Muslim Together – Ambassador Bob Crane

      Comments Off on Muslim Together – Ambassador Bob Crane

Zoom Show on Sunday, August 1, 2021, 12:00-1:00 PM-EST

Bob Crane is the first Muslim American Ambassador, he served as the Deputy Director of the National Security Council, he was the principal foreign policy advisor to President Nixon. Since the early 1980s, Crane has worked full-time as a Muslim activist. From 1983 to 1986, he was the Director of Da’wa at the Islamic Center of Washington on Massachusetts Avenue. In 1986, he joined the International Institute of Islamic Thought as its Director of Publications and then helped to found the American Muslim Council, now defunct, serving as Director of its Legal Division from 1992 to 1994. In this capacity, he was the founding President of the Muslim American Bar Association. His service to America is immeasurable – Full bio at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Dickson_Crane

The purpose of this Zoom show is to encourage Muslims to run for public office and highlight their contributions towards the political, economic, social, and pluralistic landscape of America. Its open-mic after the guests including Governors, Senators, Congressmen, State Reps & Senators, City council, and School boards members present their point of view.

Register in advance for this meeting, after registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMldOmtrzstH9VvOolJ9V20XFcHnK9DnQtq

Contact: SpeakerMikeGhouse@gmail.com

AL-AMIN – Islamic Value 2 of 17

      Comments Off on AL-AMIN – Islamic Value 2 of 17

Zoom show on Sunday, Aug 01, 2021, 2:00-3:00 PM EST

Register in advance for this meeting, after registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Here is the link
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsde6tqDgtGtGQ4UCmZ-a8m85VdaXz4hgs

It is a series of 17 Islamic values presented by Dr. Safi Kaskas and Dr. Mike Ghouse

Did you know the very first Sunnah established by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was about model Citizenship known as Al-Amin? What does it mean to follow the foundational Sunnah for American Muslims? How does it apply to American Muslims?

The essence of Islam is the first one of the 17 series of universal values. The list of 17 values and speaker bios at https://worldmuslimcongress.org/islamic-values-by-kaskas-ghouse/

Contact: SpeakerMikeGhouse@gmail.com

Islamic Values by Dr. Kaskas and Ghouse – 1 of 18 Values Eid al Adha

      Comments Off on Islamic Values by Dr. Kaskas and Ghouse – 1 of 18 Values Eid al Adha

How the 17 Islamic values contribute to the well-being of humanity?

First of all, please click the red word SUBSCRIBE- thank you.
YouTube link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9GLpcVBRY4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9GLpcVBRY4
Islamic Values by Dr. Kaskas and Ghouse – 1 of 18 Values Eid al Adha

Every Sunday on Zoom from 2-3 PM EST commencing from July 18 through Nov 7, 2021

Every question you may have about Islam, Muslims and the Quran, you may find an answer them, we will present it to the best of our knowledge.

The schedule for the 18 classes is listed below following the note and profiles of the speakers. For the list if the values please go to – https://worldmuslimcongress.org/islamic-values-by-kaskas-ghouse/ and to learn about the speakers, please go to https://worldmuslimcongress.org/islamic-values-speaker-profiles/

Today, we will talk about what can you sacrifice, hear out a few different point of views.

Sunday, Jul 18, 2021, 2-3 PM EST
Topic: Eid Al Adha – what should you sacrifice
Another point of view – https://www.huffpost.com/entry/eid-aladha-what-should-yo_b_4099426

After all, God has created everything in harmony and balance, and we are asked to observe the limits as it affects us all (55:5-11) and it is our duty as the viceregent (Manager of surroundings) to restore harmony whenever it goes off. That is all God wants us to do. I am writing an article on a new phrase Islah-al Alam, that is restoring harmony to the world, that includes human interactions as well as the environment.

Next week

Sunday, Jul 25, 2021, 2-3 PM EST
Topic: Essence of Islam
Ref –

Sunday, Jul 25, 2021, 2-3 PM EST
Topic: Essence of Islam
Ref – https://worldmuslimcongress.org/the-essence-of-islam/

Mike Ghouse

Native Americans and Islam in America by Dr. Samira Benturki Saidi

      Comments Off on Native Americans and Islam in America by Dr. Samira Benturki Saidi

Sunday, Jul 25, 2021, 2-3 PM EST

First of all, please click the red word SUBSCRIBE- thank you.
YouTube link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQcs7F1XdG0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQcs7F1XdG0

You will be surprised to know that Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) name was inscribed on rock in Nevada and California in the 7th century, yes, 7th century BC. The Arab and African admirals, sailors, explorers, before and after the advent of Islam possessed a superior knowledge in the maritime field. Thus, centuries before Christopher Columbus, they scoured the seas and oceans and populated the American continent, where some Native American tribes practiced the Muslim religion, before 1492.

Dr. Saidi specializes in the field of research on maritime exchanges between ancient peoples and in particular Arab-Muslim and Black African navigators and explorers. There is a whole lot more on the video.

Speaker Profile and Brief information about the program at – https://worldmuslimcongress.org/the-essence-of-islam/

Dr Mike Ghouse

Dilip Kumar on India’s Pluralistic Ethos

      Comments Off on Dilip Kumar on India’s Pluralistic Ethos

What a joy it is to hear from Dilip Saheb about the pluralistic ethos of our great nation

I jumped at it for I have written, something similar a few years ago on the left panel of my blog http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/

Together as Indians, we are Hindus, Dalits, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Atheists, Nastiks, Buddhists, Bahá’ís, Tribals, Jews, Bo’s, Qandharis, Bakarwals, inclusive of every group of Indians. Anyone who breathes the air of the land, drinks the water, eats the food, and or chooses to be an Indian, has Indian blood running in him or her. We are all Indians and are all created equal, no one is more privileged than the other.

We should not allow any evil force to pit one Indian against the other. Each one of us should make an effort to tell them to work for an India, where Indians together can create an exemplary India. We should ask them to join us and build a cohesive India where authentic sab ke Saath, sab ka vikaas ho. Sab ka Samman ho, aur sab ko nyay mile.

Mike Ghouse

Dilip Kumar : The human aspects of the legend

      Comments Off on Dilip Kumar : The human aspects of the legend

Although it is not written by me, my story is mentioned in it – Mike Ghouse

By Syed Zubair Ahmad

Courtesy- muslimmirror.com/ , Article Link : https://bit.ly/3yOXhOU

Dilip Kumar’s cinematic image earned for him all superlatives but his off-screen activities were also not less than a hero, lending his stardom image to social causes unmatched to any Bollywood actors to date. The thespian, who died at the age of 98 in Mumbai, was the first to ‘introduce the meaning of stardom’ into Bollywood but cared little for the image –  that he taught how to carry on –  when it came to stand up for a cause. Nevertheless, people close to him admired the ‘living legend’ for his off-screen activities too. Indeed, a sensitive man: benevolent to the needy, forthright to the arrogant – a rare trait found in Bollywood celebrities.

Much has been written and said about Dilip Kumar, born as Yusuf Khan, but his dedication for social and educational empowerment of the community and the country were not adequately told. The thespian dedicated  substantial time of his late working life to social causes, remained ever ready to extend all kinds of support.

The degree of humility the star maintained was unmatched; unexpected of his hosts. He wouldn’t like extravaganza, like other celebrities. “In a five-minute meeting if you convince him he will attend any function intended for social causes…Of course, free of cost,” said Faisal Farooqui.

Farooqui is the spokesperson of Dilip Kumar from last  21 years  and a family friend for 40 years.

He accompanied Yusuf Khan when he was performing Hajj in 2013.Hewould never let his hosts feel low by any means. “He would dress up stately, attend functions with all enthusiasm and gusto as if his invitee is not less than the President of India,” recalled Farooqui. Unlike today’s film stars, he never charged a single penny form any organization or individual, neither did he accept any gift as he considered it ‘a bribe’. He only cherished the foods, added Farooqui.

Yusuf Khan was more concerned about marginalized and discriminated people. He joined the All India Muslim OBC Organization (AIMOBCO) in 1990 and associated with its organizational activities on almost daily basis. He participated in more than a hundred public meetings all over India. Finally on December 7, 1994, the Maharashtra government issued an order to include socially and educationally backward Muslims in the state list of OBCs.

In 1987, when he was invited to attend a fundraising function by  two Jalgaon-based NGOs, he agreed with the condition that the organizers should raise at least an odd Rs 13 lakh from that function. This was to motivate them. He didn’t stop here, he used to take updates from the organizers about the function and advised them to organize ‘Dinner with Dilip Kumar’ a fundraising dinner. It is said on January 4, he reached the venue at noon while the function was supposed to be held at night. Throughout the function, he remained indeed a warm host. He didn’t sit like a celebrity, rather he welcomed all guests, talked and laughed with them and visited all the tables with a smiling face.

In 1988, he received a letter from Peshawar noting that the city, “had been without a blood bank for years. Fatimid Foundation, a social service body, had come forward to set up a blood donation centre.” The actor traveled to Peshawar to inaugurate the blood bank.

Following the 1992-93 Mumbai riots he worked tirelessly for the victims and tried his best to bridge the gap between two communities. It said that Yusuf Khan’s home became “command centre” for relief work.

Mike Ghouse, the Indian-American activist, mentioned his interaction with the legendary actor when he attended a function organized by AFMI (American Federation of Muslims from India) in the US. “I was privileged to accompany him in Dallas and have a few stories to share. He came along with the ex Prime Minister VP Singh and other dignitaries to address the conference by AFMI. When we walked into their hotel room in Richardson Texas on Campbell Road, Saira Bano seemingly didn’t like the room – she started checking the pillows and didn’t like it. The room was not the presidential suite either. She turned to me and said that she did not want to stay in this room. I panicked and frantically started calling my colleagues and the chief organizer. But Khan Saab patted my shoulders and asked, ‘Mike Saab, who’s the beneficiary of the conference?’ I replied that the poor and disadvantaged students in India. At this, he turned to Saira and said, ‘Let’s stay here, the savings from staying here are benefiting the poor children in our country.” Saira threw her hands and said OK.

There is a lesson in it for today’s celebrities and community representatives.

Dilip Kumar, the greatest Bollywood Actor

      Comments Off on Dilip Kumar, the greatest Bollywood Actor

Dilip Kumar is a legend in the Indian film industry, known as the first Method actor and is frequently compared to Marlon Brando, another Method actor. He was also called Tragedy King and an actor who perfect comedy acting in the film, Ram aur Shyam.

Dilip Kumar Special

A Conversation about Dilip Kumar. Yes, if you like to share a few anecdotes, please do, it’s a Shradhanjali /Khiraj-e-Aqheedat. Dilip Kumar film songs will sung by our friends;Vidya Sagar, Rizwan Shaikh, Sunder Naidu, Neela Naidu, Himanshu Chaudhary, Rama Sharma and friends.

Saturday Night, July 10, 2021, 8-9:30 PM EST
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqc-ysqT0tG9QcyEjUfrbKS9CULBSIyoDS After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Being the first super star in the post-Independent India, he set the standards for acting, that every new actor learns in acting schools. Dilip’s acting is considered perfect, and it became the standard in acting.

He was my favorite actor, loved by over a billion people across the globe. Here, I will focus on his humanitarian side.

I was privileged to accompany him in Dallas and have a few stories to share.

He came along with the Prime Minister of India VP Singh and other dignitaries to address the conference by AFMI, I.e., American Federation of Muslims from India.

I was given the responsibility to manage visitors with him.

Two of his many interaction are memorable. One was with Raju Sharma, a student in acting, and the other was with Saira Banu when they checked into the hotel.

Raju came, touched Dilip’s feet, an Indian tradition to show respect, and sat on the floor. Raju mentioned that he was learning acting, at that moment, Dilip stood up and asked Raju to sit next to him and said, now we’re equals. We were all taken back with that gesture of humility. I’ll have a video clip from Kundan Sharma, father of Raju, whom I consider my elder brother.

Taj Muhammad and I had great conversations with Dilip and Saira driving them from the airport. One piece of the conversation was their visit to bangalore, and witnessing milk dripping out of the statue of Ganesha, an icon of God in the Hindu tradition who removes obstacles for the devotee and it was a big story at that time. Both, Dilip and Saira were amazed with it. I’ll have to write the full story from my notes.

When we walked into their Hotel room in Richardson Texas on Campbell road, Saira surprised me – she started checking the pillows and didn’t like it, and the room was not the presidential suite either, which they should been placed. She turned to me and said, she did not want to stay in this room and find another one. I panicked and frantically started calling Akram Syed, my friend and the chief organizer.

Dilip patted on my shoulders to talk with him. He said, “Mike Saab, who’s the beneficiary of the conference?” I said, the poor and disadvantaged students in India. He turned to Saira and said, let’s stay here, the savings from staying here are benefitting the poor children in our country. Saira, threw her hands and said ok. They stayed there.

What a great gesture! what an expression of humility he displayed. Most other actors far less popular than him would have insisted a presidential suite. I couldn’t thank the couple enough.

Please share your comments, I will select some and include them in my tribute to Dilip Kumar, I am planning to write.

Mike Ghouse

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/06/world/asia/dilip-kumar-dead.html
……
https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/the-one-and-only-dilip-kumar-the-actor-who-shaped-world-biggest-film-industry-7392998/
……
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/dilip-kumar-one-of-indias-finest-actors-dies-at-98-after-long-illness-2480910
…..

Harry and Megan Wedding Ceremony

      Comments Off on Harry and Megan Wedding Ceremony
Harry and Megan Wedding Ceremony

As a wedding officiant, I cherish this, and it is very similar to my proceedings, prepared with input from the couples. Each wedding is different, as I have officiated Christian-Hindu, Muslim-Jewish, Christian-Jewish, Muslim-Muslim. I am a licensed wedding officiant in all the 50 states of the United States.

Mike Ghouse, Interfaith Marriage Officiant
www.InterfaithMarriages.org
email: Mike@InterfaithMarriages.org

Here is the full ceremony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxVXerqLKw4

A CLIP FROM THE FILM BROKEN ARROW (1950)

      Comments Off on A CLIP FROM THE FILM BROKEN ARROW (1950)
Interfaith Marriage in the film Broken Arrow | Center For Pluralism

It is the story of the difficulties of integrating a white man with the Apache, as he sees the otherness of the other. Indeed, it is the struggle of all immigrants in every nation.

The peace treaties test the parties’ commitment. If it is not there, one lousy guy can mess it up, and the other can retaliate, and Sunghursh (a good Hindi word for conflict) will flare up and continues. A sincere commitment to peace brings durable peace. Of course, the United States has breached many treaties made with Native Americans. You can hear it from my friend, Peggy Larney, a native American Chief, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMXsTo4VYh8.

Here is an interfaith marriage clip between an Apache and a White man. It is another blurred romantic version of a Hindu wedding. Most traditional cultures have commonalities. The film is about a lone ranger frontier man (James Stewart) railing his life to forge peace between Arizona settlers and Cochise’s (Jeff Chandler) Apache Nation- Debra Paget is the heroine.

If you see the film, and both the parties contained such flare-ups. I wish Israel and Gaza can sincerely commit to peace and let there be freedom for the Palestinians. Displaying power is not the way to go. It does not bring peace for either one: the one who threatens and is threatened lives in eternal apprehensions.

PS: It was the language of the time – I will see this movie again; there is so much to learn, not sure if the producers intended the lessons.

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker, author, pluralist, and interfaith wedding officiant. He offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day to the media and policymakers. Full bio at www.TheGhouseDiary.com

Dr. Adil Khan, a motivational Story of success.

      Comments Off on Dr. Adil Khan, a motivational Story of success.

Adil Khan is one of my closest friends. He was a Millionaire once, lost it all due to the stock market and other events, struggled quite hard for several years, and nothing worked for him. Then he chose to pull himself up by his bootstraps, went against all odds, and earned his Ph.D. on 6/29/21 on his 60th birthday. Congratulations, Adil, for your commitment; you are an exemplary role model. 

Some of his friends walked away from him as if he did not exist. However, I believed in Adil, he did not give up. He is my friend for the last 37 years. 

Adil surprised me with the quote from Steve Jobs on his profile, “Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” And this from Jobs, “I made a promise to myself: I said, ‘I’m not going to let this money ruin my life.” So, Jobs chose to pursue work throughout his career that ignited his passion instead of chasing paychecks. Indeed, these are the quotes that motivated me to come to Washington DC to establish the Center for Pluralism. 

That is Adil, a genuine man who cares for others and not the money. He wrote on his site, “I am doing my best to plant the seed of education for the unprivileged. It will grow into a big tree, maybe not in my lifetime.” That is him, and that is me. 

It reminds me of the wisdom from Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh), who explained what a good deed was. Let me paraphrase it, “When you plant a sapling, and when it grows to be a tree and provides shade or fruit, you don’t know if you are the beneficiary, but you do it for others, as others have done for us before.” 

He did not have much money at one time but went and bought medicine for his friend. When he sees a good deal, he knows which one of his friends needs it; he calls them, sends the coupon or the link. He is such a caring guy.

Goethe said the best on commitment. “Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.” And this is what drove Adil and me to achieve success in the pursuit of our happiness, “Until one is committed, there is hesitancy… All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.… Whatever you can do or dream that you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

Yes, Adil is a motivational story, and he has a gold mine of educational tools that he is ready to mine. A philanthropist who does not care for the return on money but wants to change the world can do that with Adil. I wish I could join him, but I am passionately committed to opening people’s hearts and minds towards each other through the Center for Pluralism. 

I asked, Adil, what was the motivation or inspiration for such a drastic change in life? Adil said that his life turned upside down when he lost his beloved daughter Zahra Khan in a short battle with cancer. His heart; his motivation, his mentor; his best friend was gone. While in high school, she made a foundation in her name, “ZKAAP Foundation – Zahra Khan Adopt a Patient Foundation.” She used to adopt cancer patients and be with them, encourage them, motivate them, and be there as their family, but who knew that she would become one of them one day. After her parting from this world, my wife and I continued her legacy. We rejuvenated our daughter’s foundation and are now doing the same tasks she used to do. We adopt terminally sick patients and their families and help them in whatever needs they have, financial, medical, moral, and everything else.

Besides the ZKAAP Foundation, Zahra used to tutor school children. Out of her legacy, he took that venture to educate the third world’s disadvantaged and needy students. In addition, he created a sister organization named Afro-American Services under Zahra Khan Foundation and is presently helping students from Africa and other parts of the world come to the United States for higher education.

Unfortunately, very few of the poor students could take advantage of his services due to higher education costs in the USA. So, when he realized that if they could not afford to come to the U.S., he decided to go to them. This enormous task could only be achieved by offering education online with the assimilation of Artificial Intelligence. Therefore, he is in the process of creating an accredited global online institution. This grand endeavor required training in the field of learning technology. He didn’t have that expertise and asked many scholars to help, but no one did. So he decided that he will get his Ph.D. himself.

Adil, added, “This Doctoral program at the University of North Texas, one of the top ten in the nation, encouraged me to pursue my daughter’s legacy and get trained in the area to help educate the underprivileged.”

He continues, “I have always believed that my commitment to serve humankind will take me there to improve people’s lives. Because of all the difficulties I have encountered and the opportunities I have been given, educating the deprived became my obvious choice.”

His words follow

The traumatizing, life-changing incidents that I have come across have led me to follow my goal no matter what stage of life. I want to be a guide to prevent things that I went through from happening to others; I should be a compassionate person to be involved in changing the lives of people in need; I must become a world-class educator because I care, and I will be the beacon of light in the darkness of illiteracy.

My efforts are changing the lives of people. A state-of-the-art, high-quality United States K-12 school starts in rural Punjab, Pakistan; an online K-12 school is developing. Many underprivileged but deserving students from Africa are already getting higher education in U.S. colleges with my help. I am developing an AI-based Digital Tutor to reach the students in remote areas of the world, where schools are scarce, but there is a yearning for education.

I am fueled by my desire to take hold of this great opportunity. Goethe inspires me, and his words are always echoing me: “Whatever you can do or dream that you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” My journey has just began

I am planting the seed of literacy now that would grow into a tree. Maybe not in my lifetime, and when I would be standing in front of Allah SWT on the day of judgment, I will ask Him, I did all this for your sake, to help your creations. As a reward, please let me join my daughter in Jannah.

Adil A. Khan

  • Ph.D. Learning Technology 2021
  • College of Information
  • University of North Texas
  • Ph.D. Research Concentration:
  • Artificial Intelligence in Education, Virtual and Augmented Reality, Gamification, Teaching with Hologram, Smart Classroom
  • Purpose of Doctorate: Educating the underprivileged with the same quality of education that only the rich can afford. Educating the masses using AI
  • Dissertation Title: The Digital Tutor – An Educational Technology Marvel: A Futuristic Analysis of a Modern Intelligent Tutoring System using Soft System Methodology

Adil, Congratulations!

Mike Ghouse