PRESS RELEASE
John Hammond
FunAsia brings communities together for Malala
Christians, Hindus,
Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and others from USA, Canada, UK, India,
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and other Diaspora came together to stand
up in solidarity with Malala at FunAsia Richardson on Sunday evening at 8:00
PM.
Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and others from USA, Canada, UK, India,
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and other Diaspora came together to stand
up in solidarity with Malala at FunAsia Richardson on Sunday evening at 8:00
PM.
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| Click picture for enlarged version |
Shabnam
Modgil opened the event followed by an array of speakers including, Shariq
Hamid, Dr. Mona Shah, Anjum Anwar, Rashid Dara, Tina Sharma, Ghulam Jangda,
Nadeem Zaman, Dr. Zahid Ayub, Mike Ghouse and John Hammond.
Modgil opened the event followed by an array of speakers including, Shariq
Hamid, Dr. Mona Shah, Anjum Anwar, Rashid Dara, Tina Sharma, Ghulam Jangda,
Nadeem Zaman, Dr. Zahid Ayub, Mike Ghouse and John Hammond.
Three young kids Zan
(11), Daniel (10) and Shawn (9) also expressed their strong feelings against
terrorism and their unconditional support for peace and education for all,
especially for girls.
(11), Daniel (10) and Shawn (9) also expressed their strong feelings against
terrorism and their unconditional support for peace and education for all,
especially for girls.
Malala has become a
catalyst for a change that Pakistan was looking for decades; her suffering will
bring a new beginning, new dawn and a new determination to
Pakistan.
catalyst for a change that Pakistan was looking for decades; her suffering will
bring a new beginning, new dawn and a new determination to
Pakistan.
It was heartwarming to
note that 50 Key Muslim Scholars, in Pakistan, issued a statement condemning the
extremism displayed by a loony; the support for Malala is increasing by the day.
note that 50 Key Muslim Scholars, in Pakistan, issued a statement condemning the
extremism displayed by a loony; the support for Malala is increasing by the day.
The candle light vigils
are not only being observed in Pakistan, but throughout the world, including
India, UK, Canada and the United States.
are not only being observed in Pakistan, but throughout the world, including
India, UK, Canada and the United States.
To honor this unity of
people from different faiths and nationalities, the speakers at FunAsiA shared
their religious greetings from different faiths, all greetings were designed to
acknowledge the stranger with a desire to connect and a possible friendship.
Whether it is Namaste, Salam, Shalom, and Satsriakal or peace, it is has the
same ingredient in it. Attendees were welcome to recite quietly, or in chorus
however they preferred.
people from different faiths and nationalities, the speakers at FunAsiA shared
their religious greetings from different faiths, all greetings were designed to
acknowledge the stranger with a desire to connect and a possible friendship.
Whether it is Namaste, Salam, Shalom, and Satsriakal or peace, it is has the
same ingredient in it. Attendees were welcome to recite quietly, or in chorus
however they preferred.
Mike shared the
following greetings with the crowd:
following greetings with the crowd:
Baha’i – Allah‘u’Abha
Buddhism –
Buddha Namo
Buddhism –
Buddha Namo
Christian – Peace to
you
you
Hindu –
Namaste
Namaste
Jain – Jai
Jinendra
Jinendra
Jewish-
Shalom
Muslim – Salaam
Native American – blessings of mother
earth
Sikh- Satsriakal
Shalom
Muslim – Salaam
Native American – blessings of mother
earth
Sikh- Satsriakal
Wicca – To goodness we
bow
bow
Zoroastrian – Hamazor
Hama Ashobed.
Hama Ashobed.
Mr. Mike Ghouse
mentioned that Pakistan has endured extremism, and it reached its peak when a 14
years old girl was threatened not to seek education, and was shot and she is
hurt. Prophet Muhammad had said to go the far ends of the earth to educate
yourself.
This catalytic event is changing the course of history in
Pakistan.
mentioned that Pakistan has endured extremism, and it reached its peak when a 14
years old girl was threatened not to seek education, and was shot and she is
hurt. Prophet Muhammad had said to go the far ends of the earth to educate
yourself.
This catalytic event is changing the course of history in
Pakistan.
The solution does not
lie in matching their extremism with our in-tolerance towards them, there is no
end to that, what we need to find is a way to have a dialogue with them, they
are obviously misguided from some source, we need to go that source with them
and remove it from the root, and with their consensus, and not through
oppression. It can be done.
lie in matching their extremism with our in-tolerance towards them, there is no
end to that, what we need to find is a way to have a dialogue with them, they
are obviously misguided from some source, we need to go that source with them
and remove it from the root, and with their consensus, and not through
oppression. It can be done.
FunAsiA, always has
and is still working on “Brining the Community Together”
and is still working on “Brining the Community Together”
Pictures
attached.
attached.
FunAsiA management;
Shabnam Modgil, Shariq Hamid, John Hammond.
Shabnam Modgil, Shariq Hamid, John Hammond.