Festivals of the World – Ramnvami – Lord Ram's birth celebrations (Hinduism)

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By Mike Ghouse | http://foundationforpluralism.blogspot.com/

Ramnvami is birth celebration of Lord Rama, the Hindu king who set the high standards of morality in governance, of accountability, truth and integrity- his rule was called Ram Rajya.  In the Hindu tradition, he is an avatar (representation) of Vishnu, the energy that sustains the world, the other two energies are Shiva that destroys (brings closure) and Brahma, who originates life.

The epic Ramayana is said to be 8000 years old or beyond, staged in most of the towns in India, if not all. I grew up watching the Ramayana played out on stage on my street in Yelahanka, the town that gave birth to Bangalore.  It was a long show – from 10 PM through 5 Am in the morning. One of my cousin’s husband use to play the role of Hanuman in the play in another town and my brother in law’s friend played Laxman in the show. 

There are great story tellers of Ramayana who go around this season and share the stories, and here in Dallas there was a Morari Bapu, and I have listened to him at the Ekta Mandir as well as the Caribbean Hindu Temple in Dallas.I have done a few talks and storytelling myself about Dussehra celebrations, a story where the good wins over the evil by burning the effigy of Ravan. Indeed in a mixed gathering of people, after my story telling, most of the non-Hindus were able to answer the questions about Rama and Sita, Ravan, Bharat and Laxman, as a teacher of Pluralism, it was a satisfying experience to hear the positive feedback.


It’s a dream of many Hindus for the return of Ram Rajya, the governance of justice, fairness and truth. As a Muslim, I revere Rama and what he stood for. When you hear the story of Moses, Buddha, Rama, Krishna, Prophet Muhammad, Nanak, Mahavira… I see the commonalities in the life of all the great spiritual masters – they lived for creating common good in the society, they worked where justice prevailed for every human being and everyone was treated with dignity. The story is same, the greatness is same and I honor all of them.

Happy Ramnvami – Ram just does not belong to Hindus, his message belongs to all of the humanity.

The day is not far when all of us on the planet, will learn about each other, and see the beauty and essence in each tradition and possibly celebrate and commemorate. Knowledge leads to understanding, and understanding to acceptance and appreciation of the otherness of others, thus creating a cohesive enjoyable world for us.  Please do share this with your non-Jewish friends.
“Festivals of the World” is an educational series by Mike Ghouse that has been active since 1993. When we live in the same communities as neighbors, we might as well learn about each other. The best way to build cohesive societies is for its members, is to participate in festivities as well as commemorations of each other, or, at least understand each other’s’ joys and sorrows. Please note the simplicity in writing is designed for people of other faiths to learn and to know, so we can function cohesively.

Jai Shree Ram.
Published at  http://FoundationforPluralism.blogspot.com 
 

Thank you


mike
Mike Ghouse, President
America Together Foundation
(Foundation for Pluralism)
Dallas | Washington
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on PluralismIslamIndia,Israel-PalestinePolitics 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 ” Sacred” to be released on 9/11 and a documentary “Americans together” 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 atwww.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at www.TheGhousediary.com – Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

Festivals of the World: Passover – Jewish Festival of Freedom

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Festivals of the World:  Jewish Passover | Foundation for Pluralism | Americans Together
Link: http://nabsites.net/demo/festivals-of-world-passover-jewis/

Passover is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the story of the Exodus, when Jews were freed from slavery in Egypt.  It is celebrated for seven or eight days and one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays.

Tonite marks the Passover over with a Seder, a ritualized dinner to commence the Passover. A few years ago, my daughter and I were guests at Temple Shalom for the Passover Seder, it was a great experience reading the scriptures and following the tradition.

The day is not far when all of us on the planet, will learn about each other, and see the beauty and essence in each tradition and possibly celebrate and commemorate. Knowledge leads to understanding, and understanding to acceptance and appreciation of the otherness of others, thus creating a cohesive enjoyable world for us.  Please do share this with your non-Jewish friends.
“Festivals of the World” is an educational series by Mike Ghouse that has been active since 1993. When we live in the same communities as neighbors, we might as well learn about each other. The best way to build cohesive societies is for its members, is to participate in festivities as well as commemorations of each other, or, at least understand each other’s’ joys and sorrows. Please note the simplicity in writing is designed for people of other faiths to learn and to know, so we can function cohesively.
I am pleased to introduce Rabbi David Hartley Mark, who will be helping me share information about Jewish Holidays. The information follows the article.  You will find information about most holidays by searching the name of the holiday in the search box at http://foundationforpluralism.blogspot.com/ it will also be shared at various yahoogroups including Foundationforpluralism@yahoogroups.com 

Continued at http://nabsites.net/demo/festivals-of-world-passover-jewis/


Thank you.

Mike Ghouse
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13 Doctrines of Radical Islam ISIS.

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13 Doctrines of Radical Islam and ISIS |
Published at  www.QuraanToday.com – www.WorldMuslimCongress.com
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I am responding to the following surreal claims by an unknown, but well circulated piece called “13 Doctrines of Radical Islam ISIS “ with a singular purpose; To provide the moderate majority (of all faiths) with facts, and to help them  not entertain any doubts about the word of God. God loves us all and has given us the free will to manage peace and harmony in the world, so all of us can live without fear of the other. 
False propaganda

Finding the truth is your own responsibility, if you are curios about these propaganda verses,  please buy at least three different translations of Quran and figure it out yourselves for your peace of mind is your business.
However, if you want to counter any one of those guys who either innocently or deliberatly circulate false material, here is a ready made response for you to forward. Always go towww.WorldMuslimCongress.com or www.Quraantoday.com and search up for Maligned verses.

I will tear this propaganda apart, and present the right quotes to  each one of these 13 misquotes. These guys write whatever they want and pass it out as the verses from Quran. I have responded to many of these men and women including Noni Derwish and others. The one that made  the biggest mess was Geert Widlers, the hate filled man from Sweden who duped the US Congress and Senate members with his falsities and sold them the 14 minute film called Fitna.
 
In the Middle Ages, European leaders commissioned a hostile Quran translation to foster warfare against Muslim invaders. Later, Muslim leaders produced another translation to inflame Muslims against Christians and Jews. The European Kings commissioned the monastery of Abbey to deliberately mistranslate Quran to paint as a cult that wil threaten their lives – and coined the word “Muhammadan” for the first time in 1142 AD.  It was all for politics, and we need to reject these false translation, the other one was by an Muslim man “Hilali Khan”  who has deliberately mistranslated nearly 60 verses to cause ill-will towards Jews, Chrsitians and others. Please reject those.

The most popular and authenitc translations are by Muhammad Asad, Yusuf Ali and Picktal, however there are a few verses not dealt well in their translations and Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar has righted the wrong understanding in verse 4:34 for example.

http://mikeghouse.net/MuslimSpeaker.MikeGhouse.asp#sthash.5esiRB9S.dpuf

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Many of the following verses are not in Quran, and where additional explanation is needed, I have added two or three translations to give little more clarity. To get the full understanding, the simple formula is read three verses before and after the give verses, and you simply cannot go wrong.

Mike Ghouse , Muslim Speaker, thinker and a writer. World Muslim Congress, Dallas, Texas  Link

American way and Quran Formula

When it comes to law and order, Quran formula is similar to American laws, here is how it works.

1. If bad guys stop in front of your property and march in to throw you out

2. You tell them to back off

3. If they still come towards you, you warn them to back off

4. If they make an attempt to attack you

5. You attack and chase them

6. If they run and hide behind the bushes 

7. You  hunt them down wherever you can find them and kill them on your property   

Click on the image to get the larger readable version

Every one of those verses that advocate, “ Hunt them down where ever you can find and  kill them” verse,  the same formula is adopted and in addition Quran advocates the following – Stop the pursuit, if they repent, surrender and retreat from attacking you”

I am sick of these guys who present only half truth.  Finding the truth is your own responsibility, go buy three different translations and figure it out yourselves.  Your peace of mind is your business.
Now, here are those 13 propaganda verses and my response directly from Quran.I hope no one is gullible enough to buy this propaganda. In the future if you see these, please visit the Quran, read three verse before and three verses after the verse,  and you will appreciate the wisdom of all loving merciful and just God.     

     1. You can rape, marry and divorce pre-Pubescent girls; Qur’an 65:4

Real Verse: 65:4 (Asad) Now as for such of your women as are beyond, the age of monthly courses, as well as for such as do not have any courses, [10]their waiting-period – if you have any doubt [about it] – shall be three [calendar] months; and as for those who are with child, the end of their waiting-term shall come when they deliver their burden. And for everyone who is conscious of God, He makes it easy to obey His commandment:

This is goofy and there is nothing to discuss, next?

2.  You can enslave for Sex and work; Qur’an 4:3, 4:24, 5:89, 33:50, 58:3, 70:30

I will pick first and the last of the 6 verses.

4:3 (Asad) And if you have reason to fear that you might not act equitably towards orphans, then marry from among [other] women such as are lawful to you [3] – [even] two, or three, or four: but if you have reason to fear that you might not be able to treat them with equal fairness, then [only] one – or [from among] those whom you rightfully possess. [4] This will make it more likely that you will not deviate from the right course.

70:30 (Asad) [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses – that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock] – : [13] for then, behold, they are free of all blame,


Self-Explanatory and the verse quote in the propaganda is completely false
3. You can beat sex slaves, work slaves, and wives  Qur’an 4:34 

4:34 (L.Bakhtiar) Men are supporters of wives because God gave some of them an advantage over others and because they spent of their wealth. So the females, ones in accord with morality are the females, ones who are morally obligated and the females, ones who guard the unseen of what God kept safe. And those females whose resistance you fear, then admonish them (f) and abandon them (f) in their sleeping places and go away from them (f). Then if they (f) obeyed you, then look not for any way against them (f). Truly, God had been Lofty, Great.
Comment:  “beat them” was the interpretation that was produced for its full history, however, a scholar by the name Laleh Bakhtiar, had done thorough research in 2012 and has rectified the error. The Arabic word for beat is Daraba, which was used 21 other times in Quran to mean “separation” and sorry to say, men have always interpreted what suits them, and this is one of the few instances. Quite a lot is written about it including my own presentation at World Muslim Congress:http://www.worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2014/05/wife-beating-is-culture-of-men-and-not.html
4:34 (Asad) MEN SHALL take full care of women with the bounties which God has bestowed more abundantly on the former than on the latter, [42] and with what they may spend out of their possessions. And the right­eous women are the truly devout ones, who guard the intimacy which God has [ordained to be] guar­ded. [43] And as for those women whose ill-will [44] you have reason to fear, admonish them [first]; then leave them alone in bed; then beat them; [45] and if thereupon they pay you heed, do not seek to harm them. Behold, God is indeed most high, great!

4. You will need 4 Muslim male witnesses to prove a rape; Qur’an 24-4

24:4 (Asad) And as for those who accuse chaste women [of adultery],[6] and then are unable to produce four witnesses [in support of their accusation], flog them with eighty stripes [7] and ever after refuse to accept from them any testimony – since it is they, they that are truly depraved!
[6]  The term rnuhsanat denotes literally ‘‘women who are fortified [against unchastity]”, i.e., by marriage and/or faith and self-respect, implying that, from a legal point of view, every woman must he considered chaste unless a conclusive proof to the contrary is produced. (The passage relates to women other than the accusers own wife, for in the latter case – as shown in verses 6-9 – the law of evidence and the consequences are different.(Quran Ref: 24:4 )

[7] By obvious implication, this injunction applies also to cases where a woman accuses a man of illicit sexual intercourse, and is subsequently unable to prove her accusation legally. The severity of the punishment to be meted out in such cases, as well as the requirement of four witnesses – instead of the two that Islamic Law regards as sufficient in all other criminal and civil suits – is based on the imperative necessity of preventing slander and off-hand accusations. As laid down in several authentic sayings of the Prophet, the evidence of the four witnesses must be direct, and not merely circumstantial: in other words, it is not sufficient for them to have witnessed a situation which made it evident that sexual intercourse was taking or had taken place: they must have witnessed the sexual act as such, and must be able to prove this to the entire satisfaction of the judicial authority (Razi, summing up the views of the greatest exponents of Islamic Law). Since such a complete evidence is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to obtain, it is obvious that the purpose of the above Quranic injunction is to preclude, in practice, all third-party accusations relating to illicit sexual intercourse – for, “man has been created weak’’ (4:28) – and to make a proof of adultery dependent on a voluntary, faith-inspired confession of the guilty parties themselves.(Quran Ref: 24:4 )

Self-explanatory – everything in Quran is a two way street, if a woman is suggested to wear modest clothing, invariably, men are told to lower their gaze.
5. Kill Jews and Christians if they do not convert or pay Jiziya Tax; Qur’an 9:29

9:29 (Asad) [And] fight against those who – despite having been vouchsafed revelation [aforetime] [40] -do not [truly] believe either in God or the Last Day, and do not consider forbidden that which God and His Apostle have forbidden, [41] and do not follow the religion of truth [which God has enjoined upon them] [42] till they [agree to] pay the exemption tax with a willing hand, after having been humbled [in war]. [43]

There is no mention of Jews and Christians, the propaganda masters have made it up.


“pay the exemption tax with a willing hand, after having been humbled” . Humbled- meaning acceptance of their wrong, not necessarily subduing. It is a common practice in the US if the suing party is silly and outrageous, the attorney fee incurred is granted to the wrong doer. It is a penalty for the unwanted aggression.

Full discourse is at: http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2010/03/quraan-2256-free-will-v-929-compulsion.html

6. Crucify and amputate Non-Muslims; Qur’an 8:12 and 47:4

8:12 (Asad) Lo! Thy Sustainer inspired the angels [to convey this His message to the believers]: “I am with you !” [13] [And He commanded the angels:] “And, give firmness unto those who have attained to faith [with these words from Me]: [14] `I shall cast terror into the hearts of those who are bent on denying the truth; strike, then, their necks, [O believers,] and strike off every one of their finger-tips!” [15]
8:13 (Asad) This, because they have cut themselves off from [16] God and His Apostle: and as for him who cuts himself off from God and His Apostle – verily, God is severe in retribution

47:4 (Asad) NOW WHEN you meet [in war] those who are bent on denying the truth, [4] smite their necks until you overcome them fully, and then tighten their bonds; [5] but thereafter [set them free,] either by an act of grace or against ransom, so that the burden of war may be lifted: [6] thus [shall it be]. And [know that] had God so willed, He could indeed punish them [Himself]; but [He wills you to struggle] so as to test you [all] by means of one another. [7] And as for those who are slain in God’s cause, never will He let their deeds go to waste

7. You will kill non-Muslims to receive 72 Virgins in heaven: Qur’an 9:111


9:111 (Asad) BEHOLD, God has bought of the believers their lives and their possessions, promising them paradise in return, ,[and so] they fight in God’s cause, and slay, and are slain: a promise which in truth He has willed upon Himself in [the words of] the Torah, and the Gospel, and the Qur’an. And who could be more faithful to his covenant than God? Rejoice, then, in the bargain which you have made with Him: for this, this is the triumph supreme!

9:111 (Y. Ali) Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur’an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah. Then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme.

Two translations have been checked, and there is no mention about Virgins. Some men have interpreted Supreme Achievement to getting girls, but that is not in Quran. Wrong people always resort to propaganda to malign religion,  or recruit guys with girl greed. 

8. You will kill anyone who leaves Islam; Qur’an 2:217, 4:89
I will be presenting three translations for you to see the difference in expression.

2:217 ( L. Bakhtiar) They ask thee about the Sacred Month and fighting in it. Say: Fighting in it is deplorable and barring from the way of God and ingratitude to Him. And to bar from the Masjid al-Haram, and expelling people from it are more deplorable with God. And persecution is more deplorable than killing. And they cease not to fight you until they repel you from your way of life, if they are able. And whoever of you goes back on his way of life, then, dies while he is one who is ungrateful, those, their actions were fruitless in the present and in the world to come. And those will be the Companions of the Fire. They are ones who will dwell in it forever.
2:217 (Y. Ali) They ask thee concerning fighting in the Prohibited Month. Say: “Fighting therein is a grave (offence); but graver is it in the sight of Allah to prevent access to the path of Allah, to deny Him, to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque, and drive out its members.” Tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter. Nor will they cease fighting you until they turn you back from your faith if they can. And if any of you Turn back from their faith and die in unbelief, their works will bear no fruit in this life and in the Hereafter; they will be companions of the Fire and will abide therein.

2:217 (Asad) They will ask thee about fighting in the sacred month.[202] Say: “Fighting in it is an awesome thing (grave transgression); but turning men away from the path of God and denying Him, and [turning them away from] the Inviolable House of Worship and expelling its people there from – [all this] is yet more awesome (greater transgression) in the sight of God, since oppression is more awesome (greater transgression) than killing.” [Your enemies] will not cease to fight against you till they have turned you away from your faith, if they can. But if any of you should turn away from his faith and die as a denier of the truth – these it is whose works will go for nought in this world and in the life to come; and these it is who are destined for the fire, therein to abide.  (please note I have used the world Awful in place of Awesome)


Please read the Quran formula above.  
9.  You will behead non-Muslims,  Quran 8:12 and 47:4 ( 8:12 was covered earlier)
47:4 (Y. Ali) Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded): but if it had been Allah’s Will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them (Himself); but (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the Way of Allah,- He will never let their deeds be lost.

47:4 (Asad) NOW WHEN you meet [in war] those who are bent on denying the truth, [4] smite their necks until you overcome them fully, and then tighten their bonds; [5] but thereafter [set them free,] either by an act of grace or against ransom, so that the burden of war may be lifted: [6] thus [shall it be]. And [know that] had God so willed, He could indeed punish them [Himself]; but [He wills you to struggle] so as to test you [all] by means of one another. [7] And as for those who are slain in God’s cause, never will He let their deeds go to waste:

47:4 (L.Bakhtiar) So when you met those who were ungrateful, then, strike their thick necks until you gave them a sound thrashing. Then, tie them fast with restraints. And afterwards either have good will towards them or take ransom for them until the war ends, laying down its heavy load. Thus, it is so! But if God willed, He Himself would have, certainly, avenged you. But it is to try some of you with some others. As for those who were slain in the way of God, He will never cause their actions to go astray.

Please read the Quran formula above.  

10. You will kill and be killed for Allah; Quran 9:5 
M.Asad, “And so, when the sacred months are over, slay those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God wherever you may come upon them, and take them captive, and besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every conceivable place! Yet if they repent, and take to prayer, and render the purifying dues, let them go their way: for, behold, God is much forgiving, a dispenser of grace.”

Y.Ali “But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. “

Personally, as a pluralist, I have a problem with the translations. Glad to see Asad explain “ascribe divinity to aught beside God” versus the world “Pagan” used by Yusuf Ali, and “Polytheists by many others”. I would not use the word Pagan, as God does not mean all Pagans, but those who are in war with you , forcing you to disbelieve. Asad is much closer to the meaning of Quran. Someday, I will write, to make it communicate the meaning to a Hindu, Jews, Christian or a Pagan.
 
Please read the Quran formula above. 

11.  You will terrorize non-Muslims, Quran 8:12 , 8:60
8:60 (Asad) Hence, make ready against them whatever force and war mounts [64] you are able to muster, so that you might deter thereby the enemies of God, who are your enemies as well, [65] and others besides them of whom you may be unaware, [but] of whom God is aware; and whatever you may expend [66] in God’s cause shall be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.

[64] Lit., “tethering of horses” (ribat al-khavl): an expression which signifies “holding in readiness mounted troupes at all points open to enemy invasion (thughur)”; hence, tropically, the over-all maintenance of military preparedness.(Quran Ref: 8:60 )
[65] Lit., “God’s enemy and your enemy” – implying that every “enemy of God” (i.e., everyone who deliberately opposes and seeks to undermine the moral laws laid down by God) is, eo ipso, an enemy of those who believe in Him.(Quran Ref: 8:60 )
Please read the Quran formula above.  
12. Steal from Non-Muslims; Quran Chapter 8The chapter has 75 verses… unless one is pointed out 
13.  Lie to Strengthen Islam: Quran 3:26, 3:54, 9:3, 16:106, 40:28

3:26 (Asad) SAY: “O God, Lord of all dominion! Thou grantest dominion unto whom Thou willest, and takest away dominion from whom Thou willest; and Thou exaltest whom Thou willest, and abasest whom Thou willest. In Thy hand is all good. Verily, Thou hast the power to will anything. 

3:54 (Asad) And the unbelievers schemed [against Jesus]; [44] but God brought their scheming to nought: for God is above all schemers.

16:106 (Asad) As for anyone who denies God after having once attained to faith-and this, to be sure, does not apply to [133] one who does it under duress, the while his heart remains true to his faith, [134] but [only, to] him who willingly opens up his heart to a denial of the truth-: upon all such [falls] God’s condemnation, and tremendous suffering awaits them:
[134] Lit., “one who is coerced, the while his heart is at rest in [his] faith”. This relates to believers who, under torture or threat of death, ostensibly “recant” in order to save themselves. Although the Qur’an makes it clear in several places that martyrdom in the cause of faith is highly meritorious, “God does not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear” (cf. 2:233 and 286, 6:152, 7:42, 23:62, and many other Qur’anic statements to the same effect).(Quran Ref: 16:106 )

40:28 (Asad) At that, a believing man of Pharaoh’s family, who [until then] had concealed his faith, exclaimed: [19] “Would you slay a man because he says, ‘God is my Sustainer’ – seeing, withal, that he has brought you all evidence of this truth from your Sustainer? Now if he be a liar, his lie will fall back on him; but if he is a man of truth, something [of the punishment] whereof he warns you is bound to befall you: for, verily, God would not grace with His guidance one who has wasted his own self by lying [about Him]. [20] 

If you cannot put your name to what you believe,
then it is not worth sharing it.

 Thank you

mike
Mike Ghouse, President
America Together Foundation
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 
Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator onPluralismIslamIndiaIsrael-PalestinePolitics 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 ” Sacred” to be released on 9/11 and a documentary “Americans together” 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 www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at www.TheGhousediary.com – Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. 

Does Islam need a Reform or we just need new interpreters?

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Published at www.WorldMuslimCongress.com
International Conference   
“Intellectual Crises of the Muslim Ummah: Rethinking Traditional Solutions”
Aligarh Muslim University, April 6-7, 2015
PAPER PRESENTATION
by Mike Ghouse

Does Islam need a Reform or we just need new interpreters?

Reform is one of the most detested words among Muslims. On the one hand the academics see the corrupted versions of Islamic interpretations and rightfully want to fix it, whereas, the firebrand religious leaders take it as an attack on their tradition and willing to shed the blood to defend it. 

Click on the image for larger image

And how do we bring the change? The key is communicating the intent (niyya) and a need to understand the issue without pulling the rug from underneath their feet. 

Justice is one word in Islam that wraps balance, harmony, fairness, mercy and equity together for the society to function cohesively, where no one has live in fear of the other but God. Without it, things will degenerate into a dysfunctional society.

In the last decade the pristine Islam we knew has been mangled up, and it is our duty to restore it. 

Sharia is central to all this, which was designed to offer complete guidance to personal and public behavior of a Muslim, and justice to humanity. However, due to human management Justice was not served. 

We have identified a few problems in “applications” of the Sharia laws that undermine the principles of justice in dealing with apostasy, blasphemy, rape, divorce, dhimmi, separation, marriage, child custody, and inheritance, interfaith and other issues.

We need to fix the laws  without it a large swatch of population becomes rudderless. In the Indian context, we may want to go with UCC as it’s’ intent is Justice and is enforceable.


Mike Ghouse, World Muslim Congress, Dallas | Washington (214) 325-1916 |SpeakerMikeGhouse@gmail.com
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Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator onPluralismIslamIndiaIsrael-PalestinePolitics 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 ” Sacred” to be released on 9/11 and a documentary “Americans together” 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 www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at www.TheGhousediary.com – Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

Is United Islam Possible? International Conference at Aligarh Muslim University, India

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Published at: www.WorldMuslimCongress.com

International Conference   
“Intellectual Crises of the Muslim Ummah: Rethinking Traditional Solutions”
Aligarh Muslim University, April 6-7, 2015

ABSTRACT OF PRESENTATION
by Mike Ghouse

II. Is United Islam Possible?
United Islam is not a reality, nor do Muslims have an appetite for it.  Given the unwillingness to acknowledge the otherness of others, a deep chasm has developed and pushed the denominational plates too far apart. However, we should pursue alternatives and strengthen ad hoc federations as a part of existential needs. One Islam is a pipe dream.

Human division is purely based on the God given uniqueness to each one of us. Quran advises in 49:13, “you have been created into many tribes, communities and nations from a single couple” and in another place it tells us that “had God willed, he would have created all of us alike.”


So, what is the alternative to a united Muslim community?  God knows that our uniqueness generates conflict, and as we continue to seek security for our space, fight for sustenance and defend our nurturance, he offers the solution; the best ones amongst you are those who know each other. Accepting diversity is very Islamic and that is the guidance found in Quran.

Prophet Muhammad understood that Islam is a reflection of human nature, and said that his followers will divide themselves up into 72/73 tribes – an elusive number to indicate many. Indeed that is story of all religions.

Everything God has said in Quran is demonstrated by the actions of the prophet. When we become Amins and respect the otherness of others and accept the God given uniqueness to each one of us then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.

Mike Ghouse, World Muslim Congress, Dallas | Washington (214) 325-1916 |SpeakerMikeGhouse@gmail.com
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Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator onPluralismIslamIndiaIsrael-PalestinePolitics 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 ” Sacred” to be released on 9/11 and a documentary “Americans together” 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 www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at www.TheGhousediary.com – Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

Can Muslims lead a conglomeration of faith communities? International Conference at Aligarh Muslim University

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Published at www.WorldMuslimCongress.com

International Conference   
“Intellectual Crises of the Muslim Ummah: Rethinking Traditional Solutions”
Aligarh Muslim University, April 6-7, 2015

ABSTRACT OF PRESENTAION
by Mike Ghouse

Can Muslims lead a conglomeration of faith communities?  Implications of Kalmae siwa

Muslims can lead a willing conglomeration of faith communities if they start believing in being Mukhlooqul Aalameen, representing the interests of all humanity.  It is an extension of their belief in God as Rabbul Aalameen and prophet as Rahmatul Aalameen.

Was Islam ever meant to be a religion for Muslims? Indeed the message of Islam was for those who submitted to the idea of oneness of humanity, universe and its creator, and further believed in accountability of their actions in preserving the harmony of the universe.
God has set himself up as a God of universe – the very first verse in the first and last chapters of Quran declares “Rabbul Aalameen” and “God of humanity” and throughout the Quran the theme is the same.

Quran is not for Muslims, and by making it exclusively ours, we are reducing God to be our property and denying him to others and thus creating a Muslim specific God, as if others have their own.

Implications of 3:64and 3:85God is advising to be truthful, state your belief and acknowledge the otherness of other’s belief (109.6) , but come to common terms and figure out how to work together. The best ones among you are the ones who learn about each other. Knowledge leads to understanding and understanding to acceptance and appreciation of another point of view. 
We have an obligation to lead the world in creating cohesive societies where no one has to live in apprehension or fear of the other.


Mike Ghouse, World Muslim Congress, Dallas | Washington (214) 325-1916 |SpeakerMikeGhouse@gmail.com
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Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on Pluralism,IslamIndiaIsrael-PalestinePolitics 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 ” Sacred” to be released on 9/11 and a documentary “Americans together” 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 www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at www.TheGhousediary.com – Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

Mike Ghouse to speak at Aligarh Muslim University

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PRESS RELEASE

Aligarh Muslim University has organized a two day International conference with the theme -“Intellectual Crises of the Muslim Ummah: Rethinking Traditional Solutions”

The speakers from around the world will speak on a variety of subjects focused on the theme and Mike Ghouse with the World Muslim Congress, a think tank will be presenting a paper on “Does Islam need a Reform or we just need new interpreters? He will be participating in a few other panels, including “Can Muslims lead a conglomeration of faith communities?And is United Islam Possible?
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Mike Ghouse added, “I am pleased to see the efforts of Muslims in India, United States and elsewhere to hold these conferences and advance the idea of an inclusive world, where all of God’s creation is respected as members of one family. We all came from a single couple Adam and Eve, and were made into many communities and nations, as the Abrahimic religions put it, and the Dharmic traditions have its equivalent wisdom in Vasudhaiva Kutumbukum” meaning the whole world is one family.”

Ghouse defines pluralism in action as “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 to create a cohesive world, where no human has to live in apprehension or fear of the other.” Mike plans to release soon on YouTube a 45 Minutes video on Pluralism and Islam.
Mike has written over 2500 articles on Pluralism in religion, politics, society, work place and Islam. Readers can Google search “Pluralism speaker”, “Interfaith speaker” or “Muslim Speaker” for his articles. Dallas Morning News has published over 225 articles and Huffington post over 125 pieces with publication in myriad of other news and media outlets, including The Indian Panorama.

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What if Netanyahu becomes the Prime Minister?

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What if Netanyahu becomes the Prime Minister?  www.IsraelPalestineDialogue.com 

Note – things turned 180 since then, and a new article will be published by Friday, but we will retain this – Mike Ghouse

The world is encouraged with the chances of a new centrist government in Israel. We hope they will be instrumental in laying a solid foundation for long term security for the people of Israel, and serve uncompromising justice for the Palestinians. Both people deserve peace and security, and they should feel home by dropping their guards and feel safer like babies in their mothers lap.


The newly elected Israeli Parties will make the right decision in choosing their New Prime Minister. I am a supporter of Israel and long to see them all live in harmony.  Peace is a necessity for prosperity, and no one will have peace if others around them don’t.   

Israel has lots of friends. They have not become anti-Semite as Netanyahu likes to propagandize. They simply see Netanyahu as a rogue and oppose Netanyahuism rather than Israel, the world is not against the aspirations of the Jewish people, or Judaism. With the new centrist government things will get remarkably better for all parties; Israel, Palestine, Iran, US and the World.

Exit polls have indicated 27 seats for Likud and Zionist Union each. The right wing, left wing and centrist parties play a crucial role in determining the Prime Minister; Netanyahu can still become the PM, if he changes his position like a chameleon, in that case, it is bad news for the Israelis, hopelessness for the Palestinians, a mess for Iranians and a worse situation for the United States.

He is capable of scaring the devil out of Israelis to put the pressure on parties to advance his name for the Prime Ministership.  Then the people of Israel under duress would have chosen chaos, rather than peace. The dream of Jewish people to have a homeland where they felt safe, secure and live without guards will be shattered.

When he said, there will not be a Palestinian state; he has essentially declared a war on the Palestinian Christians and Palestinian Muslims. Hamas can rightfully point to the world and ask what they should do? Of course, they will not ask, they have no reason to trust us or the others.

The State of Israel can absorb all the Palestinians as “equal citizens” – apartheid should have no place in this world. The Palestinians are now challenged to fight back or opt for Masada – i.e., commit suicide rather than burn in Israeli phosphorus bombs (When Jews were pushed to the corner by Romans, they opted to commit suicide rather than surrender).  Can anyone trust the world to stand by the oppressed, or they are on their own.

Hamas has already claimed that they were right about him, and that makes us wrong from the beginning. It is a clarion call to the people of Israel to reject this man Netanyahu and his evil designs.

What about the world? Netanyahu has boldly spat on the disgraceful faces of 161 (out of 166) Nations at the United Nations by rejecting their resolutions to stop the settlements, time and again. He even slapped VP Joe Biden by funding for more settlements when the VP visited Israel, and now he has declared there will not be a Palestine. This is not the way to build nations.

Shouldn’t the world take action and bring justice to the people of Palestine and save Israel from the clutches of Netanyahu. 

161 Nations of the world feel rejected, and their opinion and resolutions are blatantly discarded by Netanyahu, and that is turning into resentment towards the violator. Indeed, it is really anti-Netanyahuism, rather than Anti-Semitism as he likes to paint, and claim to become the savior of the Jewish people and invite them to abandon those rotten countries in Europe and join him in Israel.

He is driven by chaos, and will unilaterally go to war with Iran, dragging the US into his war. It is the same guy who had lied twice about Iraq and now he has another one on Iran. He has also alienated American Jews; a majority of them do not support his take on Iran.

America will be weakened severely; it will wipe us out, and will be worse than the loss of 43 Million jobs, homes and business closures, divorces, budget deficits that the previous president left. 

Solution

The 161 Nations may consider a resolution, that Netanyahu, the current Prime Minister is in direct violation of the world community in establishing Palestine, and unless the Israeli people through their parties choose a Prime Minister who can sit among the civilized nations of the world, and who can respect life liberty and pursuit of the happiness of the Palestinian people, the resolution will stand in place. The resolution calls for pulling the ambassadors out of Israel and sending Israeli ambassadors back to their homes.

The only language bullies like Netanyahu understand is direct threats of isolating him. In a nutshell, Netanyahu is not good for Israel, Palestinians, Iran, the United States or the world. He is the new Saddam Husain who will not hesitate gassing the Palestinians and will alienate Israel further among the nations.

About me: I am deeply committed to building cohesive societies, and have an equal commitment to Jews as with the people of other faiths.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/holocaust-and-the-muslim-_b_4629509.html#es_share_ended   http://israel-palestine-dialogue.blogspot.com/2012/02/about-israel-palestine.html   http://nabsites.net/demo/standing-up-with-jews/  
  ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on PluralismIslam,IndiaIsrael-PalestinePolitics 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 ” Sacred” to be released on 9/11 and a documentary “Americans together” 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 www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at www.TheGhousediary.com – Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. 

Texas Faith: To lead or follow, lessons from the University of Oklahoma

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No American has to live in fear or apprehension of the other, and how do we break that bad habit of speaking negatively about Muslims? First, we need to pass a law to make it an offense to make anti-American-Muslim comments in line with racism, Anti-Semitism, Homophobia and Xenophobia. Secondly, Muslims have to participate in everything American, and not live in silos. The average American needs to know that an Average Muslims is no different than himself in his or her aspiration to have education, a job, raise a family and live the American dream of home ownership. To build a cohesive America we need all of us to participate in what is common to all Americans. Mike Ghouse

Rudolph Bush Follow @dallaspolitics Email rbush@dallasnews.com
Published at Dallas Morning News: March 17, 2015 1:21 pm

The news that has absorbed our part of the world recently revolves around a bus full of frat boys at the University of Oklahoma spouting a racist chant in some weird fraternity ritual.
When two of the young men’s names were revealed, both said they were just repeating what they were taught. They were followers in other words, trying to fit in with a tribe.
In many of our faiths, we are called to follow. We take comfort in the community of our faiths.
But how do we understand, as individuals, when we should follow and when we should step away and when we should try to lead?
MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism and speaker on interfaith matters, Dallas
The expressions “monkey see monkey do” or “blind following” and “jumping sheepishly” are a part of the animal in us. A majority of us find it convenient to mock rather than act out of sanity, reason or rationality.
The Oklahoma University’s study of frat boys spouting racist chant, as they have said, was repetition of what they were taught, they may not like to be linked to “monkey see monkey do,” but that is what they did.
Obviously most of the things we do on a daily basis amount to following something or the other, whether it is at work, chores at home, behavior at social gatherings, playing, place of worship and even dating.
The word “follow” is bombarded into our psyche day-in and day-out. For a majority of us, it is convenient to follow rather than do the painful work of thinking and getting confused given the time we have for the given chore.
Here is a beautiful story to narrate blind following in Hinduism, and it is the same in all religions and will share in the future. One great Hindu scholar reaches the banks of the sacred river Ganges to take a dip, as it symbolically washes the sins and relieves the individual. It is a like walking on Via Delarosa in Jerusalem or performing Hajj for Christians and Muslims respectively.
The crowd recognized this great man, and decided to follow him. Obviously he knew what to do.
The Scholar lays his brass tumbler on the banks and walks into the river. On a second thought, he returns right back to secure his tumbler from being stolen. He digs up the sand, places the tumbler in it and covers it up and walks back into the river, then he comes back again, as he would not be able to recognize where he buried the tumbler since waves make the surface even. He plucks a branch from the nearby bush and sticks on the sand where the tumbler was and goes back to take the dip. The crowd was pleased to learn this erudite ritual.
When the scholar returns from the river to the bank to fetch his tumbler, he was shocked to find hundreds of branches stuck on the sand, amazing followers!
My experience and study of Fox News has offered me a few clues about when to follow and when to question on the issue of breaking habits.
When the law prevents and nails you from being a racist or making Anti-Semitic statements or hateful rhetoric against LGBT, how do you unload your pent up hatred and prejudices? Fox found that outlet; dump it on Muslims. Indeed, they have successfully created negative profiles of Muslims.
The average Fox Fan falls into that trap and is suspicious of American Muslims and equates them with terrorist abroad. The crimes committed by Muslim Americans are proportionate to their population – less than 3%. That puts everyone on par, yet the News Media shamelessly stereotypes Muslims. The University of North Carolina did a study and found Muslim-linked terrorism claimed the lives of 37 Americans while more than 190,000 Americans were murdered since 9/11. (Less than 1/10th of 1%)
No American has to live in fear or apprehension of the other, and how do we break that bad habit of speaking negatively about Muslims? First, we need to pass a law to make it an offense to make anti-American-Muslim comments along with racism, Anti-Semitism, Homophobia and Xenophobia. Secondly, Muslims have to participate in everything American, and not live in silos. The average American needs to know that an Average Muslims is no different than himself in his or her aspiration to have education, a job, raise a family and live the American dream of home ownership. To build a cohesive America we need all of us to participate in what is common to all Americans.

To read the take of other panelists, please visit Dallas Morning News at
http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2015/03/texas-faith-to-lead-or-follow-lessons-from-the-university-of-oklahoma.html/#more-52901

Thank
you

mike
Mike
Ghouse, President
America Together Foundation
(214) 325-1916
text/talk
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer
and a commentator on Pluralism, Islam, India, Israel-Palestine, Politics 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 ” Sacred” to be released on 9/11
and a documentary “Americans
together
” 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
www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are
at www.TheGhousediary.com – Mike is
committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on
issues of the day. 

Is It Time for the Jews to Leave Europe?

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Is it time for the Jews to leave Europe?
Link – http://nabsites.net/demo/is-it-time-for-jews-to-leave-europe/

I am deeply saddened with the extent and prevalence of Anti-Semitism in Europe. Jeffrey Goldberg, the author of the article has put together a comprehensive and precise educational document.

I have been collecting information for a while to speak and write an article on rise of Anti-Semitism and how to mitigate and reverse the trend. Personally, I have been doing my tiny little share of work towards it through education at the annual Holocaust and Genocides event for the last eight years, and standing up for Jews (just not Jews, but all humanity that is harassed) every time and against any one when I saw the ugly head of Anti-Semitism.

February 15, 2015: A man worships in the 
Ohel Abraham synagogue, near where the anti-Semitic 
riots in Sarcelles erupted last summer.

Reading this article in Atlantic has  discouraged me beyond my own abilities to be positive. I can empathize with the Jews how they feel about this. What’s wrong with Goddamned God to put his own creation through such turmoil?   For the last two hours, I was obsessed with the ugly thought, “I cannot do anything about it” and wanted to shut down and walk away.

I am back again, took a deep nap and woke up with a strong feeling, that I will not be discouraged, and I will continue to do my share of work.

One of my tiny judgments is my observation that the partial “rise” in Anti-Semitism in Europe and across the globe has to do with Netanyahu’s brutal policies towards Palestinians. Much of the ‘current” prejudice against Jews may  actually be anti-Netanyahuism, rather than Anti-Semitism. 161 of the 166 Nations consistently feel slapped by him, as he went against their resolution (UN) every time. He blatantly violated the UN resolutions, he even slapped Joe Biden with more settlements against the US policy.  That is no way to build a nation, and it has its own expressions reflected in Anti-Netanyahuism, which unfortunately the people of Israel are paying.

Like most of the moderate and progressive Jews, I am reading and expressing all aspects of the issue, with a few  judgments here and there and resisting and questioning myself at my blog Israel Palestine dialogue. I have spent a considerable amount of time, writing over 100 articles and I am not going to give up, if I do, how can I blame others for chickening out?

There goes my half a day and I feel this is an investment in righteousness. I am deeply committed to do my share of Tikkun Olam in building cohesive societies where no one has to live in apprehension or fear of the other.

Anti-Semitism is a curse on humanity, it is a dangerous virus that messes the social fabric, and take it from me, those who have this virus, are also infected with the brother viruses like Homophobia, Islamophobia, xenophobia, racism and misogyny. If you got one, you got the others. We must all take a stand against these evils of the society, that feed off each other.

This is a historic documents to read and teach about the evils of inhumanity, hatred, bias, stereotyping and prejudices towards the minorities.  This is the story of minorities every where, as a Muslim kid, I have experienced a touch of the similar incidents mentioned in this article, but shamefully not as much as others to feel the agony in full, but I feel the apprehension and sadness, and it is painful to me.  What I clearly see is the harassment of Hindus, Christians, Shia and Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan;  Hindus, Buddhists and Ahmadiyya Muslims in Bangladesh, Muslims Christians and Dalits in India, Jews in France and other nations, Palestinians in Israel, African Americans, LGBT and Muslims in the United States. It is there every where.

We all have to do our share of work in our own circles, immediate neighborhoods and communities. Shame on us, if we take the attitude, “I don’t want to offend them” or worse,
“they are not against me, why bother”  If we seek goodness of people around us, all will be the beneficiaries of goodwill.

Jeffrey Goldberg’s article ” Is it time for the Jews to leave Europe” in the Atlantic magazine. is worth studying.

A few excerpts where I paused and was lost are;

“I’ve spent much of the past year traveling across Europe, in search of an answer to a simple, but pressing, question: Is it time for the Jews to leave? Europe is a Jewish museum and a Jewish graveyard, but after the war it became, remarkably—and despite Hitler’s best efforts—home once again to living, breathing Jewish communities. Is it still a place for Jews who want to live uncamouflaged Jewish lives?”

“I know this is a dangerous thing to say … but the Holocaust didn’t satisfy.”

“Another man, of Sudanese background, explained that the Koran itself warns Muslims to fear double-crossing by Jews. “They killed the prophets and tried to poison the Prophet Muhammad,” he said. I did not hear critiques of Israel’s occupation policies.”

“Europe has blamed the Jews for an encyclopedia of sins. The Church blamed the Jews for killing Jesus; Voltaire blamed the Jews for inventing Christianity. In the febrile minds of anti-Semites, Jews were usurers and well-poisoners and spreaders of disease. Jews were the creators of both communism and capitalism; they were clannish but also cosmopolitan; cowardly and warmongering; self-righteous moralists and defilers of culture. Ideologues and demagogues of many permutations have understood the Jews to be a singularly malevolent force standing between the world and its perfection.”

Full article by Jeffrey Goldberg is at http://israel-palestine-dialogue.blogspot.com/2015/03/is-it-time-for-jews-to-leave-europe.html

Mike Ghouse 
www.MikeGhouse.net
Speaker on Israel