Dallas' Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge opens on Trinity River

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It is a tiny butterfly and not an eagle over Mike’s head

March 3, 2012 – Dallas New Land Mark opened today. It’s the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge over Trinity River. One of these days, we will have River walk like in San Antonio, and probably bigger than that, as it is a huge basin with levy on either side…. It is scenic! It’s been debated for over 20 years now. The citizens have not approved the bond to make it happen.
It is amazing how a small group of people are bent on opposing everything including prosperity, they simply do not see the overall benefits to the common man in terms of jobs, economic growth and all…
Three pictures in the linked album are unusual….. What seems to be an eagle over my head in this picture is actually a butterfly; it is the same size as the one sitting on my head in the picture… I am trying to understand the magic of this picture….how did the photographer take the picture to make the butterfly look so big? The other picture is the contrast, looks like a scene from a movie… Dallas Skyline with Native Americans… indeed, Dallas is enriched with the presence of over 100 Native American nations. The story and a few amazing pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157629141809118/
Mary Ann Thompson-Frenk and Coke Buchanan had organized the butterfly release synching with the opening of the bridge. I was unable to get the butterfly on my finger, she flew the moment I opened the packet… however, there was a kid on whose finger a butter fly rested… and took off … it was amazing… and I was simply admiring and watching it and woke up little too late to take a picture …however, the photographer took it is in the link !
I will write about how Cities function and dysfunction; Cities like Plano, Frisco, Garland, Carrollton, Dallas, Irving and Colorado Springs… That’s another story, you can watch for at www.TheGhousediary.com
# # #
Bridge -O-Rama Press Release
To honor Dallas’ cultural diversity, Memnosyne Foundation is gathered people attired in traditional regalia from international cultural organizations to release butterflies into the air. The butterfly is a sacred ancient symbol of freedom, independence, transformation, personal journey and faith. The image will imprint a message of Dallas’ growing diversity and desire for unity for years to come.

Dallas has become the incubator for America’s future.
Forty-four percent of North Texas residents were born in another country or are the children of foreign-born who recognized the city’s potential for ever-growing prosperity and we want to celebrate in unity!
To honor this diversity, Memnosyne Foundation gathered people attired in traditional regalia from international cultural organizations to release butterflies into the air. The butterfly is a sacred ancient symbol of freedom, independence, transformation, personal journey and faith. The image will imprint a message of Dallas’ growing diversity and desire for unity for years to come.

Memnosyne Foundation is grateful for its participation by
Paula Caldwell – Consul General of Canada for Texas, Cheryl Mansour – Chancellor of the Royal Norwegian Consulate; John M. Stich – Honorary Consul General of Japan in Dallas, Av. Nelu Prodan – Honorary Consul Of Romania in Dallas -Texas, Dr. Don Beck with The Center for Human Emergence, Ed Fjordbak with the Essilor Vision Foundation, Mike Ghouse with the America Together Foundation, Peggy Larney with the American Indian Heritage Day Council, Daniel Patricio with the Native Indian Youth Assembly, Natasha Ksendzoff with the Russian School of Dallas, Sandy Kloberdanz with the Ukrainian American Society of Texas, Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico, Polish American Foundation, Mayumi McDonald with the Japan America Society of Dallas, DFW Native American Chamber of Commerce, Unity of Dallas and over 200 others in its Butterfly Release celebrating Dallas’ cultural diversity at the Margaret Hunt Hill Celebration Bridge-O-Rama on March 3.
A special thanks of sincere appreciation to Grupo Cualli Tepec Danza Azteca Chichimeca Conchera with the sound of conch shells for opening the ceremonial sacred space, calling the spirits of the four cardinal directions—South, West, North, and East—and Mother Earth and Father Sky, and to Bandan Koro African Drum Ensemble for providing the heartbeat of Mother Earth in the ceremonial release of butterflies as a symbol of our nation’s most precious gift “Freedom”.
The event was joyful for everyone as the Monarchs were introduced to a new destination in their annual migration from Mexico to Canada – the banks of our Trinity River.

Happy Purim, one of the happiest Jewish Holidays

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I am pleased to wish a very Happy Purim to our Jewish friends across the globe.  Purim is one of the happiest of holidays of the Jewish people, it the story of freedom from anxiety of being annihilated.  This has reference to a point in history where an evil man plots to annihilate the Jews, but the Persian king is persuaded by Esther otherwise. It was a major victory and thus the celebration.  Happy Purim.
I have written a heartfelt article on Israel and Palestine, published in 3 installments at Huffington post.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/israel-and-palestine-moving-forward_b_1258261.html . You might understand the history of Jewish people to understand Purim.
The book of Esther
The story of Purim is told in the Biblical book of Esther. The heroes of the story are Esther, a beautiful young Jewish woman living in Persia, and her cousin Mordecai, who raised her as if she were his daughter. Esther was taken to the house of Ahasuerus, King of Persia, to become part of his harem. King Ahasuerus loved Esther more than his other women and made Esther queen, but the king did not know that Esther was a Jew, because Mordecai told her not to reveal her identity.
The villain of the story is Haman, an arrogant, egotistical advisor to the king. Haman hated Mordecai because Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, so Haman plotted to destroy the Jewish people. In a speech that is all too familiar to Jews, Haman told the king, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your realm. Their laws are different from those of every other people’s, and they do not observe the king’s laws; therefore it is not befitting the king to tolerate them.” Esther 3:8. The king gave the fate of the Jewish people to Haman, to do as he pleased to them. Haman planned to exterminate all of the Jews.
Mordecai persuaded Esther to speak to the king on behalf of the Jewish people. This was a dangerous thing for Esther to do, because anyone who came into the king’s presence without being summoned could be put to death, and she had not been summoned. Esther fasted for three days to prepare herself, then went into the king. He welcomed her. Later, she told him of Haman’s plot against her people. The Jewish people were saved, and Haman and his ten sons were hanged on the gallows that had been prepared for Mordecai.
The book of Esther is unusual in that it is the only book of the Bible that does not contain the name of G-d. In fact, it includes virtually no reference to G-d. Mordecai makes a vague reference to the fact that the Jews will be saved by someone else, if not by Esther, but that is the closest the book comes to mentioning G-d. Thus, one important message that can be gained from the story is that G-d often works in ways that are not apparent, in ways that appear to be chance, coincidence or ordinary good luck.
From Judaism 101

Mike Ghouse
www.ProfessionalSpeakerMikeGhouse.com 
www.foundationforpluralism.com 

HAPPY HOLI, the India festival of colors and joy

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Radiant Colors of Holi

Holi is an Indian festival of radiance. It is a celebration of spring with colors that nourish one’s joyous moods and complements the function of respective elements in the atmosphere.
Legend has it, that Lord Krishna is believed to have complained to his mother about his dark complexion while Radha’s had a lighter skin. Krishna’s mother decided to apply color to Radha’s face (Reverse Make up?) The celebrations officially usher in spring, the celebrated season of love.

The essence of Holi is liberation and breaking the barriers between adults and children, family members and friends, and the festivity opens up to each other.

Several years ago, my son, daughter and I were drenched in Holi colors at the Hindu Temple festivities and were driving home. At a stop light, people in others cars on either side stared at us and looked scared and drove off screeching on the green light… the three of us laughed and looked at each other…  it dawned on us that we looked bloody, green, yellow and mellow…….colors in our hair, face and clothes…

My kids thoroughly enjoyed throwing the colors in liquid and dust forms on me, they loved it. I would also call it friendship festival as it removes inhibitions.
Prasad’s daughter, Prasad Thotakura | Jasmina, Mike and Jeff Ghouse

Wow, Happy Holi!

Although Holi is part of the Hindu tradition, most Indians participate in it, here is a song that reflects the unity of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians and of course, Jains, Zoroastrians, Baha’i, Jews, Buddhist and native traditions… also celebrate it.  Here is a Bollywood song to reflect that.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NocV6jsegVY
The picture below reflects that sentiments – all colors coming together to create oneness, thus the phrase Vasudaiva Kutumbukum; the whole world is one family. Similar expressions are a staple in every faith.
Holi is celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar month Phalguna which usually falls in the later part of February or March.
Since 1993, I have been writing about every festival on the earth, have done a weekly Radio program called “Festivals of the world” and shared about each festival.  Make it simple enough that most people can get the essence of it. For Hindus there is lot more depth and meaning to it, but for the non-Hindus, this gives them an idea about the festival. It is a part of the Pluralism education, so we all can know each other and appreciate our own uniqueness. Each one of is a model of our own.
Happy Holi and please enjoy the songs;
From the movie Lagaan, Radha Kaisay na Jalay – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmC86-uX7JE
Top ten Holi songs – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEkZddiPP7g&feature=related
Mike Ghouse is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, and cohesive societies. www.ProfessionalSpeakerMikeGhouse.com and current articles at www.TheGhousediary.com

CAIR responds positively, it does not discriminate any Muslim

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I just (9:00 PM, March 6, 2012) spoke with Mr. Ibrahim Hooper; apparently he was upset about something else, and took it out on me. However he came back and said he was sorry and that is fine with me. I understand the daily pressures he goes through at CAIR, but to jump on me, who was defending CAIR was not kosher. He did not even read the first paragraph, which I read to him and is appended below. 

As Muslims we need to go beyond the personalities and look at the matter at hand and find solutions. We are fine now. 

As a Muslim you would defend any false charges against Islam, and same goes with an organization that has become a representative of Muslims. I have been consistently doing this for nearly a decade. Look up Worldnet site, quite extensive interviews on there; I have stood up for CAIR on Hannity show many a times and done that on my forums particularly at the WorldMuslimCongress@yahoogroups.com 

On my part, I have and I will continue to stand up for any one from Atheist to Zoroastrian and every one in between including the native and earth based traditions.

Arguments aside, here is the bottom line:

CAIR does not discriminate against any Muslim, he said, CAIR will even defend the Civil rights of Jews, Hindus and others. I am copying this to CAIR reps and if it is different, we will add their correct version here to reflect their exact position.

All I wanted was one single statement or link to their policy manual that they do not discriminate. It will put an end to the criticism leveled at CAIR every where. All of this was not necessary.

Mr. Hooper insisted that I give his cell phone number (202) 744-7726 and he will deal with anyone who has a problem. 

He is indeed the spokesperson, but the ownership of CAIR belongs to the community. CAIR claims it represents Muslims, and the depth of that phrase needs to be understood. 
     
Here is that statement, CAIR fights against bigotry and will reject any suggestion that a Muslim be denied Justice because one is not Muslim enough.  Should someone seek help of CAIR, they will not deny it to any one, particularly if someone calls himself or herself a Muslim. They are welcome to clarify it. The suggestions floated here sound like bigotry;  i.e. if you are taken into an emergency room of a hospital, you should get the medical care only if you are American enough.   

Continued with previous note: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/03/cair-should-not-deny-help-to-any-muslim.html 

India Association celebrates fifty years

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Sunday, February 4, 2012 – The India Association of North Texas initiated celebration of 50 years of its glorious existence by inviting community leaders for a dinner gathering at the India Associations new building at 701 N. Central Expressway in Richardson, TX 75080.

Mike Ghouse at India Association speaking about Foundation for Pluralism

Thanks to the Board of Trustees, Directors and volunteers for making this event possible. It was great to connect with every one. 

We, the Indian Americans are a thriving community here in Dallas area and have earned a respectable place in the society and I rejoiced this celebration along with my fellow Indians. One of the accomplishments is to have our own building, thanks to the leadership and Jack Godhwani for making this happen.
This event made me appreciate those who have created a beautiful legacy for us. It reminded me of a celebration we had organized for seniors in the 90’s. We invited the pioneers for dinner and have them share their stories. We also did a radio talk show in 1997 where they shared their stories about what Dallas was like in the early 60’s. Each one of us have added something significant to Dallas Desi living and some day, I hope to write the history of it with pictures and all. I have not seen the book, but someone at UT Austin wrote a book on history of Indian Americans in Texas and I have provided him the information I had available to me, I believe he has written a note about me as well.
Three Indians made it to America before our independence and have made Dallas their home; Late Amir Khan around 1910, Mr. Pallana in 1946 (to the US, I need to check how long he was in Dallas) and one of my Jewish Indian Friends came to the US in 1932, and the late Ike Sekhon in 1957. In the early sixties about ten families made it to Dallas – Dr. Prabhakar and Asha Ghate, Dr. Kapadia, Saboo, and a few others (I have to dig into my Radio Shows and notes to list them all). Most of them are all here.
Please remember the critical period of the history at that time – Martin Luther King’s legacy had not come in to effect yet – the non-whites had to sit in the back of the bus and had to drink water from a separate fountain. One of these days, I will share what it was like for them then.

President of India Late Sri Sarvapalli Radha Krishnan, Saint Mother Teresa, former Prime Minister VP Singh, Laloo Prasad, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Dilip Kumar, Late Dev Anand and other legends have graced our city as well…
There are a lot of firsts. Just to recall on the food side, India Coffee House was the first Indian Restaurant on Mockingbird lane, owned by Madan Goyal, then came Pradeep Sharma (India Palace), Veer Singh and Nick Kumar with Kebab n Curry in 1983, that popularized Indian cuisines in the Metroplex. Right along came Saheb’s restaurant on Park Lane, which uplifted the Indian food to fine dining. There is Dilip Shah of Travel King, one of the first travel agents in the area, then Mr. Sharma, who had a grocery story on Preston Road and Mr. Pallana who had a store in Oak Lawn and Ranajani Pallana who popularized Yoga in Dallas.
Thanks to Dilip Shah for planting the seeds of Anand Bazar some 20 years ago, and Akram Syed for initiating the Gandhi Walk and …… for commencing India Nite? I can’t believe, I don’t know it. Thanks to Prasad Thotakura and Taiyab Kundwala for working on the Gandhi Statue in Dallas The list of good things is endless! Believe me, when I get a chance, I will write about each one of our leaders in North Texas who have contributed significantly towards the growth of our community, whether they are Hindu, Muslim, Jain, Sikh, Christian or others, they have done it all together. This is just an initial note in between my work and more will be written for the event.
I request India Association to consider organizing a dinner event to appreciate the pioneers of Dallas, On occasion of the 50th anniversary of India Association’s celebration around Middle of June, and I will be happy to assist or coordinate the event.
Mike Ghouse,
A life member of India Association
Associate Member of India Association as President of Foundation for Pluralism
Moderator of DallasIndians@yahoogroups.com
http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer committed to building a cohesive America where no American has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other.www.MikeGhouse.net

TEXAS FAITH: Is the world getting better?

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We certainly read a lot in, yes, newspapers about things going awry. Republican candidates making the case against Barack Obama offer ample examples of the world being a mess. And many a book has been sold about the next coming crisis.

But are we looking at all this the wrong way. Is it indeed the case that the world is getting better?  Dallas Morning News weekly column.

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

Indeed the world is getting better and the worsening part is slowing down. Overall, the individuals in a given society feel relatively safe, secure and less apprehensive today than ever before, while the oppression and harassment of people in different parts of the world continues.

Our model is based on, “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.”

Seventy five years ago, we had about five democratic nations in the world. Today, we have approximately 100 nations and we still have another 96 to go and most of the 96 are moving towards freer societies.

Liberty and the pursuit of happiness are gaining momentum without the tyrants like Kim Jong Il, Muammar Gaddafi, Ali Saleh, Saddam Hussein, Hasni Mubarak and Ben Ali, while Bashar Asad is still at large.

Two decades ago, we had over a dozen regions of the world with active belligerent conflicts. Today, we are down to a few, including Israel and Palestine, and indeed it is the mother of all conflicts. Our policies have really messed up security for Israel and justice for the Palestinians. We need to demand them to sit together and negotiate peace. Instead, we (and the others) have equipped each other with arms to fight more and kill more.

Mahmud Ahmedinejad and Bibi Netanyahu are no doubt elected by the people. But do they truly represent the will of their people now? Are they delivering security to their people or bent on threatening each other and escalating the conflict?

Dialogue is the best option. Mother Teresa said if you want peace, go talk with your enemies, you don’t make peace with your friends; you do that with your enemies. War will ruin every one and most certainly will bankrupt Americans. We don’t need any more of it. We need to aggressively pursue conflict mitigation more than these two men push for destruction. Our president needs to take a firm stand for the sake of peace and security for that region, and stop us from draining ourselves.

Is life getting better in America? Hell yes, on the social front.

When Rush Limbaugh saw that the advertisers were pulling out from his show, and the broadcasters may have warned him that his fate will be similar to Glenn Beck’s, he apologized for the sake of the dollars. This is a great example of turning the tables on the idiom, “evil persists because good men do nothing about it.” Indeed, evil stops, if good people do something about it.

Anti-circumcision bills, in effect anti-Jewish bills, in Santa Monica and San Francisco were finally yanked from the ballot of those cities. The ridiculous anti-immigrant bill in Farmers Branch is in the courts now, and many states have passed legislation guaranteeing the personal freedom and liberty for gay marriages. Racism is on decline. Many men will join women in slowing Mullah Santorum’s stance on women. The federal court judge threw out the gratuitous anti-Sharia bill in Oklahoma and indeed we have a symposium planned on Sharia, here in Dallas to better understand it and hope to un-intensify another ill of the society: Islamophobia.

On the economic front, we have a ways to go, but improvement is visible. Unemployment is down to 8.3%. We still have 2.3 million jobs out there that need matching skills, if president’s retraining talk goes into action, we can hope for at 7% unemployment rate by the end of this year. Higher employment contributes toward increased tax revenues and deficit reduction, which in turn will boost consumer confidence to spend, and the economy will take off and prosperity will be back on our threshold. God bless America!

For responses from other Panelists at Dallas Morning news, please visit:
http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/03/texas-faith-is-the-world-getti.html

Mike Ghouse is a speaker thinker and a writer, committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a frequent guest on Fox TV with Sean Hannity and national syndicated radio show, writes weekly at Dallas Morning news and Huffington post and speaks on Pluralism, Politics, Islam, India and about building Cohesive America. All work is listed at www.MikeGhouse.net
Link to the article –  http://nabsites.net/demo/texas-faith-is-world-getting-better/

Super Tuesday 2012

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Published at: http://smirkingchimp.com/thread/mike-ghouse/41782/super-tuesday-2012

The primaries are held in 10 states with 437 delegates at stake. To win the nomination, the candidate has to bag 1144delegates out of 2286. Each state has a number of delegates and the state decides whether each candidate gets delegates proportional to the votes casted, or some fixed and variable numbers or even the winner takes it all. 

Of the 2286 total Delegates, 324 have been assigned, and 437 are at stake on Super Tuesday; a 10 state contest. The number of delegates is figured out by the number of congressional districts.  This Tuesday at stake are; Georgia (76), Ohio (66), Tennessee (58), Virginia (49), Oklahoma (43), Massachusetts (41), North Dakota (28), Idaho (32), Vermont (17) an Alaska (24).
The current delegate count of the candidates is; Romney 180, Santorum 90, Gingrich 29 and Ron Paul 23.
This is an amazing process, politics aside, and look at the candidates… They are out day and night… for nearly a year; they are all over the country. There is nothing else going for them for a full year, what a life!
The process matures a few candidates, hardens some, and softens some. I wish this system is adopted by other nations as well. The public will get to know the candidates in all their moods, while the candidate’s fine tune themselves to the larger sensitivities of the nation and some dig deeper in their narrowness… I love this process.
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer committed to a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

Divorce and Islam | Deviant practice of triple Talaq

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http://nabsites.net/demo/divorce-and-islam-deviant-practice-of/

When it comes to flipping the scripture to suit men’s ego, Islam is no different than Christianity, Judaism or other faiths. Instead of looking down upon ourselves, we need to find ways to restore Islam to what Quraan guides us.

I wrote an article on the deviant practice of triple Talaq that cause my friend Mohammad Irtaza to compile verses from Quraan. Those who are familiar with American laws of divorce find them in tune with Quraan; serving justice to both men and women.
As a habit, I have randomly checked the translations provided and have doubled on some with translations from Muhammad Asad.  After debating and chasing a few Neocons for nearly a decade, and managing the Quraan conference in 2010, I have come to practice what I preach – read the actual Quraan, and check at least three different translations to ensure that it makes sense. Quraan is a common sense book of guidance to me.
If the words don’t make sense, then the problem is translations and not the word of God. Men and women are each other’s garments, declares the Quraan. Meaning both are equally responsible for each other’s joy, care, kindness and happiness. No one was burdened more than the other.
Mike Ghouse committed to nurturing the pluralistic values of Quraan and Islam. Please visit our mother site – www.IslamTogetherfoundation.com
Garment verse
Foundation of marriage
Marriage is a bond between man and woman. God Almighty discourages divorce as understood from many verses of the Quran.
God Almighty dictates a pre-divorce interim for four months and the reason is stated very clearly in the Quran.
[2:226] Those who intend to divorce their wives shall wait four months (cooling off); if they change their minds and reconcile, then GOD is Forgiver, Merciful.
2:226 (Asad) Those who take an oath that they will not approach their wives shall have four months of grace; and if they go back [on their oath] -behold, God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.
[2:227] If they go through with the divorce, then GOD is Hearer, Knower.
2:227 (Asad) But if they are resolved on divorce -behold, God is all-hearing, all-knowing.

[4:35] If a couple fears separation, you shall appoint an arbitrator from his family and an arbitrator from her family; if they decide to reconcile, GOD will help them get together. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant.

4:35 (Asad) And if you have reason to fear that a breach might occur between a [married] couple, appoint an arbiter from among his people and an arbiter from among her people; if they both want to set things aright, God may bring about their reconciliation. Be­hold, God is indeed all-knowing, aware.
[30:21]. Among His proofs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves, in order to have tranquility and contentment with each other, and He placed in your hearts love and care towards your spouses. In this, there are sufficient proofs for people who think.
[65:1] O you prophet, when you people divorce the women, you shall ensure that a divorce interim is fulfilled. You shall measure such an interim precisely. You shall reverence GOD your Lord. Do not evict them from their homes, nor shall you make life miserable for them, to force them to leave on their own, unless they commit a proven adultery. These are GOD’s laws. Anyone who transgresses GOD’s laws commits an injustice against himself. You never know; maybe GOD wills something good to come out of this.

[65:2] Once the interim is fulfilled, you may reconcile with them equitably, or go through with the separation equitably. You shall have two equitable witnesses witness the divorce before GOD. This is to enlighten those who believe in GOD and the Last Day. Anyone who reverences GOD, He will create an exit for him.

[65:3] And will provide for him whence he never expected. Anyone who trusts in GOD, He suffices him. GOD’s commands are done. GOD has decreed for everything its fate.
God Almighty also dictates a post-divorce interim and the reason is stated very clearly. Additionally, woman’s right after divorce is reserved!

[2:228] The divorced women shall wait three menstruations (before marrying another man). It is not lawful for them to conceal what GOD creates in their wombs, if they believe in GOD and the Last Day. (In case of pregnancy,) the husband’s wishes shall supersede the wife’s wishes, if he wants to remarry her. The women have rights, as well as obligations, equitably. Thus, the man’s wishes prevail (in case of pregnancy). GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.

[65:4] As for the women who have reached menopause, if you have any doubts, their interim shall be three months. As for those who do not menstruate, and discover that they are pregnant, their interim ends upon giving birth. Anyone who reverences GOD, He makes everything easy for him.

[65:5] This is GOD’s command that He sends down to you. Anyone who reverences GOD, He remits his sins, and rewards him generously.

[2:231] If you divorce the women, once they fulfill their interim (three menstruations), you shall allow them to live in the same home amicably, or let them leave amicably.Do not force them to stay against their will, as a revenge. Anyone who does this wrongs his own soul. Do not take GOD’s revelations in vain. Remember GOD’s blessings upon you, and that He sent down to you the scripture and wisdom to enlighten you. You shall observe GOD, and know that GOD is aware of all things.
2:231 (Asad) And so, when you divorce women and they are about to reach the end of their waiting-term, then either retain them in a fair manner or let them go in a fair manner. But do not retain them against their will in order to hurt [them]: for he who does so sins indeed against himself. And do not take [these] messages of God in a frivolous spirit; and remember the blessings with which God has graced you, and all the revelation and the wisdom which He has bestowed on you from on high in order to admonish you thereby; and remain conscious of God, and know that God has full knowledge of everything.

[2:232] If you divorce the women, once they fulfill their interim, do not prevent them from remarrying their husbands, if they reconcile amicably. This shall be heeded by those among you who believe in GOD and the Last Day. This is purer for you, and more righteous. GOD knows, while you do not know.

[2:233] Divorced mothers shall nurse their infants two full years, if the father so wishes. The father shall provide the mother’s food and clothing equitably. No one shall be burdened beyond his ability. No mother shall be harmed on account of her infant, nor shall the father be harmed because of his infant. (If the father dies), his inheritor shall assume these responsibilities. If the infant’s parents mutually agree to part, after due consultation, they commit no error by doing so. You commit no error by hiring nursing mothers, so long as you pay them equitably. You shall observe GOD, and know that GOD is Seer of everything you do.

[65:6] You shall allow them to live in the same home in which they lived with you, and do not make life so miserable for them that they leave on their own. If they are pregnant, you shall spend on them until they give birth. If they nurse the infant, you shall pay them for this service. You shall maintain the amicable relations among you. If you disagree, you may hire another woman to nurse the child.
65:6 (Asad) [Hence,] let the women [who are undergoing a waiting-period] live in the same manner as you live yourselves, In accordance with your means; and do not harass them with a view to making their lives a misery. And if they happen to be with child, spend freely on them until they deliver their burden; and if they nurse your offspring [after the divorce has become final], give them their [due] recompense; and take counsel with one another in a fair manner [about the child’s future]. And if both of you find it difficult [that the mother should nurse the child], let another woman nurse it on behalf of him [who has begotten it].

[65:7] The rich husband shall provide support in accordance with his means, and the poor shall provide according to the means that GOD bestowed upon him. GOD does not impose on any soul more than He has given it. GOD will provide ease after difficulty.
A post-divorce interim is not required in the following situation.

[33:49] O you who believe, if you married believing women, then divorced them before having intercourse with them, they do not owe you any waiting interim (before marrying another man). You shall compensate them equitably, and let them go amicably.
God Almighty discourages divorce and divorce may be retracted twice.

Marriage is a sacred bond between man and woman and therefore, should be taken very seriously! The couple may not get another chance to remarry each other after third divorce, because of the condition they need to meet as stated in verse 2:230 below!

[2:229] Divorce may be retracted twice. The divorced woman shall be allowed to live in the same home amicably, or leave it amicably. It is not lawful for the husband to take back anything he had given her. However, the couple may fear that they may transgress GOD’s law. If there is fear that they may transgress GOD’s law, they commit no error if the wife willingly gives back whatever she chooses. These are GOD’s laws; do not transgress them. Those who transgress GOD’s laws are the unjust.

[2:230] If he divorces her (for the third time), it is unlawful for him to remarry her, unless she marries another man, then he divorces her. The first husband can then remarry her, so long as they observe GOD’s laws. These are GOD’s laws; He explains them for people who know.

2:230 (Asad) And if he divorces her [finally], she shall thereafter not be lawful unto him unless she first takes another man for husband; then, if the latter divorces her, there shall be no sin upon either of the two if they return to one another-provided that both of them think that they will be able to keep within the bounds set by God: for these are the bounds of God which He makes clear unto people of [innate] knowledge.
My (Mike Ghouse) understanding – God prefers the couple to be married for good, and does not like divorce.  In the situation 2:230, it was to discourage men and women to divorce and recognize the consequences of such eventuality.  Going through the hoops could do two things – establish that they really want each other and are willing to go through the difficult process, or if there is no such strength in the relationship, it will end there anyways.
People who do not seek guidance from the Quran and follow scholar’s opinion are addressed by the following verses.
[9:31] They have set up their religious leaders and scholars as lords, instead of GOD. Others deified the Messiah, son of Mary. They were all commanded to worship only one god. There is no god except He. Be He glorified, high above having any partners.

[9:34] O you who believe, many religious leaders and preachers take the people’s money illicitly, and repel from the path of GOD. Those who hoard the gold and silver, and do not spend them in the cause of GOD, promise them a painful retribution.

[63:4] When you see them, you may be impressed by their looks. And when they speak, you may listen to their eloquence. They are like standing logs. They think that every call is intended against them. These are the real enemies; beware of them. GOD condemns them; they have deviated.

The Quran is a perfect, complete and fully detailed book for us to follow. The Quran is the only Hadith to be obeyed!

[11:1] A.L.R. This is a scripture whose verses have been perfected, then elucidated. It comes from a Most Wise, Most Cognizant.

[41:3] A scripture whose verses provide the complete details, in an Arabic Quran, for people who know.

[45:6] These are GOD’s revelations that we recite to you truthfully. In which Hadith other than GOD and His revelations do they believe?
Proposed changes in Indian Muslim Personal Laws on Triple Talaq, the article is published at:
·         http://www.indianmuslimobserver.com/2012/02/latest-editorial-lets-sincerely-table.html
·         http://nabsites.net/demo/proposed-changes-in-indian-musli/ 

Rush Limbaugh's Dollar based Apology

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We know Limbaugh is wrong and he knows it as well, a half hearted apology is the most we can expect from an egomaniac and we need to let it go, his time has come.   Men like him don’t buckle because they are wrong, they do it because it affects their paycheck.  

When he saw advertisers were pulling out, and most probably the broadcasters told him, Rush, with the advertisers gone, you will be gone too.  Remember Beck?
This is a great example of turning the tables on the idiom, “evil persists because good men do nothing about it.”  Indeed, evil stops, if good people do something about it.
I am disappointed, that Republicans did not have the courage to speak up and tell Limbaugh that he was wrong. Ms. Fluke was testifying in favor of contraceptives to an all men congress and Rush jumps in and calls here a prostitute and a slut. That is disgusting intolerance on his part, and he calls himself a conservative? Where are you manner Mr. Limbaugh? Is that the way you talk about a lady? That is not what the Republican Party stands for, and that is not conservatism.
George Stephanopoulos writes at ABC news about the following candidates,
Santorum: “While Rick Santorum said Limbaugh’s comments were “absurd,” he said the radio host was an “entertainer” and “an entertainer can be absurd.”
Gingrich: “Rather than criticizing Limbaugh’s choice of words, Newt Gingrich instead blasted Obama for “opportunistically” calling Fluke on Friday to thank her for testifying.”
Romney: “It’s not the language I would have used.”
Boehner: “Boehner comes out and says Rush’s language was inappropriate. Using the salad fork for your entrée, that’s inappropriate”
George Will was right, “It is the responsibility of conservatives to police the right and its excesses, just as the liberals unfailingly fail to police the excesses on their own side.”
The Republicans stood on the side lines on the issue and I am disappointed. I am glad at least we had one who spoke up, Peggy Noonan said,  “Limbaugh’s comments were “crude, rude, even piggish” and that they were “deeply destructive and unhelpful.” She should have run for the president, the lady has guts!
President Obama was blunt in calling Limbaugh’s statements, “reprehensible,” knowing well that it is bad politically. Now, Rush will make it his life’s purpose to attack Obama daily.  President did the right thing and I wish the Republicans had spoken in the same manner. We are all in this together, to do the right thing and discuss issues in civil manner and not call Ms. Fluke a slut for part-taking in the democratic process.

I would urge Mr. Limbaugh to offer a sincere apology followed by decency towards women and men alike who disagree with him. It is an opportunity for him to prove that he is a real conservative, not by bashing others but by highlighting the goodness of conservatism.

I am a moderate Republican and I sound like a conservative against the Chickens Romney, Santorum and Gingrich.
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer offering pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

Texas Faith: Are humans to serve the Earth? Or is the Earth to serve humans?

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This week’s question comes from a suggestion by panelist Daniel Kanter and it follows up on remarks that Rick Santorum made recently in speeches and on TV about the environment. Here is an excerpt from Santorum’s February 19 appearance on CBS’ Face the Nation:

“Man is here …to care for the Earth, to be a steward of the Earth. But we’re not here to serve the Earth. The Earth is not the objective. Man is the objective. And-I think a lot of radical environmentalists have it upside down.”
Previously, Santorum made similar comments in Colorado, where he reportedly said:
“We were put on this Earth as creatures of God to have dominion over the Earth, to use it wisely and steward it wisely, but for our benefit not for the Earth’s benefit.”
Santorum followed up his observations in Colorado with comments about climate change. But I’m not interested in a debate about the pros-and-cons of that subject for this week. Rather, I would like to hear your answer to this philosophical and theological question:
Is man here to serve the Earth? Or is the Earth here to serve man?
Read on to hear what our panelists think about this issue, which goes to the heart of the religion-and-politics nexus.
MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas
Our species is the first one among others to have mastered the furies of nature and survive against odds, unlike the dinosaurs and other species that did not.
The planet Earth has stability and balance built into it, and placed on a precise trajectory to revolve around the solar system. However, the earth can be thrown off its dynamic equilibrium with global warming, nuclear explosions and other man-made activities that are foreign to Earth’s nature.
If the senator had attended science classes, he would have known how fertile lands have become deserts, or how irresponsible management of waste can cause our water to be destructive to health, and how the soil erosions (alluvial) can rob food productivity.
If we don’t take care of mother Earth, she would deprive us of her fruits. It is a mutually respectful relationship with Earth, and not a Bam, slam, thank you maam kind of relationship.
I want to kill the stereotyping stamped on Republicans as men with a deficit in long-term thinking. The presidential candidates are a minority among us, just like in any group. They do not reflect the majority of moderate Republican men and women who understand science and nature and care for fellow beings. I am a moderate Republican and I am proud of it.
Indeed, we are all a part of one interconnected and interdependent system. Keeping its equilibrium is our responsibility for our own survival as a part of the whole.
Chief Seattle, a Native American, said it perfectly; “All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the webs, he does it to himself.”
Carl Sagan adds, “We succeeded in taking that picture [from deep space], and, if you look at it, you see a dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever lived, lived out their lives… every inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every superstar, every supreme leader, every saint and sinner in the history of our species, lived there on a mote of dust, suspended in a sunbeam.”
We are a merely a strand in the cosmic whole. Earth will not be there for man, if man becomes a user and abuser of mother Earth. Man was given the intelligence to manage the affairs of the planet to the mutual benefit of its entire inhabitant and the web it inhabits.
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Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a speaker, thinker and a writer and his work is linked to thirty blogs and four websites indexed at www.MikeGhouse.net