Quran Burning and exemplary Muslim Questions.

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The following responses were given to Questions 
PRESS RELEASE is at:  http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/08/planned-muslim-response-to-quran_18.html

At least we can expect two outcomes, as it will be watched world wide and some one will torch our embassy somewhere or become destructive and media will go berserk. 

1. Let the Muslims around the world watch, and they will, that violence is not the behavior of Muslims- that is not what Prophet taught or Qur’an says. They all know it, but a reminder is good, isn’t it? 

2. Let the World know that there is a standard set of behavior for the followers of the man who is considered a mercy to mankind – those who don’t follow, did not get their religion right, and hope some sane minds will consider that and not blame Islam, but blame the individual criminals for their wrong doing. 

Just because nothing is happening now, it does not mean that many a people think Islam is the religion of peace like every religion. should we wait something to happen and react?

No religion should ever be blamed for the acts of individuals, get the rascals and punish them and get it over instead of nagging the religion for ever. NO religion, yes, No religion ever teaches to hate, kill, maim, rape, loot and violate others freedom. 

Prophet Muhammad was a man of peace, like Jesus, Moses, Krishna, Buddha, Zarthustra, Mahavira, Nanak, and several others in formal and informal religious traditions along with Gandhi, MLK and others.

To build cohesive societies, we have to remove the myths about each other. Place the blame where it belongs, punish the wrong doer individual and keep the society safe. You cannot punish, kill, hang, bury or beat up religion- its intangible,so why blame?Each one of us has to contribute our individual share of good in building cohesive societies, and this is our humble effort. If it fails, so be it. We are not here to win or loose, but to do our Dharma and let God’s grace work its own ways. 


REQUEST

We are preparing to publish, “What do they say” – a collection of sane wisdom in response to the Press release below. If you could compose a note in 100 words (not a word more please), we will place it before our advisory to select those that go towards building cohesive societies, where we all can get along and live without fear of each other. Please remember, it is not a Muslim thing, it is an American thing and about living in America.

 

THANK YOU

Pastor Jones wants to burn 3,000 Korans in Polk County

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Follow us: @myfoxtampabay on Twitter | FOX13TampaBay on Facebook

Posted: Aug 22, 2013 4:53 PM CST Updated: Aug 22, 2013 4:56 PM CST

By: Ken Suarez, FOX 13 Polk Bureau Reporter – bio
Follow us: @myfoxtampabay on Twitter | FOX13TampaBay on Facebook

Video at:  http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/23233567/2013/08/22/pastor-wants-to-burn-3000-korans-in-mulberry

 

Muslim Response to Qur'an burning by Pastor Jones on 9/11/2013 in Mulberry, Florida

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Please feel free to share, all the updates will be at
www.WorldMuslimCongress.com on the right panel under the heading Quran
Burning.  



PRESS RELEASE

Mike Ghouse
Text/Talk: (214) 325-1916
MikeGhouse@aol.com

Mirza A Beg
(205) 454-8797
mirza.a.beg@gmail.com
www.WorldMuslimCongress.com


PLANNED MUSLIMS RESPONSE TO QUR’AN
BURNING BY PASTOR JONES ON 9/11/13 IN MULBERRY, FLORIDA

The Muslims will respond to pastor
Terry Jones’ planned burning of 3000 copies of Quran on September 11, 2013 in
positive terms.

Unwittingly Pastor Jones has done us a favor by shaking us
up by his decision to burn nearly 3000 copies Quran on September 11, 2013.
Obviously he is not satisfied by the notoriety he garnered by burning one
Qur’an last year. 

As Muslims and citizens we honor the free speech guaranteed
in our constitution. We have no intentions to criticize, condemn or oppose
Pastor Terry Jones’ free expression. Instead, we will be donating blood and
praying for goodness to permeate in our societies.

We plan to follow Jesus Christ (pbuh), a revered prophet in Islam as well as
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) – that of mitigating the conflicts and nurturing good
will for the common good of the society, where no American needs live in
apprehension or fear of the other.

We hope, this event and the message will remind Muslims elsewhere in the world
that violence is not the way. Muslims, who react violently to senseless
provocation, should realize that, violence causes more violence,
and besmirches the name of the religion that we hold so dear. We believe
that Prophet Muhammad was a mercy to the mankind, and we ought to practice what
we believe.

As Muslims citizens we ought to adhere to the teachings of Quran and the acts
of the Prophet. We must not insult Islam by our reaction.

We can only hope it will bring about a change in the
attitude of the followers of Pastor Jones and in the behavior of those Muslims
who reacted violently the last time Pastor sought notoriety – We hope this
small step towards a bridge to peaceful coexistence would propel us towards
building a more tolerant cohesive society. Like most Americans a majority of
Muslims quietly go about their own business, but it is time to speak up and
take the positive action instead of negative reaction. May this small step of
peace and goodwill reverberate and reach many shores.  

Lastly,
we appreciate the Citizens of Mulberry, Florida, Honorable Mayor George Hatch,
City Commissioners, police and Fire Chiefs for handing this situation very
well.  We hope to add a feather of peace in the City’ reputation, this
City will be a catalyst in the nation in handling conflict with dignity and
peace.
We thank the Media for giving value to the work
towards peace rather than conflict.

# # #

Pluralism is not a dirty word

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This blog is all about my writings, however, when some one else writes or quotes about me, I included this at this blog. Azrul Mohd Khalib has quoted the article I wrote about Ramadan – Mike Ghouse.

Courtesy – The Malay mail online.

AUG
12 — While I was listening to the Hari Raya Aidilfitri sermon at the
National Mosque the other day, I was struck by its gloomy, depressing
and combative tone. Rather than a message of celebration and rejoicing
at the achievements represented by the conclusion of the holy month of
Ramadan, the sermon was one which spoke in strident tones about the
enemies of the faith, and attacks and threats to the ummah. 

One
of the elements identified in the sermon as being a threat to Islam
(along with secularism and feminism, strangely enough) was pluralism. 

Somehow,
in less than 10 years, pluralism has become from being a proud
attribute of multicultural and multi-ethnic Malaysia to one that has
been vilified and has left certain people trembling in their boots. 

In
case anyone is unsure, the Oxford dictionary defines pluralism as being
a condition or system in which two or more states, groups, principles,
sources of authority, etc., co-exist. In the context of Malaysia, a
condition in which numerous distinct ethnic, religious or cultural
groups are present and tolerated within a society. 

Somehow, someone, somewhere has deemed pluralism to be the equivalent of a four-letter word. 

Pluralism
lives and breathes in Islam. It is embedded in the rich traditions of
Islamic academia where from antiquity the religion prides itself in the
diversity of views and the value of rigorous academic discourse and
dialogue. Thus, the discourses and arguments of Muslim jurists and
scholars of the likes of Al Kindi, Al Biruni, Ibn Sina are spoken in the
same breath as the Greek and Roman philosophers such as Socrates,
Cicero and Marcus Aurelius. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle ||
[]).push({});

The best example of religious pluralism in Islam
comes from the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself who offered a delegation
of Christians from the kingdom of Najran his own mosque, Al-Masjid
al-Nabawi, for their prayers. What is this gesture if not recognition of
the plurality of religion by the Prophet? Didn’t other religions not
only survive but also flourish under early Islam? What does it say to
others that pluralism is now considered a bad thing?

As I sat
listening to this rather gloomy sermon, I was struck by how successfully
pluralistic Islam has been and still is. Consider the fact that the
congregation that morning was from all walks of life, composed of
peoples of different ethnicity and from many countries, spoke at least a
dozen different languages, and were all gathered together in one faith.
This is what Islam and any of the other world’s religions are about:
the diversity of their congregations is their strength. There is much to
be proud of. Yet we have a sermon preaching that plurality is bad.

We
do not live in a bubble. To deny pluralism in Islam is to deny what
makes the faith one of the great religions of the world. The beauty of
these religions is marked by the fact that they open their arms to all
but bar their doors to none.

It’s strange that everywhere else
in the world, the pluralism of Islam is a source of pride. Mike Ghouse
of the think-tank World Muslim Congress recently highlighted this very
issue in his article “One Ramadan Many Celebrations; Islamic Pluralism
in Action” published in the Huffington Post. Yet, in our country, we are
running down the very strength of this great religion. Why? What are we
so scared about?

We seem to be scared of shadows and terrified
of change. It struck me that it could be as simple as the powers-that-be
had little or no comprehension as to the meaning of the word. Perhaps
an officer had included the term and it has stuck there ever since. To
any right-minded person, It just doesn’t make sense. And because we are
ignorant and are unwilling to learn, we strike out at what we do not
know. Ignorance breeds fear. What does that say about us?

There
is a bunch of people promoting monism by virtue of disparaging and
demonising pluralism. Monism is a state of mind which argues that the
variety of existing things can be explained in terms of a single reality
or substance. They insist that their perspectives, opinions and
judgments are the only acceptable reality for all and may not be
questioned. This arrogance is not what our faith is about. Neither is it
about being rigid, regressive, dominant, tyrannical nor authoritarian.
These are the antithesis of what Islam should and is all about. Oh, and
these people often sound like children scared of the unseen bogeyman who
lurks underneath the bed.

I later heard from someone who was
watching the Raya prayers on television and who listened to the sermons.
She decided midway to switch the channel to something a lot more
festive and appropriate for the day. The tone of the sermon just felt
wrong and depressing. So the next time the label “pluralism” is hurled
at our feet as if it were something to be ashamed of, or something dirty
and something to run away from, we should pick it up and wear it as a
badge of honour and pride.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Maaf Zahir dan Batin! –

See
more at:
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/opinion/azrul-mohd-khalib/article/pluralism-is-not-a-dirty-word#sthash.baT9wCBI.dpuf

Celebrating India's 67th Independence Day

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Fellow Indians, 

We are Indians and nothing but Indian.

An Indian is an Indian is an Indian, period.

We are Adivasis, Atheists, Bahais, Bos, Buddhists, Chrsitians, Dalits, Hindus, Jains, Jewish, Muslim, Sikhs, Tribals, Zoroastrians and every possible grouping. We are Brown, Black, White, Yellow and green with envy and phir bhi dil hai Hindustani (our heart is Indian).

Our Motherland is represented by every race, nationality, ethnicity, language, culture and religion. 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.

We are proud of our heritage – a multi-faith, multi-cultural, multi-regional and multi-linguistic society, where we have come to accept and respect every which way people have lived their lives. For over 5000 years, India has been a beacon of pluralism – it has embraced Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Baha’i and Zoroastrianism to include in the array of the indigenous religions; Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism.  

We may want to consciously start thinking and acting as one people, one people within a nation and a community and one people globally. It’s like home when we are conflict free.  I do hope each one of us purges any bias towards the other, there is joy in being free from ill-will. Try to be free from it this day forward… free from anything that prevents you from being a part of the whole.

Our combined philosophies believe in one world ; Hinduism describes the world as Vasudaiva Kutumbukum, the whole world is one family, the idea of Ek Onkar(one) in Sikhism, you are all created from the same couple as Quraan puts it and Jesus embraced every one regardless of who any one is… similar philosophies are grounded in all our religions.

A few don’t follow their own heritage and resort to theivary, loot, murder, terrorism, rioting, rapes, infanticide and other evils that destroy the fabric of the society,  but a majority of every group goes about their own way, living their life with struggles and ease and don’t even bother others. We should build upon the 99% of population and not on the less than 1% that does not follow any principles.

On this day, and every day from here forward, make a pledge to yourselves to talk about in terms of we Indians – and not Malyalee, Gujarati, Bengali…. or Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Isaee. Don’t expect others to jump and say the same, give them the time and if you are consistent for at least a year, you will see others emulating you.
India led the way to the freedom movement, since 1947 every country has been liberated from colonialism. Indian democracy is a shining example to the world, where the people have peacefully transferred the powers. Indians are inherently secular and economically capitalistic. They believe in “live-and-let-live” life style, which is the essence of capitalism.

Through the years we have expressed the highest degree of maturity on handling extreme situations; the more divergent opinions we hear, the larger our heart grows, the bigger our embrace would be and we can cushion more differences. Let’s continue to honor the concept that there is always another side to the story, as finding the truth is our own responsibility. I am proud of my heritage and am proud to be an Indian-American.

Click and enjoy:

Jai Hind

Mike Ghouse

Committed to cohesive societies
www.MikeGhouse.net
Please visit for more details about India. http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/

MikeGhouse is committed to building a Cohesive Societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam,India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he writes weekly at Dallas Morning News and regularly atHuffington post, The Smirking Chimp and several other periodicals. His daily blog iswww.TheGhousediary.com

Egypt is burning: Sean Hannity on Fox News with Mike Ghouse

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Mike’s talking points:

 Sean, I told you a year ago, and repeated again, that the people who dared
the might of Mubarak to earn freedom, risked their lives in Tahrir Square will
not let another dictatorial regime of Brotherhood snatch it up. They will fight
and get their freedom back, and they did.
Obama called in Morsi to announce and hold elections to ensure the support
or lack of it, but respectfully honor 40 Million Egyptians demand. The pig
headed Morsi did not listen. Had he listened to Obama, this chaos and Mayhem
would have been prevented. Obama is also right to ask the interim regime to respect the protestors.
The announcement of emergency rule was necessary to restore law and order;
however, killing 149 people for demonstrating against government is wrong, dead
wrong. The interim regime is no better than the Morsi or Mubarak regimes. You
cannot curtail free speech and demonstration that is the foundation of a healthy
democracy.

The looting and shooting must be checked – in the mayhem – Mary Guirguis Church in Sohag, and Suez, as well as properties owned by Copts are being attacked. The Brotherhood is accused of doing this – regardless of who it is, the criminals must be punished. 

The hallmark of civil society is how the minorities, women, children and the weak are treated and protected in a nation, and this applies to every nation.

Right now, the Egyptians Copts are apprehensive and that does not bode well for Egypt. From an Islamic point of view, it is goes against the very grain of Islam – Prophet Muhammad has proclaimed that protection of the properties of others is a basic right and if a Muslim is unjust towards others, on the day of Judgment, He will stand up in support of the victim and against the Muslim. This document is preserved at St. Catherine Monastery in Mt. Sinai. We need to preserve that document before the extremists get to it. 

Brotherhood was an oppressive and extremist organization, but they have
a right to exist and right to speech and propagate their extremism, just as we
have similar organizations in other nations.  The Military guy Sisi sneaked into
the freedom seekers and has hijacked the freedom of the people, and taking it out on the members of the Brotherhood. 
I am proud of the Nobel Prize Laureate ElBaradei who resigned as the
interim VP, and said, “It has become difficult for me to continue bearing
responsibility for decisions that I do not agree with and whose consequences I
fear,” ElBaradei wrote. “I cannot bear the responsibility for one drop of
blood.”

No one can oppress the other forever, it is bound to collapse. The
oppressor lives in fear and his days will always be numbered. We have a full
history of it in front of us we can see no oppressor has ever lasted for long.
Now if the interim government becomes an oppressor, they need to go, and the
freedom fighters will be getting rid of these sickos who are killing
people.
There will be more bloodshed – but ultimately freedom will win.
There is a price to pay to earn the freedom; every nation has gone through
that exercise including our own US of A, ultimately the Egyptians will get their
freedom.
Mike Ghouse

—————
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 aCohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day atwww.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in Standing up for others and has done that throughout his life as an activist. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington post; and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes his work through many links. 
Egypt declares state of emergency
The exceptional measures were taken as “the security and order of the
nation face danger due to deliberate sabotage, and attacks on public and private
buildings and the loss of life by extremist groups,” the presidency said.

Interim president Adly Mansour “has tasked the armed forces, in
cooperation with the police, to take all necessary measures to maintain security
and order and to protect public and private property and the lives of
citizens”.

More than 100 killed as Egyptian forces break up sit-in
CAIRO — Nearly 100 people were killed in clashes across the country that
erupted Wednesday when Egyptian security forces cleared out thousands of people
at sit-ins demanding the return of ousted president Mohammed Morsi.

The Egyptian Health Ministry says 149 people died and hundreds were
injured in the clashes, after which Egypt’s interim president declared a state
of emergency and night-time curfew.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/08/14/egypt-camps-demonstrators/2651377/

US Condemns Egyptian Govt for Using Violence Against Protesters
The
White House has strongly condemned Egypt’s interim government for using violence
against supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.

He also
repeated calls for the mostly Islamist protesters to “demonstrate peacefully.”

Egypt’s military-backed interim government launched a deadly crackdown on
pro-Morsi protest camps in Cairo earlier in the day, triggering condemnation
from leaders of Muslim nations that backed the deposed leader.

The White House opposes Cairo’s imposition of one-month state of emergency
in response to escalating unrest in the country.
Egypt’s Interim Vice President ElBaradei resigns while clashes across Egypt
leave more than 100 dead
In a resignation letter sent to Interim President Adly Mansour as the day’s
death toll from clashes throughout Egypt mounted, ElBaradei cited “decisions I
do not agree with” regarding the government’s crackdown on the political turmoil
which began on July 3 with the ouster of former President Mohammed Morsi,
Reuters reports.
“It has become difficult for me to continue bearing
responsibility for decisions that I do not agree with and whose consequences I
fear,” ElBaradei wrote. “I cannot bear the responsibility for one drop of
blood.”

Happy Independence day to India and Pakistan

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HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO PAKISTAN AND INDIA
http://nabsites.net/demo/happy-independence-day-to-india-and/

President Obama will probably wish both the people a happy independence day  – Pakistani Americans on 14th and Indian Americans on the 15th, as an American I will do the same. Wish you all a very happy independence day. 

A day will come when every American, Indian, Pakistani and people from other nations will live without apprehension or fear of the other within their boundaries and with other nations. That is indeed true independence and freedom. 

 

17 years ago for 7
years, I had a Radio program in Dallas for the Desi (people of India, Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka) people, and from August 1 through 15, every day
we talked about each nation; its culture, history, geography and the foods.

On August 14th, on my Radio show, Indians would sing Pakistani
National Songs and the Pakistanis would reciprocate by singing Indian
National songs on the 15th.

The Partition was
difficult and intense – with people moving from one land to the other and vice
versa, perhaps it was the greatest human migration in a single week ever. Of
course it came with massive suffering – people killing and butchering each
other on both sides. Unless we both people learn to acknowledge that the
suffering and infliction of misery was mutual, we will continue to harbor
ill-will and inject that in our kids. Some people live with hate and ill-will
until they die and never receive the true freedom.  I hope we all grow up and not carry this
forward and neither run the sewer of hate in our kids veins.
Again, I wish a very
happy independence day to both the Pakistani and Indian friends. As an Indian,
I will do my own celebrations, reflecting on what I can do to contribute
towards the wellbeing of my motherland: India.
Jinnah’s speech on
August 14, 1947: http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/legislation/constituent_address_11aug1947.html

Nehru’s’ speech:
http://www.theholidayspot.com/indian_independence_day/voice_of_freedom.htm
 
INDIA: http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/2011/08/happy-independence-day-india.html
Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net

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 and offers pluralistic
solutions on issues of the day atwww.TheGhousediary.com.
He believes in Standing
up for others and has done that throughout his life as an activist.
Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a
frequent guest on Sean
Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks,
he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly
at Huffington post; and
several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes his
work through many links. 

Oprah Winfrey's biggest mistake

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OPRAH WINFREY’S BIGGEST MISTAKE
URL –http://nabsites.net/demo/oprah-winfreys-biggest-mistake/

Oprah made the biggest public mistake of her life by not telling the racist Zurich Store woman that she will buy that damned hand bag and should have insisted on seeing it… indeed, her in-action is a permission for the store clerk to continue with her racism. Shame on you Oprah!

This is the classic example of racism. About twenty years ago, one of my Black Attorney clients was looking to buy a new home – we talked, based on his needs I suggested  Perry Homes in Highland Shores – he laughed! I asked him what? He said he has been there and was given the classic treatment – precisely what Oprah went through in Zurich.

He really wanted that home, I took him and his wife to that subdivision – after the “welcome to Perry Homes spiel” – she said, these homes are expensive – and started giving the price range… I stopped her right there with my sharp – So?  I was outraged at her racism.  I was trained and I knew that is not what is taught in new homes. I was a veteran in the industry. I made the points to her, she was apologetic.  Of course, my client decided on another builder.

I thought, those days are gone, but surprised to see it exists in Zurich.

I am however guilty – once in 1987 another lady was denied access to a property because she was black. I was out of handle, but my friends in the business calmed me down, I continue to feel guilty about it.

It is much better than it was 30 years ago when I had experienced quite a lot of racism. Thanks God it is declining.

Oprah made the biggest public mistake of her life by not telling who it is – and without that the store can continue to be racist. Oprah you are wrong and shame on you. If you don’t do the right thing, who will? Shame on you that you are a celebrity and did not do a things about the wrong.

We have come a long way in America, and thank God for America for the paving the way of civility and respect for every human. We have a lot more to go, but we are leading the world despite our deficiencies. 

Good News update:

Finally, I am glad Oprah got the apology and made the point, and made the big news. I do hope the the racist attitudes be questioned even from a business point of view. From a Moral point of view, those attitudes need to be punished from a mere reprimand to training courses in respecting others, no matter what race, religion or ethnicity they belong to. In public square – that attitude should not be acceptable.

I am glad it turned out to be a bigger event to make the point. Thank you Oprah for making that point. If your intent was to make a bigger point. I salute you, and I will withdraw my comment that you were wrong.

Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies where on one has to live I apprehension for fear of the other. He continues to offer pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him at www.MikeGhouse.net 

Oprah’s blunder about India – http://nabsites.net/demo/oprahs-blunder-indians-eat-with-hands/

====================

Oprah was victim of ‘racism’ on Swiss shopping trip

Winfrey, one of the world’s richest women, told a US TV programme that she was refused service in a handbag shop in Zurich and told that the products in the shop were “too expensive” for her.

“I was in Zurich the other day, in a store whose name I will not mention. I didn’t have my eyelashes on, but I was in full Oprah Winfreygear.

I had my little Donna Karan skirt and my little sandals. But obviously ‘TheOprah Winfrey Show’ is not shown in Zurich,” she told Entertainment Tonight.

“I go into a store and I say to the woman, ‘Excuse me, could I see the bag right above your head?’ and she says to me, ‘No. It’s too expensive.'”

The saleswoman went on to suggest she look at cheaper bags.

Winfrey said she left the shop calmly after the incident, but said that it proves that racism is still an issue.

http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/oprah-was-victim-of-racism-on-swiss-shopping-trip-29485861.html

—————- ————
Oprah gets Swiss apology for ‘racist’ encounter while shopping

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/oprah-gets-swiss-apology-for-racist-encounter-while-shopping-1.1404042#ixzz2bUsTtS31
GENEVA — It’s a glamorous playground of the rich and famous, filled with glitterati from princes to movie stars. It’s also a land with a sometimes uneasy relationship with foreigners — especially when they aren’t white.

Billionaire media mogul Oprah Winfrey says she ran into Swiss racism when a clerk at Trois Pommes, a pricey Zurich boutique, refused to show her a black handbag, telling one of the world’s richest women that she “will not be able to afford” the $38,000 price tag. Winfrey earned $77 million in the year ending in June, according to Forbes magazine.

“She said: ‘No, no, no, you don’t want to see that one. You want to see this one. Because that one will cost too much; you will not be able to afford that,”‘ Winfrey, appearing on the U.S. television program “Entertainment Tonight,” quoted the clerk as saying. “And I said, ‘Well, I did really want to see that one.’ And she refused to get it.”

Swiss tourism officials and the boutique owner were quick to offer apologies on Friday.
“We are very sorry for what happened to her, of course, because we think all of our guests and clients should be treated respectfully, in a professional way,” Daniela Baer, a spokeswoman for the Swiss tourism office, told The Associated Press.

The tourism office also posted an apology on Twitter, saying “this person acted terribly wrong.”
Boutique owner Trudie Goetz told the BBC that an assistant had shown Winfrey several other items before the “misunderstanding.”

The newspaper Blick described the bag as a crocodile-leather Tom Ford design named for actress Jennifer Aniston, a fan of the American designer. It quoted Goetz as saying the bag was priced at 35,000 Swiss francs.

“I have to admit that the employee is Italian. Of course, she speaks English, but not as well as her mother tongue,” Goetz said in a video interview on Blick’s website. “It was a real misunderstanding.”

Winfrey was in Switzerland to attend the wedding of her longtime friend Tina Turner, who has lived in Zurich for many years and has been quoted saying how much she enjoys living among the Swiss. Turner was granted a passport earlier this year, a process that typically takes years.

About 23 per cent of Switzerland’s 8 million residents are non-Swiss, and the country earned more than $39 billion from tourism in 2011.

But Swiss authorities acknowledge that foreigners can encounter discrimination. Last year, a government-appointed commission reported that immigrants and “people who visit Switzerland as tourists or who seek asylum here, and people of a different skin colour” can encounter “xenophobia and racism in certain areas of life.”

The nationalistic Swiss People’s Party, which has the largest number of seats in the federal parliament, has won support through claims that immigrants can bring crime and social problems to a country that has been an oasis of stability even in Europe’s darkest days.

In recent years, the People’s Party has successfully campaigned to ban the construction of minarets in a country that has about 400,000 Muslims, and to tighten the country’s asylum law. Swiss lawmakers also narrowly rejected a proposal to ban face-covering veils worn by some Muslim women in public spaces.
And this week, a row broke out over plans to bar asylum seekers living in the small town of Bremgarten from visiting public swimming pools and attending schools.

Human Rights Watch said the agreement by the Swiss migration office to let the town impose “house rules” to limit access to schools and sports facilities violates international law.

It wasn’t the first time Winfrey has taken issue with treatment at a ritzy European boutique. In 2005, she was turned away from a Hermes shop in Paris 15 minutes after closing time. The store said it was closed for a private event.

A Hermes executive appeared on Winfrey’s talk show to apologize for the “rigid and rude” behaviour of the employee. Winfrey complimented Hermes on its response — including sensitivity training for employees — and urged viewers to buy the company’s products.

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/oprah-gets-swiss-apology-for-racist-encounter-while-shopping-1.1404042#ixzz2bUshgGad

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 aCohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day atwww.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in Standing up for others and has done that throughout his life as an activist. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington post; and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes his work through many links. 

ONE RAMADAN, many celebrations, Islamic pluralism in action

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This article at
Huffington post is about how Muslims deal with diversity and differences.
America’s spirit of freedom touches every soul, no matter what religion or
tradition they follow.

The essence of Ramadan is to become humble,
simple and free from ill-will, anger, meanness and hate. Let’s fill our hearts
with goodwill and honor Ramadan by saying “Eid Mubarak” or Happy Eid to everyone
who celebrates on a different day in the same town. The essence of Ramadan is
joy and let’s not prick any one’s bubble; God has not signed a pact with any one
behind others back, let’s rejoice the differences of interpretations. If you
want to celebrate every day, go ahead and do it. Eid is not getting hung up but
rejoicing with friends and families.

Please share if you like it, and at the link in Huffington Post you can
click Like, share on facebook,  twitter or with your groups.  
 
 
Eid Mubarak!.
 
 

Texas faith: What relevance does Pope Francis have beyond the Catholic Church?

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Is Pope Francis relevant?

Thanks to Pope Francis for emphasizing, as the Washington
Post said, “A Gospel teaching that may become the touchstone of his
papacy: mercy.” These are the most inspiring words in a world that has
placed mercy on the mantel. We pray a new norm of religion emerges:
mercy. Muslims are particularly excited about Pope Francis’
message of mercy. He is one of the best representations of the teachings
of Jesus Christ (my pluralist mentor) and Muslims can relate with him.  Indeed Prophet Muhammad is
called “Rahmatul Aalameen – a Mercy to mankind”.

URL – http://nabsites.net/demo/texas-faith-what-relevance-does-pope/

TEXAS FAITH: What relevance does Pope Francis have beyond the Catholic Church?
By Bill McKenzie / Editorial Columnist | 4:23 pm on August 6, 2013 |

Pope
Francis made quite a splash when he said last week in response to a
question about a priest being gay: “If someone is gay and he searches
for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?”
As you may expect, there has been plenty of discussion about what the pope meant. Was he speaking personally? Was he speaking as head of the Catholic Church? Or was he speaking as both?
Beyond
those remarks, the pope has received ample attention for the simplicity
of his lifestyle, his attitude toward the poor and his humility in
washing the feet of criminal offenders. In fact, those are just some of the areas in which the pope has gained attention, as this Washington Post editorial indicates.
Of course, his remarks, attitude and approach have a special audience among Catholics. But
what relevance do they have to non-Catholics? The Catholic Church may
be the world’s largest body of Christians, but what about other
Christians and the many other faith traditions? What difference do
comments from the pope make to them — as well as to non-believers?

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas, and speaker on interfaith issues

Thanks
to Pope Francis for emphasizing, as the Washington Post said, “A Gospel
teaching that may become the touchstone of his papacy: mercy.” These
are the most inspiring words in a world that has placed mercy on the
mantel. We pray a new norm of religion emerges: mercy.
Pope Francis continues to earn the role of world’s religious leadership. On March 13, on behalf of the World Muslim congress,
I welcomed him, “I hope he heralds a new beginning for building a
better world. In behalf of the people of faith or no faith, and my faith
Islam, I welcome the Pope and make myself available to jump at his call
for creating peace in the world, where no human has to live in fear of
the others, let the world be the new kingdom of heaven where we all feel
safe and secure with each other. Amen.”
Unlike
all his predecessors, he is relevant to non-Catholics. “He is a man of
dialogue, a man who is able to build bridges with other faiths,’ says World Jewish Congress President Ron Lauder. Padma Kuppa of the Hindu America Foundation
says: “Pope Francis offers a great opportunity for the Church to build
meaningful and substantive relations with a billion Hindus.” Similarly,
Protestants, Sikhs, Buddhists, and others see a lot of hope in the Pope.
I believe he will heal the wounds of Native Americans as well natives
of the world.
Since
Adam, his message to gays and lesbians is one of the most powerful
statements ever delivered by a world leader other than President Obama.
“If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who
am I to judge?” This is precisely what surrendering to God means.
Atheists
and non-believers are part of his family now. As one observer put it,
“Pope Francis has good news for atheists. Jesus died and was raised for
them as well. His redemptive embrace was for all, not just a chosen
few.”
Muslims
are particularly excited about Pope Francis’ message of mercy. He is
one of the best representations of the teachings of Jesus Christ (my
pluralist mentor). Indeed Prophet Muhammad is called “Rahmatul Aalameen –
a Mercy to mankind”.
He
brought freedom to humanity, freed the slaves, women were restored
their rights to be free individuals. He taught that all are created
equal in the eyes of God, and the humility became the foundation of all
of the Muslim religious practices, including ritual prayers, fasting,
obligatory tithe along with performing the Hajj Pilgrimage.
He
enjoined us that “if any one eats a full meal when his neighbor is
hungry or starving, then he is not from among us.” He never said “Muslim
neighbor.” He loved humanity and asked Muslims to be role models of
mercy, charity, kindness, concern and love to all.

To read the other ten panelists thoughts, please go to Dallas Morning News at :  http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2013/08/texas-faith-what-relevance-does-pope-francis-have-beyond-the-catholic-church.html/