This was one of the most momentous weeks of my life, I have endured three peace giving events three days in a row. I want to thank each one of my friends for being with me in those precious moments. Thank you for your friendship.

May 22nd – Friday
Prayed and paid respect to my late wife Najma on the morning of her death anniversary. My friend Yasmeen and I visited the cemetery and placed a bouquet of Roses on Najma’s resting place. May her soul rest in peace. http://www.mikeghouse.net/Articles/Life-is-a-poem-of-love.asp

May 23rd – Saturday
My Son Jeff married Fern, it was one of the most beautiful moments of my life, we held a reception for the couple in the evening and shared some Indian traditions. Celebrating Jeff and Fern Ghouse’s wedding –http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157618797747822/show/

May 24th – Sunday
Yasmeen and I are engaged now. We are pleased to have the blessings of family and friends on this occassion and now pleased to share it with out friends at large.http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157618725112511/show/

Mike

Face book is a market place which is open and free to individuals who want to be a part of it. I have friends who have no more than 10 friends and they are content with it, and some of them are fully into with over 5000 friends.

It is like a clothing store, a grocery store, or a book store where you can choose to buy a book about sex or Bible or chance on meeting a person of opposite gender who may become a life partner or a killer. The choice is yours.

You tell your friends to abstain from going to prostitutes, drinking Alcohol or smoking…. as they all have health hazards or social, cultural or religious bans. Some do it regardless and most don’t.

Let the Imams discuss the possible temptations and good things of being on the face book or being on the street open to good, bad or ugly. You cannot ban some thing that also produces good. There is no compulsion in the matters of faith, as they don’t work. Ultimately individuals are responsible for what they do; No Imam, Rabbi, Pundit or Pastor is responsible for individual’s action.

Mike Ghouse
# # #

Imams OK Facebook, but no flirting!
22 May, 2009, 1729 hrs IST,AP

Print Email Discuss Share Save Comment Text:

SURABAYA: Muslim clerics debating the exploding popularity of Facebook in Indonesia said Friday that followers could use the networking site to co nnect with friends or for work — but not to gossip or flirt.

The nonbinding ruling followed a two-day meeting of clerics in the world’s most populous Muslim nation. Around 700 clerics, or imams, agreed to draft up guidelines on surfing the Web after receiving complaints about Facebook and other sites, including concerns they encourage illicit sex, said Nabil Haroen, a spokesman for the organizers.

They decided “Facebook is haram (or forbidden) if it is used for gossiping and spreading lies,” he said, and that users also could not ask overtly intimate questions or in anyway encourage “vulgar behavior.” But the clerics noted, too, there were many upsides to Facebook and other trendy, new forms of communication, from mobile phone text messaging to video conferencing.

It has become easier today for the young to connect, the imams’ 300-word edict said, “erasing space and time constraints” and making it possible for couples to get to know — before they get married — if they really are well-suited.

Facebook had no immediate comment Friday, but said ahead of the ruling that people typically use the site to connect with their friends, family or learn about local and world issues and events.
“We have seen many people and organizations use Facebook to advance a positive agenda,” said Debbie Frost, a Facebook spokeswoman.

Indonesia is a secular nation of 235 million people, 90 percent of whom are Muslim, and Facebook is the top-ranked site in the country, beating out even search engines Yahoo and Google.

Though an edict by the clerics does not carry any legal weight, it could be endorsed by the influential Ulema Council, which recently issued rulings against smoking and yoga. Some devout Muslims adhere to the council’s rulings because ignoring a fatwa, or religious decree, is considered a sin.

Jim Douglas,
WFAA TV, DallasDear Jim,

Thanks for reporting this, I would have appreciated some boldness to it, but as a veteran journalist, you did the right thing; to report and leave the opinion forming to the public.

We met several times, but the last one was at a breakfast meeting I conducted for a Saudi Commerce Minister at Crescent Hotel on interfaith – I brought together 5 each of Muslims, Jews, Christians and others.

We have our own Bin-Ladens amongst us; they are Dorrie O’Brien, Republican Congressman Tancredo, Farmers Branch’s Tim O’Hare, Pat Roberston and a few others. But for the laws of our country, these men are potential threat to peace; they are bent on Bombing Mecca, Assasinating Foriegn leaders and so on…

They are committed to divide America into “they” v. “us”, the “us” being a few extremists who pay them or applaud their baseless hate mongering speeches. They are and no more than a 1% of the Republicans and shamefully, the party is figuring out where it is going…and these American Versions of Bin Ladens are making leadership claims among Republicans, just as Bin Laden claimed among Muslims. Both the majorities were silent and see what we are getting. We have to bring sense to the public.

Whether they are Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Jews or whoever, a story about Hate Sermons (http://hatesermons.blogspot.com ) is the calling of the day, in the same manner Christiana Amanpour did the Scream Bloody Murder series. They all preach hate from their pulpits or allow guys to spew hate from a pulpit they are to sermonize peace. We need the public to see how hate can damage our nation, how some of these men are feeding the non-thinkers. The days of Limbaugh’s are over, his support base will be gone as people cannot be duped into believing propaganda.

I can make a documentary on it, or assist you in making it. I can write the script – it will be equal opportunity and pluralistic documentary – As a Muslim, I am committed to mitigating conflicts and nurturing goodwill for peaceful co-existence of societies. My life time work is dedicated to this purpose.

Let me know.

Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net
www.FoundationforPluralism.com
www.WorldMuslimCongress.com
(214) 325-1916

Mike Ghouse is a Dallas based Writer, Blogger, Speaker, Thinker and a Moderator. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television networks offering pluralistic perspectives on issues of the day. His comments, news analysis and op-ed columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal site.

In a message dated 5/14/2009 6:10:19 P.M. Central Daylight Time, kavalec@gmail.com writes:
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Sarwat Husain <sarwat@nazirh.com>
Date: Wed, May 13, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Subject: Republican-Muslim ‘humiliated’ by group’s message
To: American Muslim Democratic Caucus <american-muslim-democrats@googlegroups.com>

Tarrant County
Republican-Muslim ‘humiliated’ by group’s message
12:59 AM CDT on Monday, May 11, 2009
By JIM DOUGLAS / WFAA-TV

Also Online

LINK: Act for America

Many North Texas Muslims and some Republican Party officials have expressed offense towards a program that’s drawing crowds at some Republican clubs.

Traveling across the country, the program warns of a stealth Jihad within the United States. While some consider the message prudent, others say it’s just about hate.

Muslims packed a mosque in south Arlington for Friday prayers. Inside, the imam switches back and forth from Arabic to English. But, a Republican precinct judge, Dorrie O’Brien, is crisscrossing Tarrant County to spread a message that he believes something more might be more going on than prayer.

At a meeting at a Fort Worth restaurant, O’Brien warned North Texans to beware of stealth Mujahidee manipulating the media, infiltrating the military and running for public office.

Jamal Qaddura, a Republican precinct chair, shot video of O’Brien’s speech.

“[The] Quran demands believers wage Jihad against the infidel, again, everybody who isn’t Muslim,” O’Brien is captured telling the north Tarrant County Republican club. “… A grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying the western civilization from within.”

O’Brien is a local representative for a Florida-based group called “Act for America,” which warns that Muslims want to undermine the United States government.

In his message, he said he believes there is “a stealth Jihad in the United States guided by the Muslim Brotherhood.” The Muslim Brotherhood is a large international organization based in Egypt that supports creating Islamic states.

“I’m not aware of anybody in the United States here who is with the Muslim Brotherhood,” said Qaddura, who enlisted Tarrant County Medical Examiner Nizam Peerwani to give a rebuttal.

“I was humiliated and degraded,” he said of O’Brien’s message.

Qaddura said he was shocked to hear O’Brien’s message, which included warnings that “Islam permits the killing of innocent people.”

“And this is what the ultimate goal is is to replace the United States’ flag and the United States’ government with the half moon and the star,” O’Brien said.

Qaddura said the messages prey on fears, which have a way of spreading and doing a lot of harm.

“This is a good community,” he said. “We are Texans, and Texans don’t put up with that stuff.”

E-mail jdouglas@wfaa.com

WHICH GIVES MORE FREEDOM, LOVE OR HATE?

A happy event will be long forgotten, several such good things happen in a day. However, one incidence studded with ill-intent will not going away for years. Each time you see that person, hear that name, you cringe. Isn’t hate and binding? We need to free ourselves from and move on with life. Let’s be the conflict mitigators and goodwill nurturers.

May you be free for your own peace.

Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net
www.FoundationforPluralism.com
www.WorldMuslimCongress.com
(214) 325-1916

Mike Ghouse is a Dallas based Writer, Blogger, Speaker, Thinker, Moderator and a peace maker. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television networks offering pluralistic perspectives on issues of the day. His comments, news analysis and op-ed columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal site.

11:00 AM, Sunday, May 3, 2009
Talk on : Religion, Islam and Sunni/Shia Muslims
Unity Church,
Coit Road, Richardson
Pastor: Chuck
__________________It was a pleasure to be a part of speakers on different faith at Unity Church, folks there are representative of Moderate Americans, like the Moderate Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Bahais, Buddhists and others who simply want to get along with all and beleive in live and let live.

My topic was on Islam with a focus on the difference between Shia and Sunni traditions.

Here was my program and if time permits, will elaborate on each one of the items.

CREATION

Regardless of Evolution or Creation
Life and matter came into being, we exist, don’t we?
Life and matter is about balance; every thing that came out of the big bang theory or through intentional creation seeks its own balance. Everything be it matter or life, has a built-in mechanism to seeks its own balance.When it comes to matter, there is something that keeps the planets circumambulating around the Sun, that there is something that keeps the stars hung in a place. There is something that keeps the earth have its own precise balance. They are all put on a trajectory, they don’t have to think or work for the balance. Do we have a precise word to describe that ‘something‘? For the sake of convenience, let’s call that ‘something’ a God?

BALANCE

Unlike the matter, human life was not put on a trajectory; we were not put on a plan to circumambulate around the Sun, or be hung in one place. We were given the freedom to create our own balance. Whether we believe in God or not, we still seek that balance.Friends, God loves his creation just as each one of us loves what we create, be it the food we cook, the clothes we wear, the paintings we paint or sculptures we sculpt.

God has reached out to every soul… a Just God Existence is based on solutions, when things to go wrong in a discussion group…. There is always one who fixes it..

ORIGINS OF RELIGION

It is the love of the creator that gave each one of us, each community, each nation and each tribe a “formula” to live in peace within ourselves and with what surround us.

God communicated that formula through the spiritual masters in the form of scriptures like Torah, Bible, Qur’aan, Bhagvad Gita, Avesta and other scriptures including the oral traditions.
Indeed, God has reached to every one of us and has offered that formula – to seek a balance for ourselves and a balance for what surrounds us; life and the environment.

Krishna says…….
Quraan says in 49:17
God is about love, kindness and justice.

RELIGION DEFINED

God has indeed reached every one of us and has offered that formula – to seek a balance for ourselves and a balance for what surrounds us; life and the environment.The bottom line is Balance.

If we were to commission Mr. Spock from the movie Star Trek and ask him to study the essence of religion.. He would define;

Religion is a mechanism where individuals find answers to their fears and apprehensions with a belief in a super being. Answers what happens to justice, when it is not served in our life time.
Every Religion teaches one to have a balance within oneself and what surrounds; life and matter.

TO BE RELIGIOUS

To be religious Is to mitigate conflicts and nurture good will.
Nature is intentionally diverse, remember each aspect of creation is different, if we can accept the otherness of the other, and respect the God given uniqueness of each one of the seven billion of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge..

And that would be a peaceful abode on the earth.. That is when we can say that the world is one place; one nation; and one people. Again, we have to accept the otherness of other and respect the uniqueness of the other.

To be spiritual or to be religious is to mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill.

———————–
ISLAM

Earlier on I said, God has reached out to every living soul and, through the Spiritual masters who delivered a formula to live in peace with oneself and with what surrounds; life and matter.
Islam fits right-in along with other formulas, each formula, each religion is valid on its own.
Muslims do not consider Islam to be a new religion, they believe it is continuation of what God had suggested to different people in different places. What Abraham, Moses, David and several others taught was updated and given to Muhammad.

His message was simple – Belief in God and Justice is the basis for creating peaceful societies.

ISLAM DEFINED
In one word it is Justice.

When there is justice, there will be a sense of safety and peace. If no one takes advantage of other, one feels safe and secure… that generates peace and goodwill.

If there is justice between spouses, family members, communities and nations, the peace is certain. God does not want any thing more; he wants his creation to live in peace and harmony.
When Justice is compromised for our own selfish reasons, the balance gets affected.. The oppressed and the oppressor will not have peace for a while… they both are afraid of their own conscience or what other might do to them.

ESSENCE OF ISLAM

The essence of Islam: Justice for every human being under one God (Universe is the only creation we know)

The Qur’aan starts with the word “God of Universe” (not necessarily Muslims) and ends with “Humankind” (and again not Muslims). As such it is understood that God, the cause behind creation of life and matter belongs to all of us. No one owns him (her or it) nor does one group has an exclusive favors over the other.

The creator is about Justice and Balance…will offer equal opportunities to all.
God will not sign a deal with any religious group behind our backs; who wants a God like that?

GOOD DEEDS:

Islam teaches one to be non-judgmental, and consistently encourages individuals to do good. It emphasizes about individual responsibility towards the peace and security of society at large.
Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) described a good deed as an act which benefits others, such as planting a tree that serves generations of wayfarers with fruit and the shade.

The world is a better place today because of a good legacy bequeathed to humanity by people of all faiths that came before us. We owe it to coming generations to leave the world a little better than we found it, to usher an era of justice and peace.

ORIGINS OF ISLAM

Technically Islam is not a new religion, nor was it ever claimed. Prophet Muhammad said It is a continuation of what Abraham, Krishna, Buddha, Jesus and other great spiritual masters taught.
However Islam as a distinct identifiable religion began in 712 AD, when Muhammad received a revelation from God that, it is his duty now to go and let the world know about an eternal God, who cannot be confined into images or words or gender or a being. Prophet Muhammad was the messenger of that message.
There is only one truth – we were all caused by a single event, or created by God, when God said “let it happen, it happened.”

UNIVERSALITY

The essence of Islam: Creating a Just society. (Universe is the only creation we know)
The Qur’aan starts with the word الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ Sura Al-Fatiha 1:2 All praise is due to God alone, the Sustainer of all the worlds, “God of Universe” (not an exclusive)
and ends with قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ (114:1) An-Nas (The Mankind) 114:1 SAY: “I seek refuge with the Sustainer of men, “Humankind” (and again not Muslims).
It is understood that God, the cause behind creation of life and matter belongs to all of us. No one owns him (her or it) nor does one group has an exclusive favors over the other. The creator will offer equal opportunities to all and will not sign a deal behind one’s back with the other.

WITH PREJUDICE TOWARDS NONE

Almost all Muslims are cognizant and repeat the verse مَـالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ (1:4) Al-Fatiha – Lord of the Day of Judgment! مَـالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ (1:4)
“God is the master of the Day of Judgment, and he alone we worship”. A fully observant Muslim recites this verse at least 50 times a day.
The idea is to inculcate the values to accept the otherness of other and refrains from judging others, as he or she believes God only can make that call.
There is no compulsion in the matters of faith, say the Qur’aan.

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY

Islam emphasizes on Individual responsibility for one’s words and actions.
Prophet’s comment to his daughter about responsibility.

Qur’an, Al-An’am, Surah 6:163-164: All people will reap the harvest of their own deeds; no one will bear another’s burden. Ultimately, all of you will return to your Lord, and he will resolve your disputes. Al-An’am لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَاْ أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ (6:163) Then Al-Anam 6:164 Say: “ And whatever [wrong] any human being commits rests upon himself alone; and no bearer of burdens shall be made to bear another’s burden. [163] And, in time, unto your Sustainer you all must return: and then He will make you. [truly] understand all that on which you were wont to differ. [164]

PLURALISM

Islam is indeed a pluralistic faith and imbues a sense of humility and ideals of equality of humankind. These values are embedded in its rituals practices. All people harvest their own deeds.

He fashioned each one of you–and each one of you is beautiful. To God you will all return. He knows all that the heavens and the earth contain. He knows all that you hide and all that you reveal. He knows your deepest thoughts. At-Taghabun (Loss and Gain) 64:1 ALL THAT IS in the heavens and all that is on earth extols God’s limitless glory: His is all dominion, and to Him all praise is due; and He has the power to will anything – Had he willed all of us would have been Christians, M, J, H..

The Madinah pact, It was an all inclusive agreement between the Jews, Christians, Sabeans, Quraish, Muslims and other tribes for a peaceful co-existence. An example was set for a pluralistic society in documenting the rights of individuals.

FREEDOM OF THOUGHT

RITUALS IN ISLAM

Rituals are the path markers to spirituality, whether you to Yoga, Meditation or any other activity… the ultimate goal is well being of the person. Islam has laid out pathways to the followers to reach – Piety and humility through the following rituals;

1. Faith – everything starts with a belief
2. Prayer – piety, humility, arrogance
3. Fasting – self discipline
4. Zakat – things belong to God, trustee…
5. Haj – Large scale equalizer

KEY VALUES

1.Justice
2.Equality
3.Peace

KEY BELIEFS

Belief in God,
Angels
Prophets – from Adam to Muhammad
Day of Judgment – accountability

———————-
MUHAMMAD

Muhammad was born in 671 in Mecca, a city in Saudi Arabia. Early on in his childhood, he earned the reputation for being honest and truthful.
Like Gautama Buddha he pondered about the purpose of life and often went in to caves to have moments of solitude to reflect upon.

One day when he was 40, angel Gabriel came to him in the cave and Muhammad felt an extraordinary presence of super natural phenomena, Just as Moses saw the fire in the Brush……. Gabriel, asked him to recite… Muhammad was illiterate, just as Moses was and finally he did. He went and told his cousin Ali about it, who believed in him, then his wife Khadija believed in him and took him to the Christians and Jewish Scholars.. Who acknowledge that this was the man predicted…earlier – Karen Armstrong’s Book…

MUSLIMS

Are those individuals who submit to the will of God.
When Jesus said, follow me, Krishna said surrender to me.. They meant the same thing as submitting to the will of God in Islam.

What does God will?
He simply wants his creation to live in peace and harmony. He wants us to have the freedom to make the right choices in mitigating conflicts and nurturing goodwill.

CLERGY

It may come as a surprise to many of you… that there is no clergy in Islam.
Prophet Muhammad in his last sermon made a clear declaration “ Oh people, I am leaving behind two things for you – Qur’aan and my examples”.

He said the religion was complete and you are on your own. There is no clergy in Islam… however, there are always individuals who proclaim to be “more” knowledgeable and take over things.. You see that happening in every aspect of life.

The simple truth is; it is you who will bear the burden of anxieties, apprehensions from what you say and do… not the clergy, not your parents or kids.

SUNNI & SHIA

After the last sermon – Ghadeer Khom
Last Sermon – book, example and Family
Division Upon Prophet’s death

Like all denominations, they started out with a small difference, over the years, reems of work is asserted to show the difference and the chasm grows deeper and wider. However, the difference affects only a small group of people who do not grasp the essence of their faith.

CONCLUSION

Finding the truth is your own responsibility… what you see on TV or hear on Radio… is propaganda to malign the other… you may have witnessed that even against Unity Church.
Religion was given to each one of the 7 billion of us to make us a better being, most of us get it no matter what faith you practice and a few don’t get it.

A few Residents of your city violate the traffic rules, do evil things, murder people….
people wearing faith badges violate their faith as well.

That does not make the city a bad City or a religion a bad religion. Individuals commit crimes and we need to make them accountable and not their faith or their City. Blaming the City or the Religion does not do a thing, blaming the individual allows to bring justice to the society.

# # #

What is the effect of claiming one’s faith is superior?

In reference to my speech http://mikeghouseforamerica.blogspot.com/2009/04/mike-ghouse-honored-by-rcc.html I have received a number of encouraging words, as well as some good critiquing, and am pleased to address the questions for the sake of clarity.

Dr. Javed Jamil writes below “As Muslims, we cannot support Atheism, Polytheism, etc, but we respect the right of the people to believe whatever they like.”

Javed that has been my point; to respect the right of people to believe whatever they like. I do not encourage any one to become a polytheist or an Atheist, Christian or a Muslim, however, I respect their right to believe what they believe, and certainly work with them for peaceful co-existence of one and all. My inspiration comes from Sura Kafirun that expresses that thought exceptionally well (http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/07/sura-kafirun-un-believers.html ) –

Prophet Muhammad was an ultimate peace maker and I have written 10 different peace models he has offered the world to follow. Remember the offer was for every one, as he was the Rahmatul Aalameen, mercy to mankind. His message was universal and one of the models was signing the treaties with the warring tribes, to mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill and above all to co-exist in peace. It comes with accepting them reluctantly or willingly for the sake of peaceful co-existence. There is no compulsion in the matters of faith, you can always offer Islam for people to look at, and you have got to give the same right to others, but you cannot claim it is superior as it would turn them off, if you want to convert any one to your way of thinking, your belief or if you want to sell your product to any one, you don’t kick the beehive.

Ovais writes “this is a total misconception if you think by saying and accepting that Islam is the only right way would send out a message of arrogance, then you are absolutely wrong, I think this is more of a diplomatic way of making non-Muslim comfortable with you so that you can spend time with them.”

Larry James, the President of Council of Churches, the recipient of similar recognition spoke after me and said, “it is a tough one not to claim that my religion is the only way” It will be a major change in thinking by the Church of or clergy.

Indeed, it is a tough one to crack, but the right one though. If we can make a march towards ridding the arrogance of superior claims, life would be lot easier and paves the way for peace and security. Millions of Native Indians, Jews, Hindus, Christians, Muslims and others have been killed by the Zealots who believed that their way was the only way. Neither Christianity nor Islam is about oppression, force or compulsion, neither are any other faiths. Yet people who believe that their way is the only way, do the massacres, almost every conflict in the world has root in arrogance. You and I would not be able to practice our faith if the Majority decides that their way is the only way, that is not peace, and that is not Islam.

Ovais, the later part of the comment sounds like a personal issue to me, I do not need any diplomacy either, I have ticked off the right wingers in Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Christianity, not intentionally though. We are fighting the turf – if we let them have their way, no one will have any freedom. But the 98% of the people are moderates and beleive in live and let live and that is thier understanding of their respective religion.

The source of conflict is arrogance – including the idea that my faith is superior. It is not the religion that has created problems it is indeed the arrogance of people, it is time we start shedding it. My faith’s goodness is not because others are deficient, my faith is good because following it brings peace to me and what surrounds me. Other faiths offer the same peace to its followers; we need to respect their beliefs. Then conflicts fade and solutions emerge – that is Peace, isn’t that what Islam is about?

The other question raised by a few is about oneness of God.

Oneness of God means a state of conflictlessness, including the numeric one God. God (or the causer of the existence) has intentionally created diversity, when we learn to accept and respect that, conflicts fade and solutions emerge; we will be one world.

A friend shared the following “Linguistically Tawhid means: “To make something one, or to assert the oneness of something.” [Lisaan ul-‘Arab (3/450) of Ibn Mandhoor and also al-Hujjah fee Bayaanil-Mahajjah (1/305) of Abul-Qaasim al-Asbahaanee] However, what we are concerned with here is the Sharee’ah or technical meaning of Tawheed, which is: “To single out Almighty God alone for worship.” [Ad-Dururus-Sunniyyah (1/48) of Shaykh ‘Abdur- Rahmaan ibn Hasan] “

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PEACE?

You, me and every one of us is responsible for peace. If we are not in peace within ourselves, most certainly others are in the same boat. If we can clean ourselves from hate, malice, ill-will and anger, we can reasonably expect others to make the same effort. So, let peace begin with me. No individual or nation can be at peace, when others around it are not. So peace is every one’s responsibility.

Prophet Muhammad was an ultimate peace maker (as were other spiritual masters); indeed, the name of the religion that I follow is “Peace” – aka Islam. Prophet Muhammad wanted to establish peace for humanity and offered various models for us to follow and communicated God’s wisdom through Qur’aan.

I do not consider this recognition as my achievement; it is your acheivement, it is a small step towards achieving the dream of 98% of the moderate population, be it Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Jews or any one; to open people’s hearts and minds towards fellow beings by mitigating conflicts and nurturing goodwill. That is what peace is all about, that is what every Religion including mine contributes to.

A few comments:
Re: Mike Ghouse is recognized as a communicator of the year 2008

Dear Mike,

While I congratulate you on your achievement, I will give a suggestion. To have respect for other religions and faiths is one thing and to honour them is different. If you respect an ideology, it means that you respect the right of an ideology to exist and the right of people to follow it. If you “honour” an ideology, it means you agree with the basic principles of that ideology. Muslims must respect other faiths and must accept a plural society, which is the position of Quran, but they must in no way dilute the basic principles of Islam, most notably monotheism and Prophethood of Muhammad. Even without diluting them, you can be a part of the Inter-fath exercises. Recently, I was invited to attend an International conference on “Religious intolerance” at Bangalore, which was organised by International Council of Churches, Geneva. Most of the invitees were Christian priests. In fact I happened to be the only Muslim invitee. I presented a paper, “Building an all-religion alliance against evils”. My paper was the talk of the whole conference. I advocated the all-religion alliance against commercialisation of human susceptibilities. I also argued that Westernism and Christianity are two different things. Muslims and Christians both should realise this. The best way of diffusing tensions between communities is to unite the religions for a common agenda. Mere handshakes, hugs and common lunches and dinners would not suffice. (I will like to share the paper with the Forum and will soon post it.)

AsMuslims, we cannot support Atheism, Polytheism, etc, but we respect the right of the people to believe whatever they like.

Dr Javed Jamil
##

A richly deserved honor, Mike. Your brief acceptance speech is a great piece and sums up a sublime understanding of Allah (swt), God or what ever other name Mankind invented for the Gracious and Merciful Spread of Energy that envelopes and causes The Universe and the Life there-in. Viva Mike and keep up your Crusade of Humanity.
Best regards:

Sher Suleman
###

Brother Mike,

Please accept my heartiest congratulations for winning the recognition as communicator of the year.Indeed, it should be proud moment for those who believe in your sincere and boundless efforts to bring people of all faiths together, and bring peace and pruralism among people of different faiths, without prejudice towards none.

Communicator : What is communicator and what it means to be a communicator.
Communicator is a person who communicates, esp. one skilled
at conveying information,ideas, or policy to the public.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a great communicator, and used his communicating skill to convince and convert non-believers into Islam.

President Ronald Reagan was a communicator who used his communicating skill to
sell his republican ideology.

President Barack Obama is communicator extraordinaire who uses his skill to win
friends and influence people by his charm and rhetoric.

I personally believe, brother Mike Ghouse is a great communicator in his own rights
as muslim, who does his best by using his skill to build bridge between people of
different faiths and create brotherhood, without prejudice towards none.

Hasni Essa
Islam for pluralism
###

Dear Mike

AA

Congratulations on the Award. On behalf of Community Builders Chicago, I would like to extend our felicitations to you, on this recognition for your community service and wish you continued success in the future.

JK

Azher Quader
Executive Director
Community Builders Chicago
www.mycommunitybuilders.com
###

Dear Mike Bhai,

Here is the issue “And further I am humbled to say that my religion is not superior to others, that claim would be a sheer arrogance. ” this is a total misconception if you think by saying and accepting that Islam is the only right way would send out a message of arrogance, then you are absolutely wrong, I think this is more of a diplomatic way of making non-muslim comfortable with you so that you can spend time with them.

I am not jugding you in any way, your religion is your way to Allah, whatever I say will not affect your path to Janat, but it hurts me when religion is being compromised to gain acceptance of others, I hope I am wrong, but this is what I see in your emails that you are trying to make everyone happy by saying that they are all ok. I strongly believe in peace, it is the only way, but again Islam shouldn’t be compromised. I would suggest you read Surat Kafirun, you would hopefully understand the message of Prophet Mohammed peace be upon him.

Again I am all for peace, Islam stands for peace, and if I have misunderstood your message I appologize but if you still say that all religion are right, then I think this is a misunderstanding, because now this would make you superior to Porphet Mohammed peace be upon him because according to him Islam is the only correct path.

Thanks for reading the message.
-Ovais
###

Mike, thanks for continuing the good witness of your award with the blog entry and pictures.
I much appreciate having your statement, which admirably set the tone for our ceremony.
I haven’t had a chance to download my pictures, but I would like to request a “big file” version of the three awardees.

Rev. Bill Matthews

Mike

Please accept our heartiest congratulations on being honored as Secular Communicator of the Year. I know you have done a tremendous amount of quality work to promote this concept. Overdue but I am glad it happened.

Also, thanks for joining us at the Swaminarayan temple for pooja for Sapna. We appreciate it.

Keep it up………
Bhupen
###

Mazel tov Mike! Congratulations! With more advance notice I might even have tried to attend, even though it is still Passover (and even though I’ve never heard of the organization). You’re in pretty nice company. I know of Larry James and I’ve met him through one of his projects.

Bernie
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Dear Mr Ghouse

You have stated a simpe fact which needs no further arguments to support it.
regards and bw

ravi
###

Mike – I’m celebrating with you! This is indeed a remarkable achievement but very much deserved. Your devotion to peace and justice inspires me everyday and keeps me moving along the path. All the best for a year full of successful campaigns. Your friend,

Rita Clarke
###

Congratulations Mike.

You deserve it and it is overdue. I don’t know anyone who propagates such classic approach of religious harmony and tolerance in our disturbed world.

Hasan Mahmud
###

assalamu alaikum

this article is against the basic believe of islam, if we should honor every tradition, then we should honor those who used to kill their daughter just because they are girls???,
to those who drink dirty food??? to those who are killing humanity just for their worldly beneafits ????, to those who live naked or semi naked???.

Does it make any sense? after reading some part from the article from link, i found mike ghause state as followed

“I am humbled to say that my religion is not superior to others”, that proves, mike ghause is
extremely misguided person and he may be working for kuffar to misguided muslims.
islam is not only superior to other religions but islam is the only true religion in the world until the last day world. All other religion are false, taking people to nowhere but distruction The Religion Communicators council is trying to misguid muslims, beware.
jazakallah
farrukh
###

Congratulations Mike! I am so happy for you and so proud to have interacted with you. i could not agree more with your stand on God and religion, especially the concept of not having any “Superior” or “Chosen” religion has always been part of my faith.

May God bless you!

Taj Hashmi
###

Respected Janab Mike Ghouse saheb AADAAB
No doubt, You are great, Your mission is great and I can say that you are a jewel
of humanity and a torch of world peace.

I appreciate your efforts. I am always with you. You can take my services for more success of your mission.
with regards
Tanveer Jafri. India
###

Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker, Writer and a Moderator.

He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television network discussing Pluralism, interfaith, Islam, India, Multiculturism, Terrorism, Peace, Politics and Civic issues. He co-chairs the center for interfaith inquiry of the Memnosyne Foundation and presides theFoundation for Pluralism. He is the president of World Muslim Congress a think tank with a simple theme: Good for Muslims and good for the world and vice-Versa.

His comments, news analysis and columns can be found on the Web sites and Blogs listed at his personal web site http://www.mikeghouse.net/ . He has authored over 600 articles on Pluralism, interfaith, Islam, India and peace.

His life mission is to open people’s hearts and minds towards fellow beings by mitigating conflicts and nurturing goodwill. He is a peace maker and an educator with two Master degrees and working on his doctorate in Psychology. He has two books on the horizon ; Basic Islam- everything you want to know about Islam and Pluralism, a text book on Pluralism 101.

Mike is a Neighborhood Commissioner at the City of Carrollton, and a Board Member ofDallas Peace Center. He is an Ambassador for Peace for the Universal Peace Federationand a member of the International leadership council. He has initiated the annual events like the Annual Thanksgiving Celebrations in its 12th year, Unity Day USA in its 5th year,Holocaust and Genocides, event just finished its 2nd Annual event. Mike Ghouse Cricket Gold cup and several other initiatives were taken. He was Past President of Indian Creek HOA and North Texas Cricket Association and has been a member of several Boards.

Mike is a Dallasite for three decades and Carrollton is his home town.

White Lies?

We may have caught ourselves telling what is convenient at times rather than the truth; when we are late to the work, late to a social meeting, the distance we are from an appointment, or sharing the painful information with the loved one in bits and pieces, accepting a fault when there is none to quell the disputes and on and on.. Why do we do that? Do we say to ourselves no more?

Let’s work on living a cleaner life,
it brings tremendous amount of tranquility!

Live better each new day.

Mike

IS BUSH A PATRIOT?

Patriot is some one who does good for his country, his people and the world.

Patriotism is not about dying for the country, it is rather living for the country to make your own and others life better. Instead of killing and getting killed, he believes in living and letting others live. He believes in mitigating conflicts and nurturing good will to create a safe world for every one. We cannot be safe unless others around us are not.

A man’s character is reflectd in how he/she treats the ones who are weaker than himself. Be it individuals or nations. Mr. Bush does not fit the bill.

1) He was some one willing to pick fights with other nations and put our men and women in harm’s way?

2) He produced more enemies for America than any other president in our history, thank God for Obama, all that hate generated will be undone.

3) He messed up our economy and got us into over a trillion dollar deficit, financing the uncalled for war and not willing to listen to 72% of Americans.

4) He brought disaster to the American Families? A million plus un-employed.

A patriot must be willing to die for his country in defending the principle for the which his nation stands for, but certainly not die for this country in vain, agression, destruction and killing of others who have done no harm to us. Mr. Bush’s dumb agression in Iraq cost nearly 4000 lives of our men and women, killed nearly a million Iraqi’s, put nearly 200,000 women on the street and don’t know how many children, and gave Al-Qaeda brutes a boost.

I have a hard time buying that he is a Patriot! yes, he took care of his friends and himself financially, yes he is a patriot to himself.