Hannity, Horowitz and Ghouse on Air today

      Comments Off on Hannity, Horowitz and Ghouse on Air today
http://nabsites.net/demo/hannity-horowitz-and-ghouse-on-air/
Hannity, Horowitz and Ghouse on nationally syndicated Radio. It will be on 5:00 EST again. Check your local listings –http://www.hannity.com/stations
These are my random notes and I did not have a chance to organize my thougts and language.
David Horowitz will probably not ask for me again to be on Air with him, I was assertive in letting him know that he was misinformed about Islam, his lack of knowledge was obvious when he talked about Quraan. He said,  he visited my site and asked for me on Hannity today. I am glad he did, it is possible he may have a heart for the truth and is simply misled by the financial gains in bashing Islam.
Sean introduced me as President of ACT for America and immediately corrected himself that it was Brigitte Gabriel’s organization and mine was America together Foundation. I am glad he gave a plug when I mentioned to him that Brigitte inspired me to form the organization to do exactly opposite of what she does; to pit one American against the other.  He said he will tell her that.  I am glad the message is communicated.  The organization info is at: http://www.americatogetherfoundation.com/
The program was about Burqa – It is not a religious requirement but a cultural evolvement and change can come only though education and not compulsion.  I am not for Burqa but I will defend any woman’s right to wear what she chooses. Men should be exiled to caves who force women to do anything against their will.
The creep Osama bin Laden wants to force women to wear Burqa and the other creep Sarkozy wants to force women not to wear. What do these brutes think? Women are a plaything?
Was it the French who thought women were their chattels, and they can force them to do anything?
Should not women have the right to eat, drink, wear and believe what they want?
I hope all the French women wear Burqa one day, let them do what they can. It is the wrong law to have passed and we cannot have such evil laws forcing women.
Men can be fined for forcing women to wear the Burqa, but no woman should be told what to wear or not wear and no woman should be fined for her freedom.
As usual the right wingers keep jumping from topics to topics, and ironically, Horowitz calls the verse from Quraan to be removed which he claimed calls Jews to be apes. I was assertive in telling him that he was dead wrong and there is no such verse in Quraan. http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/01/jews-turned-into-apes.html  Indeed shamelessly a few Muslims subscribe to that non-sense; that God Judges his own creation before the Day of Judgment.
I have challenged him to go face to face on any verse in Quraan. There is nothing evil in it, let’s have it head on.
The man jumped again by telling that the Brotherhood was calling on destruction of Israel, and I reminded him that evil individuals exist every where; there was a Rabbi who said it was ok to Kill Palestinian children and some 200 Rabbis have endorsed it – he denied that report.
What is the burning desire in him to malign and falsify a religion? He was evasive about it.
He jumps again to the next branch accusing ISNA, CAIR and other organizations claiming they are arms of Brotherhood, and I told him that it pays to him say that, there is no evidence or proof of that.
Mine was the last word and I summed it up by saying that women should have the freedom to wear and not be forced upon what they can or cannot wear.  I told him that he is dead wrong in reading and quoting the mistranslated verses for his advantage, truth needs to be told and nothing beats looking up the book.
My phone went dead in the middle and lost the time to ask the question upon reconnection that has he attempted to seek truth about Quraan and Muslims? He said he went through all my websites and did not find condemnations, indeed there are many, he just did not look for it.
# # #
I am committed to building a cohesive America and nurturing the pluralistic values embedded in Islam. My new site as a Muslim Speaker is under construction, however you can visit – http://www.muslimspeakermikeghouse.blogspot.com/
Or the blog http://www.mikeghouse.net/MuslimSpeaker.MikeGhouse.asp
# # #

HELL NO – No to School Budget Cuts

      Comments Off on HELL NO – No to School Budget Cuts

Religious leadership must speak out against cutting School funding. Indeed 12 Religious leaders have spoken at the Texas Faith Panel in the Dallas Morning News – http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/04/texas-faith-should-religious-o.html

The following is my take.

Religion is one of the key strands in the overall life arrangement and it is not a stand alone independent item; everything is a part of the web of life. The Hindu teaching sums it up with a phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam; the whole world is one family and if one strand is affected it messes up the wholeness of the system.

We are (were) the most advanced nation in the world in terms of education, innovation and bringing the civilization forward, the cuts to school funding is simply not acceptable, we are regressing and will be sliding downwards if we do not take the steps now. We need to balance the budget but not at the cost of education, the very foundation of our success story. 
The religious communities are indeed involved in the process of education when it affects them directly, a very selfish irreligious value.  The California Text books were insensitive towards Hindu culture and the battle continues without much support from others. The right wingers want to push their agenda into Texas text books, if they see the sorry state of affairs they are causing, they may alter their views, someone had aptly said that he would not hire an engineer coming out of the proposed education system where the Pi is defined as an integer and not a fraction, he said his missile will not hit the target and the rockets will land on the moon.  The relentless efforts of the Jewish community to keep us from dumping a singular version of God on all Children is a major contribution in building a cohesive society, a basis for our prosperity.
Religions teach us to stand up for others, and we need to quit being selfish and join
hands with others to act in the interests of common good. It’s an insurance to preserve every one’s future. As Americans Together we need to urge our representatives to itch for restoring our firm foundation in education.
According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), “our 15-year-olds rank 17th in the world in science and 25th in math. We rank 12th among developed countries in college graduation (down from No. 1 for decades). We come in 79th in elementary-school enrollment. Our infrastructure is ranked 23rd in the world, well behind that of every other major advanced economy. “
Our representatives are not going to die out of hunger if they take pay cuts over a period of two or three years. They need to prove to us that they care about our future and are willing to take the first step in being a public servant. In Texas alone, we can afford to eliminate 75 state representatives, 15 State senators and 16 US Congressman and offer a pay cut for rest. 
The Talibans keep the children out of schools with a barrel, and our representatives want to do the same to our Children with funds? Hell no, we can afford to cut them rascals but not cut a dime to our schools.
# # #
Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions to media and the public on issues of the day and is available to speak at your place of worship, school, work, seminars and conferences. He is a speaker thinker and a writer on the topics of pluralism, cohesive societies, Islam, interfaith, India and peace.

The Foundation for Pluralism champions the idea of co-existence by respecting and accepting the otherness of other and World Muslim Congress is committed to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam. His work is reflected in 4 websites and 27 Blogs at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Ghouse Humor, Monday, April 11, 2011

      Comments Off on Ghouse Humor, Monday, April 11, 2011

http://nabsites.net/demo/ghouse-humor-monday-april-11-2011/ 

This is your weekly dose of humor, get offended and get angry but at the end laugh it off. Humor makes one see the irony of life. Blonde are stereotyped, Aggies’s and Pollock’s are the others, in every community and nation someone or the other is butt of the jokes, not any more… I will consciously make and effort to break the stereotyping in the humor I have been sharing on Mondays and I urge you to make the same effort.  I hope you laugh your tail off and enjoy the rest of the week.
_________________________________________
An 80 year old woman was arrested for shop lifting.
When she went before the judge he asked her,
“What did you steal?”
She replied: “A can of peaches”.
The judge asked her why she had stolen
them and she replied that she was hungry.
The judge then asked her how many
peaches were in the can.
She replied, “6”.
The judge then said, “I will give you 6 days in jail.”
Before the judge could actually pronounce
the punishment the woman’s husband spoke
up and asked the judge if he could say something.
He said, “What is it?”
The husband said “She also stole a can of peas.”
_______________________________________
Stranded on a chain of beautiful deserted islands in the middle of nowhere
the following people are stranded:
– Two Italian men and one Italian woman
– Two French men and one French woman
– Two German men and one German woman
– Two Greek men and one Greek woman
– Two English men and one English woman
– Two Bulgarian men and one Bulgarian woman
– Two Japanese men and one Japanese woman
– Two Chinese men and one Chinese woman
– Two Irish men and one Irish woman
– Two American men and one American woman
 
One month later, on these absolutely stunning deserted islands in the middle of nowhere, the following things have occurred:
 
* One Italian man killed the other Italian man for the Italian woman.
* The two French men and the French woman are living happily together in a menage a trois.
* The two German men have a strict weekly schedule of alternating visits with the German woman.
* The two Greek men are sleeping with each other and the Greek woman is cleaning and cooking for them.
* The two English men are waiting for someone to introduce them to the English woman.
* The two Bulgarian men took one look at the Bulgarian woman and started swimming to another island.
* The two Japanese have faxed Tokyo and are awaiting instructions.
* The two Chinese men have set up a pharmacy/liquor/store/restaurant/ laundry, and have gotten the woman pregnant in order to supply employees for their store.
* The two Irish men divided the island into North and South and set up a distillery. They do not remember if sex is in the picture because it gets somewhat foggy after a few liters of coconut whiskey. However, they’re satisfied because the English aren’t having any fun.
* The two American men are contemplating suicide, because the American woman will not shut up and complains relentlessly about her body, the true nature of feminism, what the sun is doing to her skin, how she can do anything they can do, the necessity of fulfillment, the equal division of household chores, how sand and palm trees make her look fat, how her last boyfriend respected her opinion and treated her nicer than they do, and how her relationship with her mother is the root cause of all her problems, and why didn’t they bring a damn cell phone so they could call 911 and get them all rescued off this godforsaken deserted island in the middle of friggin’ nowhere so she can go to the spa, get her nails done, get a “hot rock massage”, and go shopping… 
______________________________________
THE FOLLOWING HUMOR IS RE-WORKED TO BREAK THE STEREOTYPING
FIRST DEGREE
A married couple were asleep when the phone rang at 2 in the morning. The Read head wife picked up the phone, listened a moment and said ‘How should I know, that’s 200 miles from here!’ and hung up.
The husband said, ‘Who was that?’
The wife answered, ‘I don’t know, some woman wanting to know if the coast is clear.’
SECOND DEGREE
Two Brunettes are walking down the street. One notices a compact on the sidewalk and leans down to pick it up. She opens it, looks in the mirror and says, ‘Hmm, this person looks familiar.’
The second brunette says, ‘Here, let me see!’
So, the first brunette hands her the compact.
The second brunette looks in the mirror and says, ‘You dummy, it’s me!’
THIRD DEGREE
A Cowgirl suspects her boyfriend is cheating on her, so she goes out and buys a gun. She goes to his apartment unexpectedly and when she opens the door she finds him in the arms of a redhead. Well, the Cow Girl is really angry. She opens her purse to take out the gun, and as she does so, she is overcome with grief. She takes the gun and puts it to her head.
The boyfriend yells, ‘No, honey, don’t do it!!!’
The Cow girl replies, ‘Shut up, you’re next!’
FOURTH DEGREE
An African American woman was bragging about her knowledge of state capitals. She proudly says, ‘Go ahead, ask me, … I know ’em all.’
A friend says, ‘OK, what’s the capital of Wisconsin ?’
The lady replies’, that’s easy .. it’s W.’
FIFTH DEGREE
Q: What did the Spanish lady ask her doctor when he told her she was pregnant?
A: ‘Is it mine?’
SIXTH DEGREE
Bambi, a blonde in her fourth year as a UCLA Freshman, sat in her US Government class. The professor asked Bambi if she knew what Roe vs. Wade was about.
Bambi pondered the question; then, finally, said, ‘That was the decision George Washington had to make before he crossed the Delaware.’
SEVENTH DEGREE
Returning home from work, an Indian woman was shocked to find her house ransacked and burglarized. She telephoned the police at once and reported the crime. The police dispatcher broadcast the call on the radio, and a K-9 unit, patrolling nearby, was the first to respond.

As the K-9 officer approached the house with his dog on a leash, the Indian woman ran out on the porch, shuddered at the sight of the cop and his dog, then sat down on the steps. Putting her face in her hands, she moaned, ‘I come home to find all my possessions stolen. I call the police for help, and what do they do? They send me a BLIND policeman!’ 

_____________________________________
SPEAKER ON PLURALISM and INTERFAITH
If you know someone is looking for a speaker on Interfaith, here is the information.
Mike is available to speak on Pluralism, Islam, India, Civil Societies, and Peace & Justice at your work place, place of worship, school, seminars or conferences.  He is a media commentator offering pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. 
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer. He is committed to building a cohesive America through the America Together Foundation.

The Foundation for Pluralism champions the idea of co-existence through respecting and accepting the otherness of other while the World Muslim Congress is committed to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam.

Mike’s work is reflected at three websites & twenty two Blogs listed at http://www.MikeGhouse.net/

Also: http://www.mikeghouse.net/InterfaithSpeaker_MikeGhouse.asp
_____________________
PART TIME BUSINESS
If you know some one is looking to create a retirement income with a little effort, you can call me
Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916

Ghouse Diary for weekending April 10, 2011

      Comments Off on Ghouse Diary for weekending April 10, 2011

This last week in pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157626466582152/

Appreciated our soldiers at DFW Airport; I have gone to the Airport a few times to welcome our soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Even if we don’t agree with the wars, we have to honor our soldiers, they serve their duty faithfully.
Led the Pluralism prayers at the Carrollton City Council, a Carrollton Tradition where we invoke the prayers prior to the city council meetings. I have been a part of this program for over three years now. Mayor Tom Leppert of Dallas wanted me to do that the Dallas city council but never got around to do that. I hope to do it at the State Capital and Capitol house in DC.  Here is the short version of the prayers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Git_8Grd3A or text format
http://nabsites.net/demo/prayers-at-carrollton-city-counci/
Interfaith Dialogue on the bus was carried on with visiting Muslim leaders and Imams from Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Chad and Egypt, about ten of them in all. Went back to their hotel and carried the conversation further till 1:00 AM. It was such a delight to know about the Pluralism work being done there, its amazing that a few Muslims in America are not familiar with Pluralism deeply entrenched in Islam and Prophet Muhammad was the first interfaith religious leader in the world, however, a claim was made that Zoroastrians prior to Islam have done that as well.  Three of them are doing some extraordinary research on co-existence and it was a joy for me to hear them and share what we are doing.  http://nabsites.net/demo/prayers-at-carrollton-city-counci/ 
International Women’s cultural dances, where they showcased national dances from four different countries.  It was a great time on my table organized by Graciela, ten of us were all from different ethnicities; Spain, Ukraine, Turkey, Iran, Mexico, Taiwan, China, Belgium and of course India (me). We have to appreciate living in the United States where such openness exists, each one of us had our own unique blend of accents and it was funny to hear every one say the word Kalee-four-Niyya, even the darn Governor of California cannot pronounce the word. It is a model for the world to learn and not to be judgmental about others.
I was delighted to find Nishi Bhatia to be the president of the Association while her husband Jyoti has been a pioneer in Dallas Indian community being the first president of the India Association and one of the Presidents of the Hindu Temple
India: Bharatnatyam & Punjabi folk songs,
Mexico: Jarabe Tapatio & Mexican hat dance,
Argentina: Zamba & Huayra Muyog
Venzeuala: Joropo
Argentina: Milonga & Tango
India/Pakistan TV show ”USA Desi TV” is being shown on Jadoo and Jalwa TV, they will be introducing a few members of the Dallas/ Fort Worth community and I was featured on it, and they are planning to do a few items on me about Pluralism, Islam, Community Service, Unity Day and little bit about my personal life. It is in Urdu/ Hindi language.
I completely missed out on the luncheon meeting today by the Islamic Speakers Bureau in Richardson. Here is my Muslim Speaker profile; my other profiles are home builder, generic and Pluralism speaker.
http://www.mikeghouse.net/MikeGhouse_MuslimSpeaker_Dallas_Texas_USA.asp
I will be visiting my friend Gary and Linda Evans for a reception on Sunday; Gary is a cancer survivor and has taken him three years to come out of it.
That reminds me of another friend Naved Syed, who has successfully come out of Cancer as well.
My highlight of the week was spending time with my daughter Jazzie, she is amazing to me. Mina, Tamanna, Dilshad and my mother are my favorite women; My Maternal Grandfather visited my mother every Wednesday mornings, he would come straight from the Mosque and sit with my mother for hours while making fruit salads for us kids; My Dad had a special voice for my sister Dilshad, the way he called my sister was filled with tons of affection, although I have not spent much time with Tamanna, I feel she is my 2nd daughter. I have a special boding with Mina,  I like calling her with her name. She joys me up every time I spend time with her… she is an amazing intellect… a self proclaimed Darwinian moving away from being a Baptist and a Lutheran. Two of my thoughts in pluralism came from her viz;’ i) Gee Dad, God can be worshipped in so many ways and ii) The minister has to say his religion is the best, otherwise why would any one want to go to his congregation, greater money is collected with greater number of congregants.
# # #
Mike Ghouse is committed to build a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Carrollton City Muncipal Elections

      Comments Off on Carrollton City Muncipal Elections

I am committed to the well being of our City and will continue to support the efforts in building an exemplary city of peace where no one is apprehensive of the other.

Election season has just begun in North Texas Municipalities and most of the city council elections are scheduled for May and I urge you to participate in the affairs of your City. It is important to seriously take the civic responsibility of choosing your next council person. The future of your city is dependent on the candidates you chose.
I am pleased to be involved with my City, the City of Carrollton in Texas. I delivered the invocation at the City Hall on Tuesday and attended the Candidates forum tonight and hope to participate in the coming forums.
 
The event was hosted by the Metropolitan community Church of Carrollton, a LGBT church and most of the candidates responded fairly well. There was one candidate who was called by his opponent to respond to the anti-GLBT stance his Church had taken in “apparently” calling on the Mayor not to meet with the special interest groups insinuating the GLBT members. Of course, the candidate is not responsible for the actions of others, but members of his Church had “apparently” attempted in vain. However, due to a lack of the follow up format, the candidate did not have the opportunity to disassociate himself with such a stance. There is next time!
The moderator of the event, pastor of the Church deserves appreciation for gracefully moving on to the next topic, when none of the candidates expressed support to pass ordinances in extending the medical benefits to domestic partnerships.
Former Mayor Becky Miller asked my reasons for not endorsing Pravin Desai. I shared my story with her about Bonnie Kaplan whom I am supporting.  Bonnie worked the Carrollton Quilt two years ago doing a real outreach and received participation from diverse Carrolltonians.  I had suggested her that she should run for the council.  Prior to the registration deadline, she asked for support and I gave the commitment, which I had shared with Pravin Desai as well when I met with him.  I wanted transparency and clarity, I am an inclusive person but when a commitment is made, one should stick with it and it should not alter the relationships formed.
Mayor Ron Branson was gracious about my support for Matthew Marchant; it was the same story, commitment made earlier on.
So, I am asking the candidate to make their call today to make it easy on the voters like me.  We all are friendly people in Carrollton and we care about each other.
The old saying, “early bird gets the worm” holds good in this election and it is as simple as that. No candidate can really turn the city upside down but certainly can take the initiatives to bring positive things.  All of you are great candidates. 
A few of the long time residents of Carrollton are apprehensive about the new demographics and the changing ethnicities with Transport oriented developments and they legitimately harbor phobias about the future make up of “their” city.  On the other hand people from different ethnicities, faith traditions and GLBT orientation are apprehensive about the old attitudes of some in “their” newly chosen City. As responsible members of the society, we have to mitigate the apprehensions and nurture goodwill. It is our City, your City, my City and every one’s City.
I ask all of you to write an essay in about 250 words about your efforts in building a cohesive Carrollton, where no citizen is excluded” and write about your outreach efforts on your job, your past or whatever you have done.  
When I receive your op-ed, I will share it here at the http://carrolltondiary.blogspot.com/  and will mail out to my huge mailing list of Carrolltonians.
You are welcome to write you comments in the blog for publication, personal attacks will be deleted.
Mayoral candidates:
Branson, Ron – http://www.runwithron.net/ 
Marchant, Matthew  – http://www.matthewmarchant.com/ 
Place 2:
Desai, Pravin – http://www.electpravindesai.com/
Kaplan, Bonnie – http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Kaplan-for-Carrollton/158601764196487
Wilder Anthony – http://www.wilderforcarrollton.com/
Place 4:
Henesey, Cathy – http://www.cathyforcarrollton.com/
Garza, Bob – www.
Patel, Tino – www.
Wright, Terry – www.
# ##
Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions to media and the public on issues of the day and is available to speak at your place of worship, work, seminars and conferences. He is a speaker thinker and a writer on the topics of pluralism, cohesive societies, Islam, interfaith, India and peace.
The Foundation for Pluralism champions the idea of co-existence by respecting and accepting the otherness of other and World Muslim Congress is committed to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam. His work is reflected in 4 website’s and 27 Blogs at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Interfaith Dialogue on the Bus

      Comments Off on Interfaith Dialogue on the Bus
http://nabsites.net/demo/interfaith-dialogue-on-bus/
Wednesday, April 06, 2011 – 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM

A group of 10 Muslim Imams and Scholars are visiting Dallas and I was with them on the bus touring today in Fort Worth.  Here is a brief update:

I was with them from 2:00 PM through 1:00 AM and it was exciting to see the trends in pluralism and their (human) desire to co-exists,  and it was a delight to learn about their efforts in working that up.

If were to summarize it in a few words; I wish the media focuses on the obessision and commonality of the right wingers, be it in America or Chad, Afghanistan or Dutch, Brazil or Taiwan… they are bent on dominating and oddly they accuse the other of the same which they are guilty of.  The rise and fall of right wingers is a subject I would like the media to cover.

The 10 Imams/Scholars and people in influential position have the same issues as we do in America, the moderates are being pushed around and shamelessly they keep cushioning the abuse giving the false myth a currency,  that the right is right or the might is right. Those men and women were actually using the word Pluralism quite extensively. I am reluctant to call it a conflict between the moderate majority and the tiny weeny right wing minority, because if the majority does not have balls to stand up to do the right wingers then it is not a conflict. And ofcourse unlike the “me and me” right wingers the “we and us” moderates are not assertive enough to do the good things.

The public on the other hands funds, donates the ones who create division and pitch one against the others, like the Fox news, the right wing republicans and a host of them. When will be see the truth that our monies are doing harm to the cohesive fabric of the society?
Here was my plan and  I will update the full report later at  http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/ and http://www.worldmuslimcongress.org/ and http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/ 

PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVES
·      To review the moral and philosophical basis of religious life in the U.S.
·      The historic origins of religious freedom in the U.S
·      To examine the interplay between religion and U.S. politics; and
·      To explore religious education in the U.S.
We will not be able to cover all the topics on the bus; however, I can give a quick review of the following in the given time and would like you to choose the topics from the list below.  Any question about America, Pluralism and Islam are welcome.
PROGRAM OUTLINES
  1. Welcome
  2. Interfaith/ Pluralism Greetings
  3. Origins of Interfaith
  1. The issues in America and what are we doing about it.
    1. Quraan Conference  
    2. Quraan burning
    3. The Ground Zero Mosque
    4. Sharia Laws
    5. Pluralism and Prophet Muhammad the Peace Maker
    6. Cartoons/ humility
    7. Origins of Islamophobia are political and 2 Wrong translations of Quraan
    8. What are Muslims doing about building cohesive Societies
                     i.      Unity Day
                     ii.      Reflections on Holocaust & Genocides
                    iii.      Thanksgiving Celebrations
                    iv.      GLBT
                    v.      Anti-Semitism
                   vi.      Islamophobia
                   vii.      Women’s rights
  1. Great things about United States
    1. First Amendment –
    2. Minority Rights
    3. Hope for every human/ A sense of security
    4. You can be who you want to be.
    5. Free Speech
  1. The issues we see in the Middle East
    1. Minority Rights
    2. Radical Sermons
    3. Not hear good things you are doing.
    4. The role of OIC – Rashad Hussain
    5. Apostasy
    6. Blasphemy
    7. Women’s rights
    8. Pluralism
TOPICS
Overview
1.      Prophet Muhammad the peace Maker
2.      Quraan Conference
3.      Quraan burning
4.      Ground Zero Mosque
5.      Sharia Laws
6.      Cartoons/ humility
7.      Minority Rights
8.      Islamophobia and origins
Mike’s bio:  http://www.mikeghouse.net/MikeGhouse_MuslimSpeaker_Dallas_Texas_USA.asp
Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions to media and the public on issues of the day and is available to speak at your place of worship, work, seminars and conferences. He is a speaker thinker and a writer on the topics of pluralism, cohesive societies, Islam, interfaith, India and peace.

The Foundation for Pluralism champions the idea of co-existence by respecting and accepting the otherness of other and World Muslim Congress is committed to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam. His work is reflected in 4 website’s and 27 Blogs at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

References can be found in the following sites:

ISLAM
To be a Muslim is to be a peacemaker, one who seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for peaceful co-existence.
Mission
http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/WorldMuslimCongress/Articles/Mission-Statement.asp
World Muslim Congress
This site chronicles events that affect co-existence and offers solutions to build cohesive societies. http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/ 
Quraan Today –
Offers information that nurtures the values of pluralism in Quraan. http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/  
Quraan Conference
The holy book is about living in harmony with free will, there are mis-translations and mis-interpretations that are addressed, and it will done by non-Muslim clergy from all faiths.  http://www.quraanconference.com/   
Muslim Women
Without any reserve men and women have equal rights in Quraan and Islam, even a few Muslims have misunderstood the value Islam places on justness and fairness.
http://muslimwomenandmen.blogspot.com/  
Ramadan Exclusive
What is Ramadan? Visiting different Mosques and cherishing different practices of all denominations of Muslims.   http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/  
Sharia Laws
Defined in lay persons language and easy to understand the personal path of living a righteous life and the public Sharia that governs relationships between individuals and the society like the civil laws.  http://sharialaws.blogspot.com/  
Blasphemy Laws
Quraan prohibits judgment, prejudice is discouraged and there is no punishment for the ones who maligns God or his prophet. It is a political tool of oppression by right wingers among Muslims. http://blasphemylaws.blogspot.com/  
Muslim Press Releases http://muslimpressrelease.blogspot.com/  
Dallas Muslim Center http://dallasMuslimCenter.blogspot.com  
Ground Zero Mosque
The full story of the mosque with 60 plus articles and videos exploring the politics of it.  http://groundzeromosque.blogspot.com/   
Peter King Hearings
We welcomed it, let’s put all the things on the table and once for all clear it up.  http://www.peterkinghearings.blogspot.com/

PLURALISM

Our mission is to encourage individuals to develop an open mind and an open heart toward their fellow beings.

Wisdom of Religion  Master site on Pluralism, it is all about co-existence. No religion is above the other.   http://wisdomofReligion.blogspot.com
 
Holocaust and Genocides   http://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com/
Unityday USA   http://911unitydayusa.blogspot.com/
Thanksgiving   http://thanksgivingcelebrations.blogspot.com/
Hate Sermons  http://hatesermons.blogspot.com/
Terrorism counter   http://terrorismcounter.blogspot.com/
Pluralism Questions  http://pluralismquestions.blogspot.com/
Dallas Interfaith Center   http://dallasinterfaithcenter.blogspot.com/
Ground Zero Mosque  http://groundzeromosque.blogspot.com/
Peter King Hearings   http://www.peterkinghearings.blogspot.com/
 
Quraan Conference  http://www.quraanconference.com/


MIKE GHOUSE
PROFILE
A conflict mitigater &  a goodwill nurturer* Mike Ghouse is a speaker on Pluralism and Islam offering pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. His work is reflected at three websites & twenty two Blogs listed at http://www.MikeGhouse.net/
Websites
www.WorldMuslimCongress.com
www.Foundationforpluralism.com
www.AmericaTogetherFoundation.com
www.IslamtogetherFoundation.com
Ghouse Tweets
250 Word Statements on issues of the day
 http://Ghousetweets.blogspot.com
 
Ghouse Diary
Everything that I write goes here first, like a first draft
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com
Standing up for others
Why should you stand up for others, almost every one. I have done to back up what I preach. http://www.mikeghouse.net/Standing.up.for.others.asp
 
CIVIC SITES
Americans together www.AmericaTogetherFoundation.com
 
Israel Palestine dialogue
http://israel-palestine-dialogue.blogspot.com/
 
Media Screw upshttp://mediamuddles.blogspot.com/
 
Mike Ghouse for America
 http://mikeghouseforamerica.blogspot.com/

My additional profile as a Muslim speaker :
http://www.mikeghouse.net/MikeGhouse_MuslimSpeaker_Dallas_Texas_USA.asp

Prayers at Carrollton City Council

      Comments Off on Prayers at Carrollton City Council

http://nabsites.net/demo/prayers-at-carrollton-city-counci/
Invocation prayers at Carrollton City Council

7:00 PM, Tuesday, April 05, 2011
A Carrollton tradition
By Mike Ghouse, Pluralist
# # #
Dear Friends,
The following is an inclusive prayer called the prayer of Pluralism, indeed, Carrollton is only City in the United States where inclusiveness is appreciated and this is the 9th time in the last four years. We are committed to building a cohesive Carrollton.

Let’s reflect, wish and pray:

Creator of the universe
Please accept our gratitude in every name we call upon you; Manito,  Yahweh, Elahi, Ishwar, Allah, Mahavira, Buddha, Wahe Guru, Ahura Mazda, mother earth and Jesus Christ.  

In your name we want to create a cohesive Carrollton, with care kindness and dignity to every one of the 122,000 residents of this beautiful City.  

Dear God,

Guide our Mayor and the council to serve us with integrity and honesty;
Guide us to serve our communities with the spirit of volunteerism;
Guide us to do the right thing every moment of our life;
Guide us to open our hearts and minds toward our fellow beings;
Guide us to shed the arrogance in us, and enrich us with humility
Guide us to become conflict mitigaters and goodwill nurturers.

Dear God,
Protect our men and women in uniforms committed to our safety and well being.
Help us learn to respect the uniqueness you have blessed to each one of the 122,000 of us in Carrollton,
And help us learn to respect everywhich way one worships you.
In your name, we bow to you.
Amen.
Pictures:
Video:
 # # #
 Mike Ghouse, President of America Together foundation is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day, and is available to speak at your place of worship, work or in seminars and conferences. He is a speaker thinker and a writer on the topics of pluralism, cohesive societies, Islam, interfaith, India and Peace.
The Foundation for Pluralism champions the idea of co-existence by respecting and accepting the otherness of other; and World Muslim Congress is committed to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam. His work is reflected in 4 website’s and 27 Blogs at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

First Amendment, the secular and religious organizations

      Comments Off on First Amendment, the secular and religious organizations
http://nabsites.net/demo/first-amendment-secular-and-religious/
Dallas Morning News – http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/04/texas-faith-does-special-legal.html
Religious Organizations must be held to the same standards as the secular organizations in terms of employment and accountability to the public. They must be subjected to audit of the policies as well, then the questions of exceptions will dwindle and a sense of clarity will emerge. We have to rise above our own petty agendas for the overall good of America, in our case and formulate policies that treat every one justly.
The employment situation with religious organizations does bring up issues in selection of the candidates; almost all the religious and secular organizations circumvent it by narrowing the criteria. In the coming years that may be tested out if the unemployment rates become unmanageable.
We have to consider the qualifications and nature of Job but that will begin the process of splitting hair and creates more conflicts and butting into the internal affairs of a religious organization.  What happens to equal opportunity employment laws, where does it stop?
Religion is like the nuclear power which can be beneficent in the hands of the righteous ones and destructive in the other.
A few religious organizations have refused to volunteer serving food to the homeless because the facility was managed by a Gay pastor.  How far can it go? Refuse to serve people who do not believe like you do? Is it our responsibility to prevent abuse of the scriptures to fit group’s agenda?  Should the majority ideas be forced on those who differ?  We should not forget the genesis of religions be it Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism or any ism, it always started as minority opinion and practices and because of their universal appeal it became a majority on a voluntary basis in their respective regions, should that makes us arrogant ?

There are some good examples as well, there is an Islamic school in Mumbai India, where some of the teachers are Hindus and they wear the full Hijab while on the school premises. There is another Madrassa in Bengal where Hindu Children are enrolling to learn about Islam, what if they remain Hindus and want to preach Islam? John Esposito is one of the most respected scholars on Islam in America, he is a devout Catholic, and he must have an equal opportunity to run Islamic Organizations, should he not?

Building cohesive societies to function smoothly and bring productivity to every human should be our civic responsibility.  Wasn’t that the call of Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, Krishna, Bahaullah, Nanak and others to create the kingdom of heaven? Didn’t they want societies where no one had to live with apprehension of others?
The world has indeed become a global community. Everyone is a neighbor to everyone else; we aspire to nurture the concept of good neighborliness in the world. The advisory board for World Muslim Congress will be represented by individuals from every faith. It is time for us to be equal citizens of one world; our home. This is a major paradigm shift in how the religious organizations would be conducting their business in the coming years.
# # #
Mike Ghouse, President of America Together foundation is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day, and is available to speak at your place of worship, work or in seminars and conferences. He is a speaker thinker and a writer on the topics of pluralism, cohesive societies, Islam, interfaith, India and Peace.
The Foundation for Pluralism champions the idea of co-existence by respecting and accepting the otherness of other, and World Muslim Congress is committed to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam. His work is reflected in 4 website’s and 27 Blogs at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Ghouse diary for the week ending April 3, 2011

      Comments Off on Ghouse diary for the week ending April 3, 2011
http://nabsites.net/demo/ghouse-diary-for-week-ending-april-3/

Monday Humor and Personal Anecdotes
A cannibal was walking through the jungle and came upon a restaurant operated by a fellow cannibal. Feeling somewhat hungry, he sat down and looked over the menu.
+ Tourist: $5.00
+ Broiled Missionary: $10.00
+ Fried Explorer:$15.00
+Baked Democrat or Grilled Republican:$100.00
The cannibal called the waiter over and asked,
“Why such a high price for the Politicians?”
The cook replied, “Have you ever tried to clean one of those things?
IDENTIFYING INDIAN, PAKISTANI, BANGLADESHI, NEPALI AND SRI LANKAN CITIES
———— ——— ——— ——— –
Scenario 1
Two guys are fighting and a third guy comes along, sees them and walks on.
That’s MUMBAI
———— ——— ——— ——— –
Scenario 2
Two guys are fighting. Both of them take time out and call their friends on their mobiles.
Now 50 guys are fighting.
You are definitely in PUNJAB !!!
———— ——— ——— ——— –
Scenario 3
Two guys are fighting and a third guy comes along and tries to make peace. The first two get together and beat him up.
That’s DELHI
——— ——— ——— –
Scenario 4
Two guys are fighting.
A crowd gathers to watch. A guy comes along and quietly opens a Chai-stall (like lemonade stand)
That’s AHMEDABAD
———— ——— ——— ——— –
Scenario 5
Two guys are fighting and a third guy comes.
He writes a software program to stop the fight. But the fight doesn’t stop because of a virus in the program.
That’s BANGALORE
——— ——— ——— –
Scenario 6
Two guys are fighting. A crowd gathers to watch.
A guy comes along and quietly says that “AMMA” doesn’t like all this nonsense. Peace settles in…
That’s CHENNAI
———— ——— ——— ——— –
Scenario 7
Two guys are fighting and a third guy comes along, then a fourth and they start arguing about who’s right.
You are in KOLKATA
———— ——— ——— ——— –
Scenario 8
Two guys are fighting. Third guy comes from nearby house and says, “don’t fight in front of my place, go zumwhere yelse and kyeep fighting”.  
That’s KERALA !
———— ——— ——— ——— –

It two guys are courteous to each other and each one wants the other to step into the train first as respect and in that first you, first you, pahlay aap, pahlay aap, the train takes off
You are in Lucknow !!!
———— ——— ——— ——— –

and the best one is ….
Scenario 9
Two guys are fighting. Third guy comes along with a carton of beer. All sit together drinking beer and abusing each other and all go home as friends.
You are in GOA !!!
———— ——— ——— ——— –
If it is Tuesday, it mut be Belgium
———— ——— ——— ——— – 
NOW IT IS YOUR TURN,
What is your City like?
What is it like to be in Hyderabad, Patna, Sri Nagar, Lahore, Karachi, Multan, Islamabad, Dhaka, Colombo, Manipur, and Kathmandu?
———— ——— ——— ——— –
My week in a glimpse, week ending Sunday, April 3, 2011.
Last week was great; Yasmeen and I celebrated our anniversary in the smoky mountains.

Visited my friend Mr. DD Maini (86), he and I connect like father and son. He is heading to India to Haridwar, a sacred place on the Ganges where he will take a dip in the holy water and I was thrilled to hear him say that he will do one dubki (dunking) for Yasmeen and I as well. He and I watched the last part of one of the greatest Cricket matches in 28 years leading India to victory.  India won the World Cup in Cricket playing against Sri Lanka. My enthusiasm is uncontainable, and I am pleased to have contributed towards the development of Cricket in North Texas.  I enjoyed it very much.
Shame on me, I have not visited my friend Everett Blauvelt, I hold him high like my Dad. He and Mr. Maini are very affectionate and caring human beings, both are over 85, Everett just turned 96. When I get back in town, that is the first thing I will do, visit them. When I talk with them, the are aware of everything I do… and that is amazing and I hope, I will retain that consciousness when I hit their age, and if I did.
Enjoyed the Kavi Sammelan (Poetry recitation in Hindi Language) it was humor packed and those guys made us laugh non-stop for three hours. I am life member of the International Hindi Association and it’s great to be a part of it. I must mention here one particular thing; that just about every program that India Association organizes and Hindi Samit does, it starts on time and ends right on time… a few people were leaving early despite requests from the Kavis to hang on for a few more minutes… they said they will close at 11:15, by God, it was 11:15. The program ended with a beautiful rendering… Mera pyara Hindustan..   
Yasmeen was delirious; she was so excited to reconnect with her college friends from Dow Medical College, one is in Muscat and the other in Pakistan. She was literally on cloud 9 and I was happy to see her in that mode.
Richardson Faith Club meets once a month to exchange different thoughts on Faith issues, the topic this Sunday was sharing one’s spiritual experiences.  I shared my mine of getting baptized at the River Jordan in the spot where Jesus was baptized. It is quite a transformative experience. Please don’t jump to immature conclusions, (ask me before you engage in gossip) I am a Muslim and being a Muslim does not contradict experiencing the universality and the essence of prophetic traditions. 
It was a joy for the people in the bus and my delight that the Imams who were on the bus followed me in the ritual, all of us were wearing the white robes (sort of what one wears during Hajj) and walking into the river and getting dunked by a Methodist Pastor. God is universal; he is neither a Hindu, nor a Muslim, Christian or a Sikh…  all religions are an expression of his love for his creation no matter where you live, he has reached you, no one is deprived of his blessings and his messengers.
I was thrilled to meet with Sultan Shahin, editor of New Age Islam from New Delhi, I went to see him for an hour and ended up spending seven hours, he is committed to enlightenment … we had incredible similarities on our take on Islam and the role of Muslims in the world; to be contributors towards peace and prosperity of humanity. Both of us are committed to nurturing the pluralistic values embedded in Islam.  It was a joy to connect with him and hope to work with him in organizing an international conference on hearing each other and caring for the planet.  

 

My new part time business is slowly growing; I have not given much time to it, but it is growing.  I am looking forward to adding a healthy stream of income in the coming months.  There are some good investment properties on the market now.
Be ready for the biggest Unity Day celebration ever, I am determined to gather 1000 people including at least 20 Mayors, fire and Police Chiefs and state representatives and pull my Republican and Democrat congress persons together as a part of the unity. Every religion, ethnicity and race will be represented at the event. You must join us on 9.11.11 www.Unitydayusa.com If you know any one who can sponsor parts or part of full event, Please let me know. This is a moment to cherish, it is our contribution to our nation – to forge unity among people for a safe and secure America. I am looking forward to committed volunteers. 
# # #
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer. He is committed to building a cohesive America through the America Together Foundation.  The Foundation for Pluralism champions the idea of co-existence through respecting and accepting the otherness of other, and World Muslim Congress is committed to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam.

Mike is available to speak on Pluralism, Islam, Civil Societies, and Peace & Justice at your work place, place of worship, school, seminars or conferences.  He is a media commentator offering pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. 

Mike’s work is reflected at three websites & twenty two Blogs listed at http://www.MikeGhouse.net/

Palestinian Non-Violent movement

      Comments Off on Palestinian Non-Violent movement
http://nabsites.net/demo/palestinian-non-violent-movemen/

Although the right wing Jewish and Palestinians may favor the two nation solution, it needs to be debated and all parties need to understand that, we cannot live in silos, eventually there will be larger federations in the Middle East of the likes of the European Union, a dream piped in by a few about the Subcontinent. A similar ideas was floated and executed 64 years ago resulting in India and Pakistan and it is an emotional drag on both people.

The nation of Israel exists and the Islamic nations or the future Muslim majority democracies around need to acknowledge endorse and establish diplomatic relations and to pave the way for stability in their neighborhoods.
The official Recognition of Israel by the Muslim majority nations is in the best interests of the actual Palestinians and the Israelis.
The stand taken by the right wing Israelis and Jews, the right wing Palestinians and Muslims has not produced results for either people.  We need to wash off the old mindset that has not worked in 63 years.
They are going through difficult times and are motivated by their security needs over the need to seek peace in the long haul and obviously patience is in short supply but score keeping is intense like two year old siblings.
It pains me to see the Palestinians languishing in squalor and camps for over three generations without an official national identity, shame on our civilization to have let our biases deprive them of the very basic human rights.   
One needs to understand the anti-Israeli sentiments as well, they see the Goliath running over the Palestinian David’s with sling shots, but to find long term solutions one must understand the security needs of the Jewish people. Both people are driven by security, not military security but the sense of living without apprehension.   The Jewish people have endured this pain of homelessness for over 3 thousand years.
We have to give the sense of security to the Jewish people and full hope and security to the Palestinians.  Recognition is one step that will break the camels back towards a better future.
I welcome the new peaceful non-violent movement to bring a positive change for the both the Palestinians and Israelis. What is good for one has got to be good for the other to sustain.
# # #
Mike Ghouse, President of America Together foundation is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day, and is available to speak at your place of worship, work or in seminars and conferences. He is a speaker thinker and a writer on the topics of pluralism, cohesive societies, Islam, interfaith, India and Peace. His work is reflected in websites and Blogs listed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/
Reference: A New Palestinian Movement: Young, Networked, Nonviolent
By Joe Klein Thursday, Mar. 31, 2011

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2062308,00.html?artId=2062308?contType=article?chn=us