After Election, how do we become one?

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The most beautiful thing that will happen tonight is an expression of our civility, which is the highlight of our democracy, a lesson other nations are looking to emulate. 

In this election as in every previous presidential election, we saw the candidates going after each other, proving to us, that he or she is a better candidate than the other, we take sides and we also get upset and do everything to convince the undecided, it all comes to an abrupt end tonight when the decision is made. It is almost like going to take a major exam, the last day is tense for some and for some, its blank and for some, it is exciting, it was tense for me.

Mitt Romney, the candidate will congratulate the winner Barack Obama, and Obama will gracefully display his humility with an acceptance speech and acknowledging the good journey the candidates have taken. Thanks for your patience; it would happen exactly the other way if Mitt Romney wins.

We need to do the same, and I will go a step further, I will hug my friends who voted for Romney, as I have voted for Obama. Both of us sincerely believed that our candidate was the right one and we need to respect that. We have to get behind the new president and build the America we wish to see.

URL _ http://nabsites.net/demo/after-election-how-do-we-become-one_6/

TEXAS FAITH: After the election, how do we become one?

Bill McKenzie, Dallas Morning News.

So, barring another Florida, America will wake up Wednesday with one side joyously happy and another bitterly disappointed. Or, that’s how core supporters of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney will feel. The losing side will be tempted to demonize those who voted for the winner. And the winner’s
supporters will be tempted to gloat about the victory.

Neither response will help the country move forward as one. Neither response will help us move beyond the politics of division. And neither will help us realize that we really function best as a country when we balance individuality with community.

With that in mind, here’s the question for this week: “What is the message that different faith traditions can send about the importance of being one?”

Published in Dallas Morning News in the Texas Faith column, about ten panelists share their thoughts at: http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2012/11/texas-faith-after-the-election-how-do-we-become-one.html/here is mine.

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

Election results tonight may severely impact on relationships between individuals and communities. As a pluralist my concern of the day is to offer pluralistic solutions and contribute towards preserving the cohesiveness of our society.

To that end, here is my faith based message:

We see God as one, none and many; male, female and genderless; being and a non-being, nameless and with innumerable names. We are represented by every race, ethnicity, language, culture and religion. Indeed, we are one nation and have to remain indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

The essence of my faith (Islam) or your faith is about restoring balance and peace within, and with what surrounds us; life and matter.

Here are a few steps to save the anxiety and remain one by acknowledging that others have the same rights as we do, and that each one of us is motivated by goodness, selfishness, phobias or fears one time or the other.

No matter what, the built-in safeguards in our Constitution have given us stability for 236 years, and the power to set the course that we have exercised today.

We have to accept the otherness of others, and respect the God given uniqueness of thumb print, eye print, DNA, taste bud, religion bud, and now the political bud.

Let’s pray that God enlarges our hearts to congratulate those who have voted for Obama, Romney, Johnson, Stein, Goode or Anderson.

The most beautiful thing to unravel tonight is our civility. The losing candidate will congratulate the winner, and the winner will gracefully display his humility. We need to do the same, and I will go a step further. I will hug my friend who voted for Romney, as I have voted for Obama. Both of us sincerely believed that our candidate was the right one.

We now have a greater duty to give value to our belief in forgiveness, and come together in building a cohesive America, where no one has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other. God bless America, may God guides to do the right thing. Amen!

. . . . . .

The Texas Faith blog is a discussion among formal and informal religious leaders whose faith traditions express a belief in a transcendent power – or the possibility of one. While all readers are invited to participate in this blog, by responding in the comments section, discussion leaders are those whose religion involves belief in a divine higher power or those who may not believe in a transcendent power but leave room for the possibility of one. Within this framework, moderators William McKenzie and Wayne Slater seek to bring a diversity of thinkers onto the Texas Faith panels.



MikeGhouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace making, foreign policy, Islam, interfaith, and cohesion at work place or 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 local TV, Radio and Print Media, and 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.

Last minutes notes for Muslims about Elections

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The abstracts of a few items for your perusal and reflections.

THE FIRST SUNNAH

As Muslims we need to participate and contribute to the well being of our nation, we will earn back our respect by simply serving the nation. What was the first Sunnah of the Prophet? It was to be the Amin, truthful, trustworthy and just, someone around whom people felt safe, secure and at peace. If we follow the first Sunnah, and become Amins to the Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and others like the Prophet did, then we have become a part of the society in building a nation that is good for every American including the ones who may not like us – that was the third Sunnah of the prophet.

ARE MUSLIM A PART OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY?

Indeed, we are not connected enough with the mainstream society for a vast majority of Americans to stand up for us, empathize with us, or even understand the truth about us that we are no different than them in our endeavors and aspirations of life. We need to take the initiatives. Full piece at:http://nabsites.net/demo/are-muslims-part-of-american-story/

IS IT HARAM TO PARTICIPATE IN ELECTIONS?

Nonsense is the right sentiment, but uttering the word will not change the mindset of a few on the edge. A few (just a few) Muslims are programmed with Haram and Halal mind-set, selectively that is all they see in life. Iqra; to read, to think and to understand is not part of their system. What do we need to do? Call them Ignorant? So they can call us names? No, that will not cut it, instead, we need to sit together where each member is given full value for his or her opinion for a genuine dialogue to take place. I have experimented with the right wing Republicans with more success than failures, and a Yemeni Muslim Judge has proved that it works.  Muhammad Yunus and I have delved it from a social and Quranic point of view for you consideration at:http://nabsites.net/demo/are-muslims-duty-bound-to-participate/

MY FELLOW MUSLIMS FROM RAFIQ LODHIA
“My Fellow Muslims” a general awakening with a “SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY” is the need of the day. We the American Muslims have neglected “Facts” and have run away from assuming the responsibilities to help better the Islamic societies utilizing our position to seek access to the U.S. Mainstream Media. Fareed Zakaria, Dr. Zuhdi Jasser and Mike Ghouse are three American Muslims who can make a convincing case to whoever gets elected on the Election Day. This is no time for a “Blame Game.” November 6th is a defining moment for the future of America and also for the future of the Middle East. Full article at:http://myfellowmuslims.org/?p=1958
MESSAGE FROM MUHAMMAD YUNUS 

The message is very simple: a choice between a medieval form of Islam in which case the Muslims are the ‘others’ of the society – civilization inferiors, outcasts and misfits – who walk with their heads bowed down and suffering a complex of being tracked and talked about by neighbors – a problem even highly educated Muslims living in predominantly white areas face. OR denounce openly the medieval form of Islam that is reduced to the pillars of faith, and stripped of its universal, pluralistic, humanistic and altruistic paradigms. If they chose the second option they can feel proud as American citizens, walk with their heads high and caste aside the veil of suspicion they unwittingly wear by their isolationist attitude.
PLEASE VOTE 

Regardless of whom you vote, you must be congratulated for exercising your right. Let’s respect our decisions motivated by our beliefs. On my Part, I have voted for Obama and some of my friends have voted for Romney. Please protect yourselves from letting the politics make it difficult between you and your friends.

If you are still undecided, please take a look at a few pieces in support of Obama, I have written 60 pieces about him, and 40 about Romney. You know Romney was my choice, until he started flip flopping and I lost him. Not sure what he stands for.

Huffington post; Choice between Chaotic Romney and Stable Obama
Dallas Morning News: Do we thirst for political leaders
http://nabsites.net/demo/texas-faith-do-we-thirst-too-much-for/
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peacemaking, foreign policy, Islam, interfaith, and cohesion at work place or 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 local TV, Radio and Print Media, and 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.

Are Muslims duty bound to participate in elections?

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Are Muslims duty bound to participate in elections?by Muhammad Yunus and Mike Ghouse

Bad things happen because good people do nothing about it. Indeed, this old
adage makes more sense today than ever before.

Today, our nation is facing a
tough choice in the presidential elections. Neither the incumbent President,
nor the challenger is a perfect fit for the needs of the nation at this
juncture of high unemployment, and hopelessness that has gripped America.
Our criterion for electing our
president should have been “who can move the country forward”, rather than
redacted choice of finding who can do the least damage.
Romney has made blatant switches in his positions, and left us wondering who he would
be, if he were to be elected. Will his base continue to support him even though
they feel betrayed, is he for stricter regulations of the banking industry, or is
he a quarter guy who will sacrifice long term gains for this quarter? What
about women’s right to choose in case of abortion? Is Obama’s debate
performance an indication of what is yet to come?
In a conference
call recently with Christian conservatives, Gov. Rick Perry dismissed the
separation of church and state as an idea advanced to drive “people of faith
from the public arena.” The governor went on to say Satan is using it to keep
Christians from actively engaging in public policy.
In my weekly take at Dallas
Morning News
, I wrote, “The separation of church and state has been a catalyst in guaranteeing
freedom to every religious group. Indeed, it is an incentive to participate in
the political process to ensure that one’s rights are protected, and prevent
domination by any group from dictating its terms to others.”
Muslims have their share of ultra conservatives who think like Governor Perry, and it
keeps them from engaging in the electoral process which is catered
around the American constitution that does not expressly acknowledge the
sovereignty of God, and is a product of man’s intellectual enterprise. But this
disregards the following key aspects of the Qur’anic message. 
The role of
the Muslims as witnesses to all humanity, the way, Muhammad, their Prophet was
a witness to his audience (2:143); and 2, the Qur’anic exhortation to the
diverse faith communities, including the Muslims, to get to know each other and
vie with each other in good deeds and lawful pursuits (49:13).
Here are some
rare but preposterous statements one hears now and then.
“Muslims should not participate
in elections; it is Haraam (unlawful).”

“If the president you elected goes to war and kills Muslims, what will you tell
Allah?”
“ We cannot put an infidel in governance”

Nonsense is the right sentiment,
but uttering the word will not change the mind set of a few on the edge.
What does God want? He is the
creator and simply wants his creation to live in harmony with themselves and
with what surrounds them; people and the environment. He has not deprived his
love to his “banday” (created) and has sent guidance to every tribe, every
community and every nation, and declares the best one among you are the ones
who make an effort to know each other to mitigate conflicts and nurture
goodwill.
Prophet Muhammad initiated and
signed a treaty of peace and joint defence with the major tribes and families
of Medina,
including Muslims,
Jews, Christians and pagans
[2]. This Prophetic example gives American Muslims a religious basis for
participating in a secular democratic process. Besides, active involvement with
electoral process gives them an excellent opportunity of getting to know, and
competing with each other in a lawful arena of immense significance.
Furthermore, the Qur’an admits of mutual consultation on community matters
without having to endorse what is fundamentally wrong (42:37/38) and asks the
believers to collaborate even with erstwhile enemies in “good things (birre)
and in establishing what is morally upright (taqwa)” (5:2). On the strength of
these clear Qur’anic enunciations and principles, the American Muslims must
participate in the forthcoming Presidential election as part of their religious
obligation.
The Arabic Qur’an in its
immensely rich and intertwined vocabulary encapsulates a set of universal
juristic notions, notably, logical analysis (fiqha) by engaging reason (aql),
cogitation and reflection (fikr); independent intellectual inquiry (ijtihad),
analogical deduction (qiyas) consensus of the scholar/ community (jama‘ah), custom and practice of the
community (‘urf ), community good (islah), the jurists’ best judgment (istihsan).

Practically all these notions are
consistent with and even identical to those employed by the American jurists
and doctors of law in jurisprudence and constitutional process, except for
terminological differences. Hence, regardless of whether the American doctors
of law believe in the Qur’an or not, the laws they developed are rooted in the
Qur’anic universal notions as has veritably been the case with the classical
Sharia law of Islam. Besides, the American Constitution with its supreme
emphasis on equity, justice, liberty, empowerment of women and a host of social
and egalitarian provisions is far more compatible with the Qur’anic paradigms
than the Classical Sharia law of Islam.
Thus the
American Muslims should actively and religiously participate in their national
electoral process as a mandatory religious obligation, to enjoin what is good
and forbid evil. Elections are not about winning or losing, it is about
supporting the most right choice or the least worst choice. Lack of
participation could amount at encouraging that which is evil.
It is our duty to continuously
share the knowledge of Quraan and wisdom of the Prophet with the Muslim
Neocons, hoping they would replace the myths with the values of the religion
they claim to follow.
When the first four rightly
guided Caliphs (heads of state) were chosen (accepted) by the people to run
their civic affairs (governance), they represented every one regardless of
receiving support from their constituents or not. The choices were not good or
bad, but who can lead the community in the best possible manner given the death
of the Prophet and each subsequent Caliph. The American Muslims must apply the
same principle and chose a candidate they think is most suited to the social
and economic issues facing the nation.
Additional Note by Mike Ghouse:
Please vote, regardless of whom you vote, you must be congratulated for exercising your right. Let’s respect our decisions motivated by our beliefs. On my Part, I Mike Ghouse have voted for Obama and some of my friends have voted for Romney. 
If you are still undecided, please take a look at a few pieces in support of Obama, I have written 60 pieces about him, and 40 about Romney. You know Romney was my choice, until he started flip flopping and I lost him. Not sure what he stands for.
Huffington post; Choice between Chaotic Romney and Stable Obama
Dallas Morning News: Do we thirst for political leaders
http://nabsites.net/demo/texas-faith-do-we-thirst-too-much-for/

40 Pieces on Mitt Romney
http://nabsites.net/demo/mitt-romney-by-mike-ghouse/

This article is co-authored by Mike Ghouse, a speaker thinker and
a writer committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic
solutions on the issues of the day, and Muhammad Yunus whose exegetical work on
Quran has been endorsed by Al-Azhar
University. He writes on the universal values enshrined in Quran.

ROMNEY OBAMA SONG

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Although my enthusiasm for the election has
remained high, I am also tense, frightened at times about the prospects of
getting the worse or worst guy elected as President. This is the first time I
am deeply concerned and apprehensive about our nation’s next four years.

What I did not do; 4 TV spots and a Romney Obama Song
URL: http://nabsites.net/demo/romney-obama-song/

Being a pluralist, I have come to value every individual, faith, race,
ethnicity and culture. My friends include Atheists to Zoroastrians and every
one in between on the faith side, and on the political spectrum I have Republicans,
Democrats and Libertarians. I am a Republican, a moderate one like Schwarzenegger,
Collin Powel, John Huntsman and a host of other Republicans who put America
first. I voted the Democrat Obama for President, Republican Cruz for Senate, Republican
Marchant for Congress, and a host of Republican and Democrat Judges and
commissioners, but mainly Republican. Here is the list of whom I voted – http://nabsites.net/demo/today-i-voted-for-barack-obama/


Obama has made a few mistakes, one of them is putting health reform bill ahead
of job creation, otherwise, he has done most of the things right. Romney was my
first choice, but I lost him when he conveniently switched from a moderate
Republican to the right wing position and then again a liberal pandering simply
to get elected. I am not sure what we will get from him. I have opted for the
stabilizing Obama, against the chaotic repeal marathon on day one if Romney gets
elected.

Deep down, I seriously doubt if the conservative
Republicans trust him, but their desperation to have a Republican is making
them make serious compromises they will come to regret. Romney has betrayed the
moderates; conservatives and even liberals, and we can expect him to do the
same to the American Public if he were elected. I promise you this; I will
aggressively seek to reshape my GOP, I am sick of the extremist takeover of the
party, just as I was sick of extremist takeover of Islam, a few years ago.  However, I will do my share of the work after November 7th and seek support from the fellow Republicans.

I had plans to make the following commercial spots, but
did not make it:

1.    A
group of corporate leaders are in a huddle talking about the 47% and laughing
about the moochers…then a veteran, an unemployed, a pregnant woman and a senior
walk in – they stopped laughing, one of the actors playing Romney looks at them
and starts defending.. no no , we were not talking about you… then the moochers
(per Romney) walk out… Romney tells one of his employees to go shut the damned
door… after locking the door they start laughing again on fellow Americans
misfortune.

2.    A huge
storm passes, the dust settles and calmness prevails… Obama sprints through it;
Americans sigh deeply for the stability…and thank him. As Obama exits the field
Romney walks in, kicking (repealing) the dirt, the dust is all over again, and
no one could see a thing with clarity.

3.    Romney
is president, a gigantic Tsunami hits the eastern sea board…. destroying
everything east of Mississippi… Romney contracts out to private companies (no
bids, as advised by the Bush advisors in his admin) like Halliburton… to do the
clean up. They start the work, but deem unprofitable to go get the children,
women and seniors trapped under buildings. The public complains and Romney
slams – its tax payer’s money and I cannot blow it on you guys, I don’t like
dependents, go figure out yourselves and save yourselves…if you are not fit to
live, then don’t.

4.    Netanyahu
calls President Romney – look, I need you to pull the naval resources in the gulf
of Oman, and we will use your ships as base to bomb Iran… Romney, says, I
need you to use a specific product, I am invested in it… go get them tiger.
American economy collapses, people lose jobs, and deficit hits ceilings…
Romney justifies, we have to take care of our Allies… while the Jewish
Americans and Israelis Citizens appear on the horizon and say this in chorus, “President
Romney, did you ask us what we wanted?”
Then this song to be fine tuned, it is a
draft.
HE MEANS WHAT HE SAYS

Convention videos for audience
Chorus- different groups -Christie first,

OBAMA – I am going get Bin Laden without collateral damage or loss of American
lives and decimate Al-Qaeda terrorists.

CHORUS – he means what he says

ROMNEY – it’s not worth hunting down one individual and should not do it without
seeking permission from government of Pakistan.

CHORUS – he means what he says

OBAMA – we have to take care of FEMA
CHORUS – he means what he says

ROMNEY- will cut off FEMA
CHORUS – he means what he says
BACKGROUND – Romney laughing, government is not in the business of taking care
of the dependents and moochers, they need to take care of themselves

OBAMA- health care for every one
CHORUS – he means what he says

Romney – I will repeal health care
CHORUS – he means what he says
BACKGROUND – Romney laughing. Idiots, I just told that to calm my fellow
conservative Republicans, you know we to tell, whatever it takes to get
elected.

Obama – sanctions against Iran, dialogue is better than destruction
CHORUS – he means what he says

Romney- sanctions against Iran
CHORUS – he means what he says
BACKGROUND  – Romney laughing. Idiots I
don’t mean it, I was losing, so I am going to tell what you independents want
to hear, so you can vote for me.

Obama- Every American has his or her right to pursue their happiness including gays
and lesbians with the same sex marriages.
CHORUS – he means what he says

Romney – no
CHORUS – he means what he says,
Romney- I said that in privacy to appease my conservative support, in the
public I will support you guys. My conservative supporters believe in me.

Obama- No one should dictate a woman what she can do in case of life
threatening pregnancy, rape of incest.
CHORUS – he means what he says

Romney – I will turn over roe wade
CHORUS – he means what he says
Romney – laughing, the American public is idiotic, they don’t get that, I told
this to the conservatives to keep their support intact, idiots like the red
meat.

Obama – Gradually, job situations is improving with more people to work on
infrastructure based on proven models during the depression and during Marshall
plan… it will create jobs and boost the economy
CHORUS – he means what he says

Romney -12 million jobs
CHORUS – he means what he says
Romney- laughing -losers, lazy bums, let them go find it on their own,
government is not in the business of hand outs, besides, no idiot from the
media has every questioned me how did I come with 12 million, see how stupid
they are, they believed me.

0bama – dream act
CHORUS – he means what he says

Romney – self deport
CHORUS – he means what he says…

Obama – firm, resolute, stable
Romney – wishy washy, chaotic, unsure

If you
are still undecided, please take a look at a few pieces in support of Obama, I
have written 60 pieces about him, and 40 about Romney. You know Romney was my
choice, until he started flip flopping and I lost him. Not sure what he stands
for.
Huffington post; Choice
between Chaotic Romney and Stable Obama
Dallas Morning News: Do
we thirst for political leaders
http://nabsites.net/demo/texas-faith-do-we-thirst-too-much-for/

40
Pieces on Mitt Romney
http://nabsites.net/demo/mitt-romney-by-mike-ghouse/

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a
writer on pluralism,
politics, peace making, foreign policy, Islam, interfaith, and
cohesion at work place or 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 local TV, Radio and Print Media, and 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. 

Dr. Basheer Ahmed, recognition Mubarak

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Dr. Basheer Ahmed, recognition Mubarak, we salute you for the exemplary work you have done.

I
am pleased to share this exciting information about Muslim Heroes.  
Indeed, we do thirst for leaders who would take the initiatives and become a catalyst in bringing about a positive change for the entire community. It brings a sense of security knowing the work done by these men and women restores pride, fulfillment and a sense of bringing stability to the community and nation, and sail through turbulence with confidence that the good we do will ultimately bring goodness to the entire Umma; the American community at large.

The one thing that is appreciated by every American is service to humanity,
regardless of whom they are, people appreciate the service. The world is a
better place today because we take care of our neighbors, through this; all of
us are ultimately cared for. It is indeed sad, that there still some out there
who need help, and we all need to do the best we can.
Look
at the role of Red Cross during the Sandy havoc, even the president pitched in
to ask people to send in the donations. There are several Muslim organizations that
have taken up the responsibility including Islamic Relief, Aga Khan Foundation
and several others represented by different hues of Islam.
 Indeed, there are great examples of community building
through services such as Catholic Charities, Jewish Hospitals and others, to
serve and as a product receive respect. Muslims are working on it, and have
succeeded in many places; they have embarked on providing health and human
services to the indigents who have no insurance. We have several such
organizations and one among them is Muslim Community Center for Human Services.
Everything
in life starts with a dream, usually by one person, and that dream becomes a
reality by persistent pursuit of serving others. These men and women simply won’t
give up, their commitment to serve is to be lauded.  One such man amidst us is Dr. Basheer Ahmed. Way
back in 1994, I remember Dr. Ahmed’s struggle in establishing this center; we
had appreciated and recognized his efforts at the Thanksgiving Dinner
celebrations and awards night in 1994.
Now
this man, Dr. Ahmed is putting the Muslim services on the National Map. The Muslim
Community for Human services is appreciated and recognized by the Alliance for
Healthcare, as Health Care heroes, the award will be presented to Dr. Basheer
Ahmed in a Dinner in Dallas.
Please visit www.mcc-hs.org/ and donate generously.
Alliance for Healthcare
Excellence 
w w w.
health care –
excellence
.0rg
11 th Annual

Healthcare-Heroes Awards & Dinner
It is our pleasure as the Board of
Directors of the Alliance for Healthcare Excellence to notify you of your
nomination and the winning of a Healthcare Heroes Award for 2012. We will
celebrate you and your Award at the Healthcare Heroes Award Dinner on
November 8, 2012.
The Winner of
the 2012

.Healthcare Affordability Hero of the Year
Award:

Muslim Community Center for Human
Services, presented to
M
Basheer Ahmed .MD
Brookhaven Country Club
3333 Golfing green
Drive
Farmers Branch,
75234

5:30pm

7:00pm
Cash Bar and Hors
d’oeuvres
7:00pm

9:30pm
Dinner and Award Program 

Dr.
Basheer Ahmed, we salute you!
Congratulations!
Mike
Ghouse
America Together Foundation
Foundation for Pluralism
World Muslim Congress

Save the Nation, Vote for Obama 2 of 5

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SAVE THE NATION, VOTE FOR OBAMA: 2-OF-5
http://nabsites.net/demo/save-nation-vote-for-obama-2-of-5/
Click to enlarge

If you are still undecided, please take a look at a few pieces in
support of Obama, I have written 60 pieces about him, and 40 about Romney. You
know Romney was my choice, until he started flip flopping and I lost him. Not
sure what he stands for.

Huffington
post; Choice between Chaotic Romney and Stable Obama – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/chaotic-romney-and-stable-obama_b_1998900.html

Dallas Morning
News: Do we thirst for political leaders – http//theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/10/texas-faith-do-we-thirst-too-much-for.html


60 Pieces on
Barack Obama –  http://nabsites.net/demo/president-obama-articles-since-2008/


40 Pieces on Mitt Romney – http://nabsites.net/demo/mitt-romney-by-mike-ghouse/
MikeGhouse is a speaker, thinker and a
writer on pluralism,
politics, peace making, foreign policy, Islam, interfaith, and
cohesion at work place or 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 local TV, Radio and Print Media, and 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. 

Save the Nation, Vote for Obama 1-of-5

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SAVE THE NATION -VOTE FOR OBAMA -1 OF 5
http://nabsites.net/demo/save-nation-vote-for-obama-1-of-5/

The following will be repeated 5 times, this is 1 of 5

If you are still undecided, please take a look at a few pieces in support of Obama, I have written 60 pieces about him, and 40 about Romney. You know Romney was my choice, until he started flip flopping and I lost him. Not sure what he stands for.

Huffington post; Choice between Chaotic Romney and Stable Obama

Dallas Morning News: Do we thirst for political leadershttp://nabsites.net/demo/texas-faith-do-we-thirst-too-much-for/

60 Pieces on Barack Obama
http://nabsites.net/demo/president-obama-articles-since-2008/

40 Pieces on Mitt Romney
http://nabsites.net/demo/mitt-romney-by-mike-ghouse/ 

MikeGhouse is a speaker, thinker and a
writer on pluralism,
politics, peace making, foreign policy, Islam, interfaith, and
cohesion at work place or 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 local TV, Radio and Print Media, and 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.

Today, I voted for Barack Obama

      Comments Off on Today, I voted for Barack Obama

URL – http://nabsites.net/demo/today-i-voted-for-barack-obama/

Don’t let your civility be ruined by politics. Congratulations if you have
voted for either of candidate, passion is good, hate is not. Even though it is
a private matter, a few of us share whom we voted for and I will share my list.
Hate me or love me, I am an open book. If you can congratulate your friend who
voted the candidate you did not like, then you are a person worth talking to.

Its worth mentioning that my friend Ken Scarborough and I are Republicans on
the opposite ends of the spectrum, we see our differences and let it pass. I
appreciate that. I urge you to read my piece – protect yourselves from politics
at http://nabsites.net/demo/protect-yourselves-from-politics/

My
voting is mostly Republican, a few Democrats, and certainly Barack Obama and
Joe Biden. In the past, I was straight line Republican except the President and
the Governor.
Ted
Cruz is really not a right winger, he is more to the center and rationality
does touch him, meaning he will listen to another point of view and can
intellectually argue with you, unlike Michelle Bachman and a few others, who do
not make any sense even to a high school kid.

Met the Democratic congressional Candidate Tim Rusk, really like him as a
person, but he was not enthused about himself. So I stayed with Kenny Marchant,
even though I have not agreed with Kenny on a few issues. If he gets out of
hand, we can reason with him.

There
were two more candidates in judicial district, I cannot recall their name but I
voted for them. A few places were uncontested by either Republicans or Democrats.
There were several libertarians… and unfortunately, I did not take the time to
learn about them and I am sure they are doing their work.
Here
is my list,
D
Barack Obama Joe Biden
R Ted Cruz
R Kenny Marchant
R Craddick
R Commissioner
R Don Willett
R John Devine
D Michelle Petty
D Keith Hampton
_ Barbara Parker Harvey
_ Elsa Alcla
R Pat Hardy
R John Carona
D Rafael Anchia
R Carolyn Wright
D Dan Wood
R Jim Moseley
R David Lewis
R Molly Francis
R Doug Lang
R Bob Fillmore
D Eric Moye
R John Devine
R Mike Lee
R Tom Nowak
D Lupe Valdez

I
was going to vote on the day itself, but in the last minute, I could not hold
myself, I just had to go and do my duty to my nation.
If
you are still undecided, please take a look at a few pieces in support of
Obama, I have written 60 pieces about him, and 40 about Romney. You know Romney
was my choice, until he started flip flopping and I lost him. Not sure what he
stands for.

Huffington post; Choice between Chaotic Romney and Stable Obama

Dallas Morning News: Do we thirst for political leaders
http://nabsites.net/demo/texas-faith-do-we-thirst-too-much-for/

60
Pieces on Barack Obama
http://nabsites.net/demo/president-obama-articles-since-2008/

40 Pieces on Mitt Romney
http://nabsites.net/demo/mitt-romney-by-mike-ghouse/

MikeGhouse is a speaker, thinker and a
writer on pluralism,
politics, peace making, foreign policy, Islam, interfaith, and
cohesion at work place or 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 local TV, Radio and Print Media, and 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. 

Sikhs Genocides observance in Dallas

      Comments Off on Sikhs Genocides observance in Dallas

Last week, I  posted an upcoming event “Remembrance and Reflection: 1984 Sikh Genocide (posted below)” at Dallas Indians, a 1800 member group in the Dallas area for all Indians. I am glad a few friends called in and sought clarifications. It is always good to inquire and find out before building up emotions against it. The event is on Saturday, November 3rd at Noon.  
Then I read a beautiful personal story by Kirpal Singh from Melbourne, who shared the story of stereotyping Muslims in Nigeria and alluded to bringing a closure to the Sikh Massacre in India.  
The humorous part of the story was, one of the callers was cursing Muslims that they do not understand free speech, and yet, he asked me not post events like this, he believed it was divisive.  Indeed on the surface it does sound like it, but when you read the entire note, you will find otherwise.
You might get away refusing to oblige your spouse or a child’s request… or even compel them to obey you…but it builds resentment if not dealt with squarely, it puts a damper on the enthusiasm of the relationship and no one lives in peace. If there is a murder, child abuse or sexual abuse in the community, we cannot sit quite, we have to find a resolution so the victims can leave in peace, and justice is meted out to the abuser.
Taking the example to India – The Kashmiri Pandits, Dalits, Muslims, Christians and Sikhs have been treated unfairly and unjustly on occasions, especially when it comes to killing a large number of people. The wounds remain unhealed for the communities and every one lives with un-ease, discomfort and apprehension. Silence or Money compensation is not the way to repair the damage, but an acknowledgement is the way to go. An apology will heal the wounds for the entire society. We need to seek Mukti from the gnawing conscience, and no ones Karma will go unbalanced.
When Queen Elizabeth visited India a few years back, she apologized for the Jalianwala Bagh Massacre, that was the right thing to do and we welcomed it. There have been many more good examples of healing like that.
About six years ago a film was made by Memnosyne Foundation, “One source many paths” where I represented the Muslim community and 47 other people represented other faith traditions. Uma Mysoreaker, president of the Hindu Temple in New York represented the Hindu Community. The Hindus and the Native Americans shared their pain about the forced conversions by Muslims and Christians alike, while Muslims also have been a target of prejudice after 9/11. I apologized for the wrong doings done by Muslims kings like Aurangzeb and Ghaznavi and individuals like Bin Laden. 
The healing was done when a Native American offered a Bandana to be received as a closure, a Christian minister gracefully accepted it, .. every one remained silent and absorbed the moments, some of us cried, including me, it was indeed a relief. It is also an acknowledgement that we the people (living now) have nothing to do with what was done, and yet, we owed an apology as the wrong doing was committed in the name of the religion or the land we shared.
The Chapters on Pandits, Dalits, Muslims, Christians and Sikhs can be brought to closure by acknowledgment of the wrong doing, its not going to go away by hiding from it. Humility builds bridges, that is what every religion teaches; to be humble. It is wrong, and dead wrong to believe that we are all against each other, we are not, some of us are, but we need to work cohesively to make India a greater nation by being on a higher moral ground of shedding the arrogance or pretending that, we do not have a problem.
The Sikh Massacre is obviously not brought to the closure,  mass graves have been discovered and the identified remains have been given back to their families, but there are hundreds of kids, women and men missing from that period. An accounting needs to be done to bring a relief to families as to what happened to their loved ones. We are all in this together without blaming the past and to find solutions.
The bad guys are not Muslims, Sikhs, Christians or Hindus, the bad guys are those who went on a rampage and hurt fellow Indians be it in Delhi, Gujarat, Bihar or Orissa. No one should go Scot free,  an apology from them individual wrong doers, forgiveness from the victims or lawful action is in order to restart 
 
STEREO TYPING
This is the most common form of ignorance that surfaces every minute of the day in our lives. Our freedom to think is lost when we stereotype people and fall in the ditch when we justify it. If we want others to treat as fairly, we have to do it too.
If I murder someone, it is my heine that needs to be hauled off to the jail and mete out the deserved punishment under the law and serve justice. Stereo typing in this instance would be to blame my race, parents, siblings, spouse, nationality or religion, it is not wise, is it?? Yet we do it and let others do it without even imploring them to think. What has India or Islam got to do with my criminal act?
Shame on you and I to allow the mind to believe that the murder by a black man allows us to gossip that blacks are criminals, and start justifying some creepy facts to suit our beliefs. Oh well, the educated ones are not… that is even wronger than the first statement…Are all white people ruthless and war mongers? Are Muslims terrorists? Jews will get you one way or the other?
Catch yourselves in your stereotyping, where you make judgments about a people
We reflect on Holocaust and genocides every year, and one of the element is stereotyping. Details about the VII Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides at www.HolocaustandGenocides.com
Kirpal Singh’s story is at url-  http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2012/10/sikhs-genocides-observation-in-dallas.html

Event information from the Sikh Gurdwara is as follows:

Remembrance and Reflection: 1984 Sikh Genocide
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The DFW Sikh American Community extends its invitation to you for our event “Remembrance and Reflection: 1984 Sikh Genocide”. We aspire to share the tragedy which unfolded and provide recognition to an event which has withered away in the annals of history. We seek to provide conversation and engage with our audience to ensure dark moments such as these never occur again and that justice prevails. As the great Martin Luther King stated, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
We urge and request everyone to attend
When: Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 12 PM – 1 PM
Where: Gurdwara Sikh Sangat 1400 West Euless Blvd. Euless, TX 76040
All our educators, our law enforcement officials, our elected officials, people of faith and in short all our fellow Americans are humbly requested to take advantage of this opportunity. We will highlight and recognize the fundamental principles of this great nation which was on prominent display during and in the aftermath of the Wisconsin massacre of how a nation is to respond and respect its citizens. This fundamental principle must be brought to the forefront for all to appreciate and fathom.
Sikh Americans have been an integral and constructive part of the DFW community for over 50 years and we invite you to share in our experiences and a history which permeates within all of us.
The institution of langar (community kitchen) will be in full effect in which everyone is requested to partake and have a delicious vegetarian meal. So please come by and ask your questions, eat and drink some food, or just engage with your neighbors.
For any questions or comments please contact: 
1. Gurvinder Singh  469.222.6288 gurvinder.singh@unitedsikhs.org 
2. Manmohan Singh 469.733.5190 m.singh.180@gmail.com 
3. Manpreet Singh  972-415-7897 kingmani15@yahoo.com 
4. Pritpal Singh  214-505-6375 pritpaltx@yahoo.com 
We will be honored and look forward to your presence. 
  
—————————————————————–
Mike is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, interfaith, politics, foreign policy, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. He is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, commentator on national radio network, writes weekly at Dallas Morning News and bi monthly at Huffington post and several periodicals. His daily blog is www.TheGhousediary.com