civic Center
411 W. Arapaho Road, Richardson, TX 75080
 Saturday, June 29, 2013
7:45 PM - 11:00 PM  - Limited Seating
Must RSVP to Confirmattendance@gmail.com

   

We request your participation in one or many ways;

Be our guest attendee. 
Write a poem based on the theme of Pluralism (social, cultural, religious, political…)
Recite your poem in the Musha’era/ Summelan
Be our sponsor 

If you want to bring a change to the society, be the propeller. 

It is our individual and collective responsibility to create societies where no one has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other. 

I appreciate you support in seeding the idea of pluralism in Urdu/Hindi languages at this time as a first step.  Poetry is a major part of Urdu/Hindi speaking population in India and Pakistan and touches every one through songs, Mushaeras and Sammelans. We can become propellers of the change and plant the seeds that will become trees and bear fruit and shade in a generation or two.

15 poets have confirmed writing poetry in easy Urdu/Hindi languages to communicate to larger audience and we hope to have at least 20 poets. We hope to get good media coverage, and it will be a model event that sets the standards for future events to improve upon it.  We will make an effort to get it published in Pakistani and Indian papers. We are seeking support from all the groups to be a part of this event

Contact:

Shri D. D. Maini 

Irfan Ali (940) 565-1723 

Amin Tirmizi (817) 663-3786
Noor Amrohvi (972) 859-0647

Anand Punjabi (214) 499-2663

AG Chini (972) 978-7034 Javed Samuel Gill (214) 315-5253 
Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916

Website: http://urduhindimushaeraonpluralism.blogspot.com/

Urdu Hindi اُردو / हिंदी Mushaera on Pluralism

URL - http://urduhindimushaeraonpluralism.blogspot.com/ and
www.FoundationforPluralism.com 

Invitation to Hindi/ Urdu Speaking friends; ( Urdu/Hindi versions follow the English version below)

 Urdu Hindi اُردو / हिंदी Mushaera on Pluralism
Venue: Richardson Civic Center
411 W. Arapaho Road, Richardson, TX 75080
 Saturday, June 29, 2013
7:45 PM - 11:00 PM  - Limited Seating
Must RSVP to Confirmattendance@gmail.com

   

 We request you to participate in one or many ways;

To be our guest attendee. 
To write a poem based on the theme of Pluralism
To recite your poem in the Musha’era/ Summelan
To seek poets who can write 
To be a volunteer
To be a sponsor 
Selected poetry will be published in a booklet
 
If you want to bring a change to the society, be the propeller. 

Hamari  تہذيب  (tehzeeb) ho, ya संस्कृति (sanskriti), we have always respected each other. However, that element of the culture is depleting and causing distrust and discomfort with each other.  Can we let this happen? I hope not.  

Poetry is one of the pillars of our  सभ्यता , تمدن and it is in our interest to leave a better world for our نسل, पुश्त or posterity.  Indeed, we can revive that tradition.  

Let us consciously work towards creating संसक्त  समाज,  معاشرہ  چسپندہ or  cohesive societies where no one has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other. The mere idea of thinking and writing such thoughts in our poetry is seeding the future; indeed, this is a small step, and hope it will become a giant leap for the Urdu/Hindi speaking populations of the Subcontinent, برِصغیر, महाद्वीप in building cohesive societies.

This program will be a model program to be placed on the world wide web, and seek publication in major Urdu/ Hindi media. With your  सहायता, تعاون and help, we can invite the giants of poetry in Hindi and Urdu to write the poems, if they are in Dallas, they can recite it as well. 

Pluralism in one sentence is about respecting the otherness of others and accepting the God given uniqueness of each one of us. It involves building cohesive societies and creating an environment where no human has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other.

The words that best describe Pluralism in Hindi are: Anekāntavāda (Devanagari:अनेकान्तवाद) and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (Sanskrit: वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम) and in Urdu it is تَکثیریت (we are still looking for the right word).  
I have been researching, writing and speaking on Pluralism for the last twenty years with articles in Dallas Morning news (150), fortnightly in Huffington Post (50), Washington  Post (10)  and several other periodicals around the glove including live workshops (28)  and radio programs (520 hours)  on the wisdom and essence of all the beautiful religions.  And one of the three books called “Standing up for others” will be released at the Mensa Conference in Fort worth on July 4^th.

You can choose a variety of topics inclusive of religion, humor, culture, food, language and day to day living.  How do we get along respectfully with each other!
 
The poetry will be sensitive and respectful of every religion, race, ethnicity, gender, color and nationality. It’s a conscious step in advancing our culture of respecting each other’s uniqueness.  The completed poetry must be in by June 15th to make it to the book.

We hope to place a book in the hands of every major poet, कवि  and شاعِر.  Indeed, this will be a small step, and hope it will become a giant leap for Urdu/ Hindi speaking populations in learning to respect and accept each other’s uniqueness.

We seek funding for this project and I hope you can fund it generously.  You can make the check to America Together Foundation (foundation for Pluralism is its dba) or pay through credit card at:http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/ 

We hope you will walk out with a sense of belonging to the whole humanity.
 
Contact:

Shri D. D. Maini
Irfan Ali (940) 565-1723
Amin Tirmizi (817) 663-3786
Noor Amrohvi (972) 859-0647
Anand Punjabi (214) 499-2663 
AG Chini (972) 978-7034  
Javed Samuel Gill (214) 315-5253
Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916

Url - http://urduhindimushaeraonpluralism.blogspot.com/2013/05/urdu-hindi-mushaera-on-pluralism_21.html

======================== HINDI VERSION =================

अनेकता में एकता (Pluralism) पर हिंदी उर्दू काव्य सम्मलेन  

हिंदी उर्दू भाषी मित्रों को हार्दिक निमंत्रण हैअनेकता में एकता पर हिंदी उर्दू काव्य सम्मलेन 
 में शिरकत करें

शनिवार, जून २९, २०१३ , शाम ८ से ११ बजे 
रिचार्डसन सिविक सेंटर

आप अलग-अलग तरह से इस काव्य सम्मलेन में भाग ले सकतें हैं ;

-        हमारे मेहमान बनकर पधारें,

-        अनेकता में एकता पर कविता / नज़्म लिखें,

-        हमें अपनी कविता खुद आकर महफ़िल में सुनियें,

-        काव्य सम्मलेन के आयोजन सेवा में हमारी मदद करें,

-        इस कार्यक्रम के प्रायोजक बने |

चुनिन्दा कवितायेँ और शेर एक किताब में छापे जायेंगे |

अगर आप समाज को बदलना चाहते हैं, 
तो अपने शब्दों से आकर हमें प्रेरित कीजिये |
हमारी संस्कृति में , हमने हमेशा एक दुसरे की इज्ज़त की है | मगर आज इस तहज़ीबी तिजोरी से इज्ज़त चुरायी जा रही है | एक दुसरे से लोगों का भरोसा उठ रहा है | एक साथ रहने में तकलीफ़ हो रही है | क्या हम ऐसे होता हुए, खड़े-खड़े  देखते रहेंगे ? शायद नहीं ?
सदियों से हमरें शायारों और कवियों की कलामों ने खम्बा बन , हमारी सभ्यता को खड़ा रखा है | यह हमारे हक में है, की हम अगली पीढ़ी के लिए , एक बेहतर दुनिया छोड़ जाएँ | हमें इस शायराना परंपरा को जिंदा रखना है |
हमें जागरूगता से इस संस्कृत समाज को बनाना है , जिसमें किसीको को भी ड़र, नफरत, शक और तकलीफ के हालातों में ना जीना पड़े | इन बातों को सोचकर और लिखकर हम अच्छे भविष्य की नीव डालेंगे | सच , यह एक छोटा कदम है | आशा है यह भारतीय महाद्वीप के देशों के लिए , यह एक बड़ी छलांग साबित हो |

आरजू है , इस कार्यक्रम के लिए जो कवितायेँ लिखी जाएँ , वह लोगों में आदर्श सोच पैदा करे | हम इन्हें अलग-अलग हिंदी-उर्दू के पत्र-पत्रिकाओं और इन्टरनेट पर छपावायेंगे आपकी मदद से हम चाहते हैं , हिंदी-उर्दू के दिग्गज इस काव्य सम्मलेन के लिए कवितायें और नज्में लिखें और डैलस आकर हमें सुनाएँ | 

अनेकता का मतलब है दूसरों की इज्ज़त करना | हर इंसान को उपरवाले ने जो अनोखापन और अनूठा व्यक्तित्व दीया है, उसे अपनाना ही, इस अनेकता को मानना है | इसके लिए चाहिए की एक ऐसा संघटित समाज बनायें, जिसमे अनेकता की नीव हो | जिसमे  हर इंसान बिना दर और घुटन से जी सके | संस्कृत में अनेकता को वासुदेव कुटम्ब और अंग्रेजी में इसे Pluralism कहा गया है | कुछ लोग इसे उर्दू में कसरत-ऐ-वजूद भी कहते हैं |

मैंने पिछले बीस सालों में Pluralism को पढ़ा है , इसपर बोला और लिखा है | मेरे लेख हर दुसरे हफ्ते , हफ्फिन्ग्तन पोस्ट में,  डैलस मॉर्निंग न्यूज़ (१५०),वाशिंगटन पोस्ट (१०) में छापें हैं | सभी धर्मों सुन्दर ज्ञान को मैंने रेडिओ प्रोग्रामों (५२० घंटे) और सम्मेलनों के वर्गों (२८) द्वारा फैलाया है | मैंने तीन किताबें लिखीं हैं , जिन में से एक,  “Standing up for others” ( दूसरों के किये खड़े होना) , का महूरत चार जुलाए को फोर्टवर्थ के मेनसा सम्मलेन में होगा |

आप किसी भी मौज़ू या विषय जैसे धामों-ईमान, संस्कृति और तहज़ीब, खाना, बोली  और ज़िन्दगी को चुन सकते हैं | समझ यही हो , की आप जो भी लिखें उससे एक दुसरे की इज्ज़त बढ़े |
कवितायेँ विचारपूर्ण हों | धर्म, जात, नसल, आदमी-औरत, रंग-रूप और नागरिकता के फर्क से दूर हटकर, लिखी हुई कवितायेँ, एक दुसरे के सम्मान को कायम रखें | एक दुसरे के खुसूसी गुणों की इज्ज़त कर, इस एक जागरूक कदम से हम अपनी सभ्यता की उन्नति करेंगे | पुस्तक  में छपने के लिए, कवितायेँ १५ जून तक  पहुँच जानी चाहिये |

हम हर कवी के हाथ में इस पुस्तक को रखना चाहते हैं |

धन्यवाद

माइक घौस - टेलीफोन : २१४ ३२५ १९१६

आनंद पंजाबी - टेलीफोन : २१४ ४९९ २६६३

America Together foundation
2665 Villa Creek Dr, Suite 206
Dallas, TX 75234

इन्टरनेट www.FoundationforPluralism.com 

http://urduhindimushaeraonpluralism.blogspot.com/

======================== URDU VERSION =================


Thank you.
Mike Ghouse 
(214) 325-1916
America Together foundation
2665 Villa Creek Dr, Suite 206
Dallas, TX 75234 
email: MikeGhouse@aol.com