Blasphemy Charges against Christians Shafaqat Masih and Shagufta Bibi in Pakistan, Muslims Condemn these charges.

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Evil exists because good people do nothing about it – all it takes for evil to subside is for the good people to speak up.
The formula is simple: The evil people (in all nations and all religions) are less than 1/10th of 1% – if 5 of them scream, all we have to do is get 10 of us from a lopsided pool of  99% to speak up,  and I have seen them run – realizing that there is no support for them.
The latest is the SMS blasphemy charges, the good news is that the Deobandi Ulema have promised the Christians to bring amendments to blasphemy charges in Pakistan, it would be good to see them keep their promise.
Blasphemy and Apostasy are tools of tyrants to suppress people; it is not Islamic in any sense.  Prophet showed the right way by example, but the Muslim monarchs, dictators and a handful of ulema (it is shame that we call them Ulema instead of Jahil) like all damned fascists erected the apostasy and blasphemy charges to oppress.
Besides, these fanatics are dumb people, if they really want to convert other people, pray for them, like the Prophet, instead of pushing them. Don’t kick the beehive if you want to gather honey.  
The Muslims of today – I mean the 99% of Muslims are civilized and cultured,  and we should not let 1/10th of 1% of Jahils (brutes) dictate the nature of Islam.
As a Muslim I condemn these shameful and ugly acts against Christians, and as Muslims, it is our duty to stand up for the oppressed. 
Please remember, Islam is not going anywhere; prophet is not going anywhere, and by opening ourselves up to criticism, we will learn a lot more about our faith than we would ever know. We need to move away from intolerance to acceptance of a different point of view without having to agree with it. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) lived through it and Muslims can learn from his examples.
Criticism can fade away or rain on us depending on how Muslims respond to it.  Lack of conviction in one’s faith breeds intolerance towards criticism, whereas firmness in faith can lead us to learn from criticism, explore the infinite wisdom and realize the strength of our faith (Imaan); a worthy feeling to have, instead of living in doubt and shooing criticism away.
Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net 
www.WorldMuslimCongress
and WorldMuslimCongress@yahoogroups.com
BLASPHEMY CHARGES
ASIA/PAKISTAN – “Technological Blasphemy”: Christian couple arrested for insulting Muhammad via SMS
Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) – A new “front” of blasphemy seems to be opening in Pakistan after the life sentence of a man accused of having sent a blasphemous SMS (see Fides 15/07/2013), cases and complaints of blasphemy via SMS increase. As reported to Fides, another blasphemy case was registered against a Christian couple in the town of Gojra, in Punjab. Shafaqat Masih, 35, and his wife Shagufta Bibi were arrested by the local police because accused by the Muslim Rana Mohammad Fiaz for having sent a blasphemous SMS on the Prophet Muhammad. The police traced the SIM card and arrested the couple.
A court of first instance validated the arrest, placing further investigation. Shafaqat Masih is disabled and his wife is a waitress in a local school. Their two teenage children are now being taken care of by the NGO “World Vision in Progress”, which also aims to provide legal assistance. Gojra is a place which is “religiously sensitive” since 2009, when, due to a case of alleg ed desecration of the Koran, the Christian area of the city was set on fire, causing 8 deaths, destroying 40 homes and a church.
Currently the debate on blasphemy through new technologies, mobile phones, computer resources is alive in Pakistan. The Telecommunications Authority and the government are discussing technical solutions to the problem of the presence of blasphemous material on the Internet, on YouTube, on social networks. Many are calling for a law to limit and censor blasphemous Internet sites.
Another issue is the abuse of the law of blasphemy, sometimes used instrumentally to hit opponents. As reported to Fides, recently a delegation of 15 ulema in Karachi, of the Islamic school of thought “Deobandi,” assured its support to the Christian community to propose an amendment to the blasphemy law: the goal is to stop their misuse against members of religious minorities.
Among the cases reported by Fides is that of a Christian 15-year-old from Karachi, Ryan Brian Patras, accused of having sent blasphemous SMS to some peers (see Fides 12/10/2012) and the victim of a plot. The boy and his family escaped by miracle from the murderous rage of a few extremists. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/07/2013)

Interfaith Marriages – Religious Double Standards Leave Many Muslims Single

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Indeed,
there are more single Muslim women in the United States than single men.

As a
pluralist and an interfaith specialist who has conducted many interfaith
marriages between people of different faiths, I continue to
learn, understand and know the issues, and the more I learn, the more openings pop up, learning is an endless commitment.

Nearly half of Muslim single women are over 40
and divorced, and they rightfully don’t want to marry another guy
without knowing him – but how?

Every man she talks with feels he is entitled to
her, shame on men and their culture for their stinky attitude. No one
is entitled to any, and the Muslims women I have talked to resent it and
hate talking to another Muslim (same with Hindus) Man.

I
looked up several matrimonial ads, and an overwhelming majority of women
(over 50) have checked no religious preference in the box provided, and
even go on to say that they are not religious. Many have marked
spirituality instead of Islam or Hinduism. Many women have remained
single for a very long time. Why should they?

What are your choices?

Continued at – http://nabsites.net/demo/interfaith-marriages-religious-double/

Mike Ghouse is an interfaith marriage minister and a speaker on Islam,
pluralism, interfaith, multicultural and future societies. www.MikeGhouse.net

Texas Faith: Should evangelicals push for immigration reform?

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Texas Faith: Should evangelicals push for immigration
reform?

The time for immigration reform is now and most Americans support
it. In a Gallup Poll released in June this year, 87% of Americans support
reform, so now it is the responsibility of our elected representatives to pass
it into law. Would they dare lose in the mid-term elections by opposing the will
of the people? No. This is their last hope to remain elected.

Texas Faith: How hard should evangelicals push for
immigration reform?
By Bill McKenzie / Editorial Columnistwmckenzie@dallasnews.com
10:55 am on July 23,
2013 | Permalink
 

Leaders of the Evangelical Immigration Table will meet on
Capitol Hill Wednesday to continue praying for and advocating for a broad
immigration reform. In other words, they want a package that goes beyond simply
securing the border.
This group has a long list of supporters. They represent
evangelicals from both conservative and liberal traditions. And they have a set
of principles that guide their work. You can read all of this at this
link:
This group also gathers regularly and continues to press for
reform. Their outreach includes meeting with legislators, reaching out to media
and generally lifting up Capitol Hill in prayer. They also are attracting press
because evangelicals were not as outspoken for change back in 2007, when the
last immigration debate took place. Here is an article from The Atlantic that
details their work.
But this debate is about to get into some brutal politicking.
The GOP-led House is clearly not interested in going as far as the
Democratic-led Senate in crafting a comprehensive plan. For example, most House
Republicans do not appear very eager to grant illegal immigrants a chance to
earn citizenship or some kind of legal status.
Yet evangelicals could be the trump card. The Atlantic piece
described the role of evangelicals this way, quoting Ali Noorani of the
pro-reform National Immigration Forum: “Pro-reform groups view these efforts as
essential. ‘I don’t think a House vote happens without evangelicals,’ Noorani
said. ‘The only reason it happens is because evangelicals are
engaged.’”
So, my question is this: How hard should evangelicals — or any
other religious groups in favor of immigration reform — push for
change?
This debate is not likely to move ahead in the House without a
great deal of arm-twisting. But is that the role for people of
faith?
MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism,
Dallas, and speaker on interfaith issues
The time for immigration reform is now and most Americans support it. In a Gallup Poll released in June this year, 87% of Americans support reform, so now it is the responsibility of our elected representatives to pass it into law. Would they dare lose in the mid-term elections by opposing the will of the people? No. This is their last hope to remain elected.

I am glad evangelicals are more practical now than ever before. A series of losses in electing their candidates has taught them a lesson in compromise, and I welcome their new avatar. They will be at best a catalyst in garnering support from other religious groups. But they will not be the springboard to reform, although attention is shining on them.

Evangelical influence is over-rated. In January 2012, a group of them met in Houston to prop up their presidential candidate, who did not go anywhere. They also thought Obama was done with when he supported same sex marriage. They even supported a presidential candidate who called for self-deportation, but failed again.

Indeed, evangelicals once were opposed to immigration reforms, writes Jenny Yang in Washington post, “In 2006, evangelicals were polled to be the most anti-immigrant among other religious groups surveyed.”

What brings change? Many things.

Among them is the Dream Act, which tilted the Hispanic vote towards Democrats. Their vote was a key determinant in winning the 2012 race. Predictions were made that Romney needed 51% of the Hispanic vote to have a chance to win. He only got 27% and did not make it. Even the Asian community, which is driven by immigration, gave a whopping 73% of their votes to Obama.

Church demographics are changing as well. While membership among the traditional evangelicals is declining, Hispanic membership is increasing. That signals evangelicals need to be a part of the change and not get sidelined.

The immigration issue is certainly breaking the monopoly of any particular group on public policy. Indeed, no single group will determine the outcome of immigration reform.

While appreciating evangelicals for their change of heart, as people of faith, we need to come together and beef up our support for the religious, civic and political organizations committed to reform. After all we are a nation of immigrants.

To read all other opinions at Dallas Morning News – http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2013/07/texas-faith-how-hard-should-evangelicals-push-for-immigration-reform.html/

My Speech, ” We need immigration reform now”  at the Immigration rally in Down Town Dallas, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrjU0KULv-Y
. . . . .

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

A Tribute to Dr. Muhammad Khalid

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A
TRIBUTE TO DR. MUHAMMAD KHALID
Inna Lillahi O Inna Ilaihi Ur raje-oon – from God we come and to God we go.
Dr. Khalid was battling with cancer for a while, and today, he passed away.
His funeral prayers will be held at Richardson Mosque, 840 Abrams Road, Richardson,
TX 75080 after the Noon prayers around 1:45 PM – it’s at intersection of Spring
Valley and Abrams Road. Thanks to Brother Muhammad Suleman for sharing this
information.
1-Dr. Muhammad Khalid 2-Dr. Khalid Muhammad bw 3-DrKhalid 4-Wedding pic

Dr. Khalid has been a significant part of the community, and I have known him for nearly twenty years. I have a lot of great memories to share and hope to share them in the coming few weeks.

The First Dallas’s Desi paper was Asian News, and he attended the inauguration
event and spoke, we have had a major Cricket Tournament in 1996, and Khalid was
there. We opened the Radio – Asian News Radio, the forerunner to the Radio
business in Dallas in 1996, and he was there in the discussions. He spoke at
the first Holocaust and Genocides commemoration in Dallas by Muslims. Then he
was a part of several Desi Thanksgiving Celebrations, and he was a part of it,
indeed, he would hang out till the end and dance to the music with his Cowboy
boots.

Indeed, he was instrumental in drafting the constitution of the Pakistan
Society and the meetings were held at my Hillcrest office for a year.

Together we organized the first Unity Day USA event to commemorate the 9/11,
and he has been a part of the event every year except in the last few years.

This man has done a lot of good work and may Allah present him with the best place
under his grace. Alhamdu Lillah.

Mike Ghouse

Texas Faith: Do the political comebacks of scandal-marred politicians mean we’re forgiving or indifferent?

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SHOULD MORALITY BE A FACTOR IN QUALIFYING A POLITICAL
CANDIDATE?

Indeed we have become more tolerant and indifferent towards
the morality of the elected officials; it appears that is not the issue with
Weiner, Spitzer, and a host of others. As a nation we have to define what we
want in our elected officials, sadly, fidelity in marriage will not be the one.
The real question is do we want morality as a factor in qualifying the
political candidate?  We are not looking for exemplary all round candidates any
more? Are we looking for someone who can get the job done.  Mike
Ghouse
Texas Faith: Do the political comebacks of scandal-marred
politicians mean we’re forgiving or indifferent?
Dallas Morning News | Published on July 16, 2013,
2013
By Wayne Slater 
Whatever happened to shame? It wasn’t that long ago that a politician
tainted by a sex scandal or caught cheating on a spouse was finished in public
life. But a couple of political comebacks this year illustrate how things have
changed. Two years after he resigned from Congress for sending a sexually
suggestive picture of himself to a follower on Twitter, Anthony Weiner is in
contention for mayor of New York City. Eliot Spitzer abandoned the state’s
governor’s race in 2008 in disgrace following reports he frequented high-end
prostitutes. He could be the city’s next controller.
And they’re not alone. Mark Sanford was elected to Congress in South
Carolina after admitting an affair in 2009. David Vitter overcame scandal when
his name showed up on the customer list of the “D.C. Madam” in 1999, winning
reelection to the Senate and is at the top of the GOP list to be the next
governor of Louisiana. And Bill Clinton, despite the White House intern scandal,
is more popular than ever.
What’s happened? What does it say about the culture that behavior once
considered inappropriate or indecent, doesn’t pack the same punch it once did.
Are we more understanding, more willing to forgive? Or have we just become
indifferent? In politics and religion, no narrative is more powerful than the
backslider redeemed. But there’s another tradition in politics: we hold the
leaders we elect to office to certain standards and believe that failure to meet
those standards has consequences.
Here’s this week’s question: What do recent political comebacks by
scandal-tarred politicians say about our culture? Have we become more tolerant
and forgiving or grown more callous and indifferent?
MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, speaker and writer on
pluralism and interfaith cooperation
 A
quarter century ago, the Presidential candidate Gary Hart lost the Democratic
Party’s nomination to Michael Dukakis for his extramarital affair, who in turn
lost to George Bush in the General Elections. The nation debated about rejecting
a good candidate over sexual morality, the sentence I recall from that era was,
“Are we electing a saint?” It particularly became relevant when George Bush
broke the promise, “Read my lips, no new taxes.”
There were random discussions on John 8:7, “Let him who is without sin
cast the first stone,” and Matthew 7:1, “Do not judge, or you too will be
judged.” I have always wondered the impact of these conversations in assessing
the moral caliber of the elected officials. Indeed, the shift was significant.
It seemed all the good candidates were blemished, and in desperation we
were willing to overlook the morality for the right candidate. Bill Clinton
established a new benchmark in that direction. In the recent primaries we
blatantly ignored Newt Gingrich, a double cheater on his two helpless wives. It
was a human failure and nothing to do with being a Republican or a Democrat;
neither could cast the first stone.
The society has changed to a great extent as well; we treasured and
looked up to long term marriages with awe, and that is not the case anymore.
Many among us have affairs, and we have chosen not to judge others, as it became
insensitive to someone or the other close to us. President Jimmy Carter with the
cleanest record on morality failed us on the economic front, and George Bush
with good morals ultimately lied to the nation about wars, and in the last
election, the GOP gave a ticket to the one who hid his money overseas and was
secretive about his tax returns.

Indeed we have become more tolerant and indifferent towards the morality
of the elected officials; it appears that is not the issue with Weiner, Spitzer,
and a host of others. We are not looking for exemplary candidates any more, but
someone who can get the job done. As a nation we have to define what we want in
our elected officials, sadly, fidelity in marriage will not be the one. The real
question is whose morality? Do we want morality as a factor in qualifying the
candidate?

To read all the contributions, please go to
Dallas Morning News at: http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2013/07/texas-faith-do-political-comebacks-by-scandal-marred-politicians-mean-were-forgiving-or-indifferent.html/

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

Ghouse about Pamela Geller on Chicago Radio 1450

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GHOUSE ON CHICAGO RADIO ISLAM WCEV 1450 AM

July 15, 2013. 6-7 pm (CT). I’ll be speaking for free speech, particularly the British ban on Islamophobe Pamela Geller. The Quran says don’t let your bias make you unjust towards the person, and the prophet says, the only way to combat evil is to do good.

Even though Pamela Geller has an active campaign going against me, I’ll stand up for her right to free speech, indeed, I took the same stand two weeks ago on Hannity show at Fox News with her. 

We will never go wrong standing up for free speech. Free speech has just one rule – free speech for all. If you introduce exceptons like who is allowed and who is not, then you are subjecting it to human flaws and the discretion causing chaos and injustice.
She can spew whatever hate she wants; Muslims have the option to counter it by holding a similar rally right after her speech. Hold placards asking people to respectfully hear another point of view. Have a debate with her with a good moderator, who sets the rules of engagement, one item and one issue at time – and not allow any one to jump from branch to branch like monkeys. I will be happy to do that fairly and evenly without being unjust to her or her opponent; being Just is a bigger value in Islam than bulldozing others when you have the reins in your hands.

Instead of protests and denying her the opportunity, engage her in a dialogue; do the public a service by presenting your point of view. Nothing beats free speech. 

Muslims are not a part of the society, we need to be involved deeply, it is our country, and we need to be a part of every aspect of the society for people to stand up for us out of friendship rather than a short-term sense of justice. 

All we need to do is to start becoming Muslims and start over again – with the first foundational Sunnah practice of the prophet; to be the Amin – to be truthful, just and earn the respect from Christians, Jews, Hindus, Pagans, Wicca, Native Americans, Sikh, Shinto… how many of us can list a few friends from each category? If not, why not?  Why should anyone stand up for us, if we are not willing to do the same for others?  Fellow Americans and fellow humans should feel safe with us and not scared.
I will submit a proposal, the burden will fall on Imams to shoo away Muslims from Mosques and get them out to be the Amin’s first, instead of pulling them to mosques.  First thing first. Then you see the least resistant to build a mosque in Murfreesboro, Ground Zero or any place. We will even be welcomed to be part of the July 4th parade or veterans day or New Years parade. When I visited the opening of MLK Statute in Washington DC – where were Muslims? In Dallas, where were Muslims on the opening of the Hunt bridge – 40,000 people attended the event, and I was scanning for Muslims – just two made it including me, what a shame! 

Full interview on MP3 will be posted. http://myaccount.dropsend.com/file/923cd0511ba02ef6
Username: speakermikeghouse@gmail.com

Password: WkrewdHx

Mike Ghouse

Thank God I am alive today, a new commitment to a new life

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THANK GOD, I AM ALIVE TODAY – ITS NEW LEASE ON MY LIFE 
On Tuesday morning,
the Farmers Branch paramedics team responded to my 911 call, and within 30
minutes they had me on the ER table, and the good doctors unclogged the
artery and placed a stent to keep the blood flowing. Doctor Siddiqi said
another 30 minutes would have been too late, and I would have gone!
It was the severe
chest pain coupled with sweating that got me alarmed. I didn’t want to call any
one that early, but texted my friend Adil,  he was driving out of town and
thanks to him for suggesting to call 911, and after debating within, I
reluctantly made the call,  it was the right thing to do. If you or your
loved ones were in a similar situation, please don’t hesitate to call
911. 
Father Daughter
God willing, I will
be active in a few days, meanwhile I ask you to strengthen your existing
relationships with your loved ones. Don’t know who is going to go when. Let’s
be good to fellow beings and live a regret free life, at least from here
forwards. I request you to forgive my shortcomings and excesses.
Thank you for your
friendship.
PERSONAL SIDE

Continued: http://nabsites.net/demo/thank-god-i-am-alive-today-new/

Thanks to Yasmeen for
her persistent push for me to lose weight, indeed, I owe her a big thank you for getting
me down from 215# to 190#, at one time I had gone down to 179#, today I’m 189.
She has set a goal of 175# for me, and I will listen to her dutifully now, and
enjoy the dieted delicious foods she will be fixing for me.
One of the best
things that has happened to me is the time I am getting to spend with my grown
up daughter, son, daughter in law and my 15 day old grand baby Jayden. Mina, my
daughter is with me for the last four days, and will be with me for
another week. I did not realize she is so caring, loving and responsible to
keep me on tract from medicine to food to driving me around. I am looking
forward to two weeks of heaven with my kids; this is one of the biggest joys of
my life. Then I will be heading to Yasmeen and spend another week or two with
her before I get back to normal working, speaking and writing. 
Thanks to Dr. Amer
Shakil for treating me some five years ago, and then Dr. Asifa Ijaz. I wish I
had listened to them, and continued with the medication they had prescribed. If
you are like me, don’t act like me, please listen to your doctor.  
On Tuesday morning on
July 9, cold sweat flipped me upside down.  I got up earlier than I had
planned on getting up for my first suhoor (early meal to commence fasting) of
Ramadan due to massive chest pain, it was early in the morning and did not want
to call anyone, and I thought it would go away from aspirin… It did not. So,
I reluctantly called 911.
While waiting for the
ambulance, an old scene returned to my mind, way back in mid sixties, I had
fallen from a tree and had recited a few verses from Qur’an (Ayatul Kursi,
Fatiha, and Ikhlas) thrice in less than thirty seconds while I was unconscious
(my friends told me that).  Even though I consider myself a rationalist, I
still cannot figure out how I was able to recite all that in such a short
period of time. Once again, on Tuesday morning, I repeated that recitation
while waiting for the paramedics. 
At 11:13 PM on
Monday night, I “started” the 1st day of Ramadan note and posted
at www.ramadandaily.com, this would have been the
4th year of writing about Ramadan, everything you wanted to know about Ramadan.
 Thank God, I have been able to visit every mosque of every denomination
during Ramadan with a determined purpose of learning and sharing the uniqueness
of each tradition with the other without prejudice. The more we know about the
other, the lesser biased we would be, and subsequently free ourselves from the
evil of prejudice. 
I urge every
religious person of every faith, particularly the ones who are biased towards others,
or the ones hung up with others to make an effort to enjoy true freedom and
liberation from hate and ill will by learning about the other, until you find good positive information. 
My first Iftaar (breaking
of fast) was going to be with Dr. Imam Yusuf Zia Kavakci at the Richardson
Mosque. Dr Kavakci is a man I greatly respect and have consistently mentioned and written
about him for the great qualities of a Muslim he is blessed with. The last time
we met was about two weeks ago at Zahra Khan’s funeral (my friend Adil’s 19
year old angel, who is considered Shaheed, God’s favorite person as she died
with cancer) a week ago, Dr. Kavakci gave me a special hug, a very affectionate
one like my father, and said a lot of nice things in public prior to the
prayer, it meant a lot to me.  
This is my first
RAMADAN in four years; I won’t be able to do anything. However,  if you have an interest
in learning about the spirituality, traditions and politics of Ramadan, please
visit www.RamadanDaily.com. Even though I won’t be
fasting and visiting mosques this season, I’ll still continue to write about different aspects of
Ramadan. 
Thru the grace of
God, I am alive today with a renewed mission to follow the teachings of my
mentors; Prophet Muhammad, Jesus, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. 
I am committed to do the
following to the best of my ability;
1. To be the Amin –
the truthful, trustworthy and an instrument of safeness to fellow
Americans. 
2. To be a conflict
mitigater and a goodwill nurturer 
3. To be “just”
in every aspect of life 
4. To live with an
open heart and an open mind towards fellow beings, 
5. To Stand up for
others.
6. To work on fixing
the ill practices of individuals within my religion; Islam
7. To work on fixing
the ill practices of individuals within my Party; GOP
May Allah guide me to
remain on the path and I appreciate your support in moving forward. Thank God,
I have no religious, political or national walls between me and another
individual, and it’s good to be free.
The Spiritual freedom
is indeed the greatest achievement in one’s life and it sticks to you. Those of
us, who can free ourselves from ill-will, malice, hate, tension, pain, anxiety,
apprehension, hostility, stress, strain and conflicts, are showered with
blessings of peace and joy.  It is good to be free. 
Blessed are the
peacemakers.
Mike Ghouse
www.mikeghouse.net 
Mike
(214) 325-1916
—-
Mike Ghouse is
a speaker, thinker and
a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion
at work and social settings. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and
offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike
has a strong presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a
frequent guest on Sean Hannity show and the O’Reilly Factor 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
everything you want to know about him.  

Texas Faith: Was it moral to shut down the Texas Senate?

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Texas Faith: Was it moral to shut down the Texas Senate?

Demonstration in the gallery of the Senate, or a filibuster are not the healthy way to affect the decision-making process, but when people are apprehensive of the imminently dangerous decisions, they resort to those tactics out of sheer frustration. Let’s say, if they would not have demonstrated and Senate had passed the bill, would people have gladly accepted that? We need to improve our systems to ensure our liberties are not hacked by the Senate mob in the first place – Mike Ghouse

Texas Faith: Was it moral to shut down the Texas Senate?
Dallas Morning News, published on July 3, 2013
Editor: Wayne Slater

Last week’s week’s filibuster in the Texas Senate stopped an abortion bill and catapulted Sen. Wendy Davis to national political attention. Television stories beamed pictures of hundreds of cheering, jeering protesters who shut down Senate business while Republican leaders struggled to regain control. In the end, the bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy failed and Gov. Rick Perry called the Legislature back into another special session on Monday.
The protesters – criticized as a mob by some and hailed as heroes by others – were very much a part of the story, if only because it’s rare democratic institutions in this country are brought to a halt by people chanting from the balcony in a legislative chamber. The episode has been the focus of heated debate in terms of politics and ideology. Set aside which side you’re on. What if the roles were reversed. When is it ethical and moral to shut down a institution of government?
The question: Was it moral to shut down the Senate? Not whether it was politically successful or tactically expedient or even whether your side prevailed or not, but was it moral?
MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism
Oscillate I did, it was a difficult issue, but indeed it was moral for the mob to shut down the senate.
We have a greater dilemma of chicken and egg to deal with; the Senate has an august responsibility to make decisions that are sustainable. Would it be moral for the Senate, and not necessarily legal for them to pass a bill because they have the majority of votes on party lines? If it were, the decision remains questionable, and any decision pushed on an unwilling people is not sustainable. Would that amount to mob rule in reverse?
Our morality is driven from the ideal that all men are created equal, and when a decision does not factor in that ideal, and legislates women to be obedient in the matter of abortion, then we have lost the ideal that our society was founded upon; women would not be equal. How are we better than the Taliban mob who imposes their will on their women folk?
Obama’s health care bill was pushed through the first time because of the Democratic majority in the House and the Senate, but when the Republicans got the majority they made several attempts to undo it. There is a lesson to be learned, consensus is critical for a decision to sustain.
Demonstration in the gallery of the Senate, or a filibuster are not the healthy way to affect the decision-making process, but when people are apprehensive of the imminently dangerous decisions, they resort to those tactics out of sheer frustration. Let’s say, if they would not have demonstrated and Senate had passed the bill, would people have gladly accepted that? We need to improve our systems to ensure our liberties are not hacked by the Senate mob in the first place.
It was certainly immoral on our part, the part of public not to have demonstrated against the evil wars. Had we done that, our nation would not have lost our sons and daughters, would not have racked up budget deficit, would not have witnessed break up families, loss of jobs for millions of Americans, foreclosures, and record personal bankruptcies.
After all, we are the government of the people, by the people and for the people. If Texas Senate or US Congress becomes a mob, we have the right to be the counter-mob and take action to protect our freedom.
. . . . .

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

…..

Vacationing in Jamaica is good, very good indeed.

      Comments Off on Vacationing in Jamaica is good, very good indeed.
It is good to be here, good people, great service and simply a good experience vacationing.
We’ve been here for three days now, and it’s nothing but good experience and
relaxation. It’s the friendliness and willingness of the people to serve that makes Jamaica a great spot for vacationing!

More pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157634552811985/show

Coyaba Resort in Montego Bay sits right on the ocean, and our room was a stone’s throw from
the beach – additionally they have built a ramp that goes about 500′ feet into
the ocean with a place to sit…right in the middle of nowhere… With the
waves making that consistent musical beat. Yasmeen and I sat there last night
for a good two hours gazing into the darkness, the stars and the sky…and I
watched the sunrise enjoying the early morning breeze on my face… Heavens,
from the ramp, you can enjoy the sunset and sunrise equally with no
obstruction.

Roy, the tour guide drove us over the hills,…sugar plantations, and
little hamlets… On the way, we stopped and ate the fruits I’ve not had in
years… Jack fruit, little bananas, fresh coconuts and other fruits… Ate at
the local restaurant, and the food was delicious…… jerk chicken was a
disappointment, curried goat was alight. I will stick to the grilled food, we
cannot go wrong with it. Top three foods of Jamaica – Jerk Chicken, Curried Goat and Oxtail. I am glad we tasted all the foods out there, but was not moved by any, there is no desire to seek that food. 
Of course, we carried great conversation with Roy about everything on earth from religion to politics to cricket to pluralism and gay and lesbian issues. I will write a separate note about it.. he was incredibly conservative but believed in one’s freedom a right to his or her pursuit of happiness. You always learn from a healthy conversation where knowledge is learned and exchanged without judgments.

On the other hand, we went to dinner in a cab, and that conversation was a difficult one – he was down on Rastafarians ( a tradition of its own) and I made my effort for him to consider and respect different beliefs, he was very set in his mind, he hated Muslims, but did not have any personal experience with any Muslims, all he was going was by what he reads in the papers. I did my mitigation and long pauses to understand the whole gamut of the problem… and it would take a lot of work and a lot of sharing and caring… I have to do my work, Gandhi has said that to me twice (in my dreams) that every human should value the other.

I don’t think any one should miss Negril beach… The sand is soft and
powdery…It’s like walking on cushion… One of the most beautiful beaches with
every possible sports activity….. We took a glass bottom boat… That took us
a good 1000 feet into the ocean to see the reef and the fish… We could have
walked .. The water was no more than 5′ high…
We really resisted the stupidest thing of all : shopping, and I am thrilled
to no end that she believes shopping is best in America.
It was good to be here, good people, great service and simply
relaxing.
. . . . . 

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

Happy July 4th, July 4, 2013

      Comments Off on Happy July 4th, July 4, 2013

URL – http://nabsites.net/demo/happy-july-4th-july-4-2013/

We are  blessed to be Americans, the land of the free. And we are willing to stand up for the liberties
of fellow Americans, and fellow humanity, because we believe that
all men are created Equal.

I am proud to be an American!

WHO ARE
WE?  

We are Americans! We are one nation under God, indivisible with
liberty and justice for all.

We are represented by every
race, nationality, ethnicity, language, culture and religion.
Collectively, 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.
Americans together are
committed to preserving the pluralistic heritage of America

TRAILER
OF THE FILM: Americans Together

No American has to live in apprehension or fear of the other. 
We have systems in place to safeguard that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMXsTo4VYh8&feature=youtu.be


The safety, security
and freedom of every American hinges on each others safety.  I cannot
be safe if people around me are not!

I cannot be secure if I threaten others around me…

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.

WHAT DOES FREEDOM MEAN TO YOU?
http://nabsites.net/demo/july-4th-what-does-freedom-mean-to-you/ 

. . . .

A
MUSLIM’S JULY 4TH VIDEO
SPEECH 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXNS365UEw4&feature=channel_video_title 

Delivered at the Annual Ahmadiyya Muslim convention

ISLAM, AMERICA
AND JULY 4th.

Freedom is one of the most
cherished values of humanity and I am pleased to share its arrangement in
American and Islamic space. Both emphasize the freedom of conscience, justice
and liberty.  

As American Muslims, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all
men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of
Happiness.”

Full story at
Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/muslims-and-july-4th-cele_b_886642.html#es_share_ended

WHAT AM I DOING TODAY?

Yasmeen and I are staying in Fort Worth for two days and today after my 2nd speech, I am heading to see my kids and 7 days old grand baby Jayden Rahman Ghouse, as well as stop by my friends Adil and Nosheen who just lost their 19 year old daughter Zahra Khan to cancer on Monday.

MY SPEECHES ON JULY 4TH

7:30 PM – 8:45 PM
Norris: Live Oak
How to Build a Cohesive America
by Mike Ghouse
Deep down, all of us want a just society where everyone feels safe and
secure without anxiety, discomfort or fear of the other. 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. Motivational speaker and writer
Mike Ghouse will take us through common aspirations to our rights and
obligations, and how each one of us can contribute toward such a society in the
simplest way. Indeed, Ghouse asserts, we want to live our lives as good
neighbors and let others live theirs.
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM
Norris: Sage
Standing up for Others
by Mike Ghouse
Standing up for others is the right thing to do. If we don’t stand up for
those who are vulnerable, then who will stand up for us when we are vulnerable?
This program will be heavy on real examples of standing up for others from
atheists to Zoroastrians and every one in between including immigrants, LGBT and
others. It is a moving story that almost everyone can relate to. Motivational
speaker and writer Mike Ghouse hopes that this program will inspire each person
to go out and do small acts of goodness on their own.
immigration reform
Mike Ghouse is
a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work and social
settings. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic
solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a strong
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 everything you
want to know about him.