God’s Sake – Khuda Ke Liye

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This article was first Published on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at – :

God’s Sake – Khuda Ke Liye
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/04/gods-sake-khuda-ke-liye.html

1. My Rebuttal to Myths of Modern Islam comments
2. Film opens Indian eyes to life in Pakistan
3. The myth of moderate Islam by Tavleen Singh

[( Rebuttal to Myths of Modern Islam )]

In Sunday’s Indian Express, Tavleen Singh wrote the review for Khuda Ke Liye and has made a few wrong judgment calls. I am pleased to do a rebuttal.

My reaction would have been similar to Tavleen Singh’s, when the Pakistani hero tells his girl friend that “we built Taj Mahal”. We who, would have been my reaction too. The prejudices she has observed are well expressed. As Indians we are sensitive to what the Pakistanis say and I am sure the vice versa is true. The movie has to play it up too to arouse the sentiments of the audience. Then I am surprised at her conclusion “the film was that in seeking to show Islam in a good light, it accidentally exposes the prejudices that make moderate Muslims the ideological partners of Jihadis”. Since when did we start drawing conclusions based on a movie?

Tavleen Singh states that Moderation is in short supply among Muslims? In fact that is the only thing in abundance with Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs or any one for that matter. Most are moderate people and they go on about their daily responsibilities of earning a living and taking care of their families. They do not wear their religion on their sleeves; one may know some one is Muslim or a Hindu, but they don’t wear a neon sign.

In Dallas, we are about 80,000 Indians and our Association’s membership is about 1+% – We are about 75,000 Hindus, but you will not find 2% of the Hindus on any given Sunday at the temple, same goes with the Muslims or Christians. You are always looking for the volunteers and you find the same faces over and over again in every place. A majority of the people do not want to be tied up with the politics, religion or even civic affairs. They mind their own lives. About 9/10th of a percent of people are worriers like you and I, worried about what the 1/10th extremists will do. The 99% cares less.

The majority of any group is moderate, they are plenty in numbers and you never see them in any broils or Hangamas. For a good movie, you see a lot more of Desis than you would see them at the place of worship; religious movies are seen by far fewer people, when Khuda Ke Liye was shown at Fun Asia, the turn out was very low, even the Pakistanis did not come to see Khuda Ke Liye, they went to Om Shanti instead. The number gets bigger if it is a Bollywood entertainment extravaganza.

Look at the Election results of Pakistan, whom did the people vote? Not the religious parties. Out of 336 Seats in the assembly only 6 went to the religious parties and 330 to the secular ones. 2.2% v 97.8%.

Tavleen Singh needs to study more before she draws the conclusions.

She fails to mention the 10 minutes of critical dialogue where Naseeruddin Shah challenges the traditionalists, some thing that compares to the Brahmins washing the water faucet several times after a non-Brahmin has collected water from the public tap. Neither was religious, but practiced regardless. As a Journalist one has to tell the story that people can relate, it is just not what others do that is weird; we do it too in our own unique way.

She is iffy “If ‘moderate’ Muslims believe that the West is the real enemy of Islam” She can keep that to herself, because she does not understand who the moderates are. Like the movies, she must be running into only those people who are not moderates and they are just a few. Look at your own group, any group, Caucasian, African Americans, Latinos, Chinese, Hindus or Muslims – go for a sample of 100, you will find only one or two bullies in such a small sample.

The world is run by extremists and bullies while the moderates silently endure. It is time to get the moderates activated and assertive for the good of humankind. It is also time for the Tavleen Singhs of the world to think before they have their runs on the key boards.

Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker, Writer and a Moderator. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television network discussing Pluralism, politics, Islam, Religion, Terrorism, India and civic issues. His comments, news analysis, opinions and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website http://www.mikeghouse.net/. He can be reached at mailto:MikeGhouse@gmail.comor (214) 325-1916

Editorial: Muslim Heritage

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This article was first Published on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at – :

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/04/editorial-muslim-heritage.html

This is the kind of statement that needs to be said, and am glad they did “Quite simply, the story of Arab and Muslim scientific excellence centuries ago is not the private property of only Arabs and Muslims. It is one for the entire world, Muslim and non-Muslim, to celebrate. ” Indeed, that should be the case with every invention and every advancement.

Prophet Muhammad had defined a good deed as something you do that benefits the other, as the good work of people from the past is benefiting you. The specific example was about planting a tree, that would give shade and fruit to the wayfarer, an unselfish act; a good deed.

We appreciate the King Abdullah University and the US Library of congress for preserving the work for the future generatins.

Mike Ghouse

Editorial: Muslim Heritage
15 April 2008
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7§ion=0&article=108962&d=15&m=4&y=2008

In an age when heritage in so many parts of the world is either ignored, Disneyized into theme parks or, worse still, subjected to the destructive onslaught of the bulldozer and the developer, it is encouraging to learn that the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and the US Library of Congress plan to digitize all Arab and Muslim scientific records. The information, showing clearly the great achievements of Arab Muslim civilization, will be available free of charge on the Internet through the World Digital Library.

This is very significant and important news. One of the aims of the library, to be launched by UNESCO early next year, is the promotion of international and intercultural understanding. Access, at the touch of a mouse, to proof of past Arab scientific prowess will promote just that. For Arabs and Muslims, it will be cause for pride and should help strip away the destructive sense of intellectual inferiority to Western culture that has been such a debilitating element in much of Arab thinking over the past century. For non-Muslims, especially those who through blindness or malevolence continue to regard Muslims as backward and ignorant, it should be an eye-opener and thus do much to improve relations between the two groups

Quite simply, the story of Arab and Muslim scientific excellence centuries ago is not the private property of only Arabs and Muslims. It is one for the entire world, Muslim and non-Muslim, to celebrate. The part played by Arabs and Muslim scientists was momentous and influenced later European science. Some in the West have heard of Ibn Sina and Ibn Rushd under their Europeanized names of Avicenna and Averroes, but how many have heard of Yuhanna ibn Massuwayh and his work on allergy? Or Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariyya Ar-Razi who wrote the famous Al-Hawi, a 30-volume medical encyclopedia and studied the nature of smallpox 900 years before the Englishman Edward Jenner came up with a vaccine? Or Abdul Qasim Az-Zahrawi who was the father of surgery? How many know that thirteen hundred years ago the first known hospital was established in Damascus and that the first pharmacies appeared in Baghdad shortly after? How many know of the army of scientists and scholars that were there and in Islamic Spain, of their search for knowledge, of the discoveries made, the libraries established? How many know that much of the literature and philosophy of the ancient world was rediscovered in Europe through Arabic translations?

That this project is being undertaken by KAUST in collaboration with the US Library of Congress, one of the most important libraries in the world, is both worthwhile and encouraging. This is one of the first projects at KAUST; the university has the lofty aim of inspiring a new age of Arab scientific research and achievement. With this project, looking back to the golden age, one can say with some certainty that it looks set to become a center of excellence not just for Saudi Arabia but for the entire academic world.

Ahmadiyya Muslims, what next?

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This article was first Published on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at – :

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/04/ahmadiyya-muslims-what-next.html

A few articles and comments below;
Ahmadiyya Muslims, what next?
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/04/ahmadiyya-muslims-what-next.html

The real issue is not about who is a Muslim, but it is about how the majorities treat their minorities.
Should the bad decisions of a few in the name of Islam, reflect on the Muslim community at large? Now, Indonesia is planning to ban the “heretical” Muslim sect, should that reflect on Islam? The least we can do is to speak up against the tyranny of one group of people against the other.

The easy option is to do nothing and let the world believe that it is Islam, and if we did that, we would lose our right to complain that it is not us, well it is us. The actions are not the work of a Looney brigade or some fringe groups; it is the government of Indonesia succumbing to please the few among them.

In the movie “A Bug’s life”, it just took one gutsy Flik to fend off the terrorizing grasshoppers, it takes two boys or two girls to stand up to the class room bully to end the tyranny. It would take a few passionate Muslims to speak out and persuade the establishment. I suggest every one to watch this movie to understand how our Neocons (extremist Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and others – Jews claim Zionists are not extremists, and I take their word for it) work and how us, the silent majority should act.

The real question that we need to address is should we let a majority determine what one believes, wears or eats? Can the Majority in the United States do that? Can the majority in Indonesia do that? Should that work in India? Can the Sunni Majority in Saudi Arabia harass the Shia? Can the Shia Majority in Iran harass the Sunnis? We have to catch up with our own integrity. Those who were a majority elsewhere are a minority somewhere else.

God is about justice and he wants us to live in peace and harmony, after all, each one of us is his creation, and he will not discriminate any one of us. Qur’aan – 49:13 “O men! Behold, we have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, all-aware.”

A majority of Muslims understand that Islam is a religion of peace, a religion of freedom and justice, and a religion that does not force people to behave. Indeed, if we start looking at ourselves, Alhamdu Lillah, Praise the Lord, the majority of us get along with all and live a life of peace and co-existence.

Every now and then, a “few” among us cross that line, when we let Governments, in the name of Islam start judging people’s faith; we are making a gross error defying the very God we purport to follow. Don’t practicing Muslims recite this at least 50 times a day? Qur’aan, Sura “1:4 Lord of the Day of Judgment!” And “1:5 you alone do we worship; and unto Thee alone do we turn for aid.”

Is it up to God or the Government of Indonesia? When we object the Neocons to pre-empt God and bring the Armageddon as soon as possible and justify their ruthlessness in the name of God, then we must object any one taking over God’s decisions in the name of Islam.

When Hazrat Bakr was agreed upon to be the Caliph, the consensus was with him and the few who disagreed dropped their opposition and followed the leader in the same manner as Republicans and democrats who fight within until a candidate is nominated, then every one rallies around the selected one.

The problem with us or any majority of people is we do not give our consensus; we do not exercise our rights and by default give others, the right to govern us.

Not the Pakistani people, but the dictator in-charge, to appease a few, enacted the laws declaring Ahmadiyya group of people as non-Muslims, but then the Pakistani people start believing and legitimizing it. Americans are no different, if the President thinks Russia is evil, we jump with him and when he turns around and befriends China, and in a heartbeat we change our minds too. If he declares Islam is the danger… thank God, Americans are getting away from blindly following government and exercising independent judgment.

It is time for Muslims to stand up and speak out.

Remember the Good Samaritan American women during 9/11? They wore Hijab to show solidarity with Muslim women, the time is coming, when a whole mass of population will declare themselves Muslim to show solidarity with the Ahmadiyya, what are you going to do?

What prevents one from incorporating their group with the name Muslim or Islam? There are a lot of websites with the words Muslim and Islam, but they are actually anti-Islam. What are you going to do about it?

It is time for Muslims to wake up and act righteous and speak out.

Would you join me in writing to the Indonesian government to consider this ill-adivised proposal?

 # # Additional appeal #1:

I am a Muslim, a Sunni if it makes a difference in building goodwill.

I do not believe in getting pushed into a box. I realize that it will take a while for all of us to get to that point. On the other hand there is nothing wrong in accepting the diversity among us, it is not the difference, it is our attitude towards the difference that needs to be evaluated.

First of all, please note that our forum or any other forum must values every opinion, I believe God has created us all equal, what we make out of it is our effort and God knows everything we do.

This is the reason you will find legitimate criticism of issues (not individuals) is published on this forum. As a publisher and moderator of this group, I can simply delete the criticism leveled against me every now and then, but I don’t. You should not be surprised that Brother Iftekhar Alvis’s criticism is published here, as Muslims we have to engage in dialogue, listen to different point of views and not be judgmental, we have to respectfully disagree, but not deny each others’ point of view. We cannot expect the good things to happen, if we do not pave the way for a dialogue and debate.

Several Imams, scholars and heads of organizations have expressed the need for the Muslim community to put our difference aside and come together for the common good of Muslims and the world. What is good for us has got to be good for others for it to sustain.

Ahmadiyya no doubt differ from the Sunni thought, but Sunnis also differ from Shia in the interpretation of Ahl-e-bait. But we have lived all along for over 14 centuries. Some of us have issues with the newer group in the family of Muslims and are eager to deny them a sense of belonging based on hearsay, fact or fiction. Politically they are not comfortable either as some of us are not. But most of us would like to embrace every one who calls himself/herself a Muslim, just as we boast that Prophet Essa, Musa, Ibrahim and others were Muslims because they believe in a God and the accountability day.

Islam is about Justice and when we deny some one the same rights as we have, then we cannot call it Justice. Our moral standing and Eemaan (faith) will be strong when we truly believe that Justice is not for our own kind, but for every human being, Muslim or not.

We have to take a position and embrace every Muslim and not do the hair splitting. If you give the Danda (stick) to orthodox Wahhabi, Shia, Sunni, Ismaili, Bohra, Ahmadiyya, Kurd or other group to lash out, they would declare every one to be a non-Muslim other than themselves and perhaps give each one of us at least one lash. Isn’t this the reason we have Islam where a rich or poor, Alim (scholar) or Jahil (ignorant) can stand in the same line in presence of God Almighty as equals? After all, if we die, each one of us will be buried on equal terms. Only Allah knows and he reserves the right to judge one’s Emaan, and one’s Niyyah and not any one else. This is our God given freedom.

If we need to have the moral strength, we have to consider dropping the barriers for greater good. We have to work for it, we have to do the Jihaad within, we have to fight the “desire” to compel others to be like us, isn’t this Jihad a legitimate Jihaad?

There is quite a lot of raw, civil and good expressions included in the comments sections http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/04/ahmadiyya-muslims-what-next.html .

Jazak Allah Khair
Mike Ghouse

# # # Additional appeal #2:
I am not an Ahmadiyya, but as a Muslim, I will stand up for their right to practice their version of the faith as it works for them. We do not have to subscribe to their version, nor do we have to become obsessed in judging their Eeman (faith). You and I do not own ISLAM, Islam is not anyone’ property to claim exclusive rights to it. Just as you subscribe to it, others do too, let every one subscribe in their own way. If God wanted us to be a homogenous beings, he would have made us Farishtas (angels), he wanted us to be unique.

May God bless you and cause you to become a part of the mainstream Islam, where every one is honored with their differences and accept every one as a Muslim, as long as they believe in God and his prophet and the day of judgment.

# # # Additional appeal #3:
I am speaking from a Majoritarianism V. Minoriatarianism perspective. The civility of a group is determined by how it treats its weak, its children, its women, it older folks.

A few of us claim that Islam has been around from Ibrahim’s time and our explanation is that Islam means submission to the will of God, hence Musa was Muslim, and Essa was a Muslim. Yet, we do not want the same definition to be used by others.

Shahadah is the door that opens every one to be called a Muslim. In fact, that is the first thing required of any one to be a Muslim. As Muslims we have to strive for Justice – and Justice is negation of oppression.

Learning about others is critical and I have been to the Ahmadiyya Mosque, and at least the Qur’aan I picked from the Mehraab (book shelf), walking around the Masjid was the same, as I glance through many of the Sarah’s. www.Alislam.org is their website.

Sunnis declaring Shia as non Muslim and vice-versa (Mecca’s Mufti) is an endless loop. We have to leave the judgment to Allah and accept the diversity within Islam. Our fight should be focused on dismantling the false propaganda against Muslims – The Ahmadiyya are doing a good job in sharing about Islam, and I have been in their company a few times in the interfaith meetings. I did not hear anything contrary, at least in the public.

Alhamdu Lillah, Indonesian government is not going to pass the laws. However, this issue will not go away. The politics in us has to manufacture an enemy, and for a few among us, Ahmadiyya are the easy prey. We don’t need to eat from the same plate, but let’s do our jihad against this hostility.

A few of my friends suggest me not to take up these issues, I disagree, God has DNA’d each one of us to do a few things in life. Some of us are volunteers and serve others and some don’t. Some day more and more Muslims will see the wisdom of Sura Hujurat, verse 49.

My role model is Prophet Muhammad, and I would like to emulate as much as I can, as most of the Muslims do. One of his roles was to speak up and stand up for justice, it did not matter to him if Khadija and Ali were the only two followers, then later on with 313 followers he stood up against the ooo’s. He stood his ground despite the persecution. There is a lot we can learn from this.

# # # Additional appeal #4:.In the previous posting a clarification was made that we have the right to judge one’s deviant social behavior as to theft, fornication, cheating etc, where as one’s faith, an inner matter will be judged by God on the Day of Judgment, only God knows and is aware of our intentions.

To me Prophet Muhammad was the last prophet. Ahmadiyya interpretation works for them, as they believe in it. Neither Shia, Sunni, Ahmadi, Wahhabi have to accept each other’s point of view, we do differ on different issues. Each set has its own peculiarities that the others do not share, that is given, and we have to live with it, as we cannot compel any one to believe what he or she does not.

The choices are: i) compel them to change their belief ii) deny them their right to believe in Islam in their own way iii) and deny them the right to call themselves Muslims. This assumes that we don’t need to consult and that when consulted and if the majority agrees to impose all the three choices, we have to go by the majority. None of this can be good for all times.

What if the whole nation of Indonesia becomes Ahmadiyya or powerful, can they reverse the above choices made by Sunni Muslims? Would that be legitimate? The Criminal Ferdinand has done that in 1492, Criminal Hitler has done that around 1940, in both instances the world stood by doing nothing.
Most Muslims believe that Islam is for all times, it is big enough to accommodate and live with the whole diverse universe without conflicts and without compelling others to be subservient, and letting every one who he or she is remain who they want to be. God’s model of diversity is impeccable with the matter, the Sun, the planets, and the whole universe obeys God, meaning they do what they were created for. He wants us to know each other and the best among us is the one who is best in conduct, Allah is aware.

Mohammed Irtaza quotes Qur’aan below “those who take heed and lead a righteous life, will have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.”

I am grateful to almighty that I am not obligated to any one but God. I do not fear any one but God. Thanks God I do not intend to please anyone at the cost of pleasing the creator. Speak the truth as I know and understand. Thanks God again, no Imam, no Muslim scholar, No Muslim has ever pushed me to compromise, we debate, we argue, but no one has ever compelled me. The Public should know that Muslims debate and discuss issues, and they agree and disagree. They are as democratic as anyone can get. For every three Muslims, we can find five opinions.

My sincere request to my Muslim brothers and sisters is to resist the temptations to deny Ahmadiyya to call themselves Muslims. In the long haul, it is the good thing do for Muslims and all. Let people live the way they want to, that is God’s intention. God would have made the whole world Christians, Muslims, Hindus or Jews, he could have done that, but like his cosmos is diverse, he expects us to be different and maintain that uniqueness. He wants us to learn about each other so we can live in Harmony. Quraan, 49:17http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/WorldMuslimCongress/Articles/Mission-Statement.asp

Jazak Allah Khair
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Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker, Writer and a Moderator. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television network discussing Pluralism, politics, Islam, Religion, Terrorism, India and civic issues. He is the founder of the World Muslim Congress, a group committed to building bridges and nurturing a world of co-existence. He also heads the foundation for pluralism, an organization committed to studying religious pluralism and pluralistic governance. His personal website is http://www.mikeghouse.net/ and his writings are on the above websites as well as several of the ancillary Blogs listed on the sites.

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Indonesia going conservative?

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This article was first Published on Sunday, April 27, 2008 at – :

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/04/indonesia-going-conservative.html

Indonesia going conservative


http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/04/indonesia-going-conservative.html

Even the ultra-liberals would resist the idea of non-restrictive copulation between adults; some one has to bear the consequences of such acts. They may silently and reluctantly accept it, but will not put a bill board to encourage others to participate in such an activity.

It is a wrong idea to assume that, it is the religion that restricts sex outside of marriage. Even if we do not have an organized religion, these rules would have evolved and become a part of a society. It becomes even more important to encourage responsibility given the STD’s, Pregnancies, and Caring for the children born out of irresponsibility, dependencies and abortion. One irresponsible act can produce a series of undesirable situations.

However, being conservative sounds like patriarchal, where some one wants to control how others behave, the re-evolving ‘conservatism’ in Indonesia is fraught with patriarchal attitudes, thanks God it is in the evolving state, it can be checked.

The idea of placing chastity lock assumes women are at fault; actually it is the men who initiate and beg for non-customary favors. By the way the same logic applies when men want to keep the women from the public eye. There was a time in history where the woman was required to die with the husband, and the kings used to put chastity locks on their wives when they went out conquering lands; such was the control exercised by the conservative, insecure men. It is time; we men grow up and feel confident in our relationships.

The laws should be based on treating humanity on an equal footing. No should be assumed to be superior or inferior. Qur’aan, “Men and Women are each others garments”. Just as the garments shield one from the cold and heat, the metaphor encompasses every aspect of life including the vows; in happiness and sorrow, sickness and health, poverty or wealth, weakness or strength, difficulties and comforts, men and women are indeed each other’s garment. No matter what faith or culture you follow, the essence of the vows is the same; justice. (http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/03/gender-equality-now.html )

Immorality stems from social injustice, in this situation, the men assume that the women need money and they can trade services, the assumption is based on social injustice where one takes advantage of the other, which leads to other imbalances in the society and depriving the members from security, peace and prosperity.

I hope Indonesia re-evaluates the idea and initiates the programs where the root cause for such thinking is burned out and every individual to immorality is assigned equal responsibility.

Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker, Writer and a Moderator. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television network discussing Pluralism, politics, Islam, Religion, Terrorism, India and civic issues. He is the founder of the World Muslim Congress, a group committed to building bridges and nurturing a world of co-existence. He also heads the foundation for pluralism, an organization committed to studying religious pluralism and pluralistic governance. His personal website is http://www.mikeghouse.net/ and his writings are on the above websites as well as several of the ancillary Blogs listed on the sites.
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Shaping America’s Future

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Dr. Mike Ghouse, a Public Speaker, pluralist, thinker, author, organizer, business and community consultant, newsmaker, and an interfaith wedding officiant. He is also the founder and president of the Center for Pluralism in Washington, DC. 

He will discuss how each of us worries about the future, particularly about our way of life, jobs, retirement, children, and grandchildren’s future. We want to feel secure about who we are religiously, politically, socially, racially, sexually, or other uniqueness. 

All we need is to live the way we want to live comfortably in a hassle-free environment. Yet, Mike asserts that the Trump administration is sowing the seeds of discord, division, and pitting one American against the other, including policies resulting in Black lives matter, the White supremacist, and other uprisings creating tensions. 

He argues that we have a choice to reluctantly accept what comes our way, or choose to shape the future we want. 

Mike concludes that we must stop the current administration’s policies and correct the course to put America back again on the road of secure living for every American. It is our responsiblity to shape America’s future to be a nation where every American feels confident about his/her way of life. 

NOTE: His latest book, “American Muslim Agenda,” is a primer, a road map, and a Blueprint for Muslims to build a cohesive America. Three more books are on the horizon. America’s Future, Future of Interfaith, Pluralism, and Standing up for others. See also http://www.TheGhouseDiary.comShare this:

Indian Muslims; Amity Road

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This article was first Published on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at – :

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/04/indian-muslims-amity-road.html

BOOK REVIEW – A road to Amity by Dr. Rafiq Zakaria

Thanks to Rafiq Zakaria for writing this book and thanks to Sreeram Chaulia for encapsulating the essence in his review so well. These are the very words I have written and talked about in bits and pieces all my life. I hope this book gets wide circulation and discussed through out India.
I strongly believe that justice, [also balance or equilibrium] is at the core of a secure, peaceful and a prosperous nation. The Bill Gates Model, where one’s success translates to the success of all can be seriously looked at. The traditional words like Charity and Alms must be dropped from daily usage as they bond the disadvantaged to the dependency; instead we need to start talking about investment in human development. Bringing every one up on to a level playing field and let them compete from that point forward. It is investing in the sum total of each human being into a productive and contributing citizen to benefit her/him and that which benefits to the nation as a whole.

GROSS HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

It would be like GDP of a nation, a sum total of goods and services produced in a nation. We can call is GHD – Gross human development which would factor in the sum total of all contributions towards the security and peace of the society, they very ingredient that ensures and sustains the economic prosperity of a nation.

This would include every effort to mitigate conflicts and seamlessly convert them into Goodwill to our words and actions would focus on getting along rather than harp on conflicts; it would be an institutional change. Just as the Japanese find it difficult to sit and do nothing, we would become a society where we would relentlessly work on building goodwill and would not sit quite until we resolve societal conflicts – without blaming and without score keeping, a requirement of Good will building.

I do hope that book also factor in the positive efforts made by Muslims in India today for a better India. The mainstream media can stoke this positive aspect of Indians into enhancing the Gross human development.

Jai Hind

Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker, Writer and a Moderator. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television network discussing Pluralism, politics, Islam, Religion, Terrorism, India and civic issues. He is the founder of the World Muslim Congress, a group committed to building bridges and nurturing a world of co-existence. He also heads the foundation for pluralism, an organization committed to studying religious pluralism and pluralistic governance. His personal website is http://www.mikeghouse.net/ and his writings are on the above websites as well as several of the ancillary Blogs listed on the sites.
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OBAMA, THE SHEPHERD

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This article was first Published on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at – :

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/03/obama-shepherd.html

Mike Ghouse, February 27, 2008

This is the first time in our nation’s history that some one is speaking the needs, wants and voices of a majority of the people. He is neither a right winger extremist, nor a leftist but a moderate right down the middle embracing and bringing every American together to participate and contribute towards the success, safety and security of America.

An overwhelming majority of us are moderates, people who want to get along with everyone and focus on living the American dream; education, employment, family, children, car, home and a secure retirement. Thank God for Obama, he mirrors the aspirations of millions of Americans and is our new shepherd on the political spectrum. He will lead us to a safe, secure, strong, and respectable and a healthy America.

Obama is for a strong America, where our economic and military strength is leveraged to persuade nations to follow the policy of live and let live and imbibe the democratic principles of honoring the voices and acknowledging the validity of every member of the society. It is in our interest to have peace around us, it is in our interest to create a just world, when others are at peace, and we reap the dividends as well. It is economical to pursue peace than bully around and frighten others. When others are frightened, our peace and safety is on the line as well.

Barak believes in talking with enemy, rather than frustrating the enemy to a point where we have to guard our selves every moment of the day and watch out for the destruction of our own peace, safety and security. Mother Teresa had once said “If you want to make peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.”

A healthy America is not a social medicine, as my fellow Republicans are brainwashed to believe. Our investment in the health of our people ensures that we have a reliable and productive work force, the healthier we are, the lesser the loss of time on job, more income produces more revenue. Where as an unhealthy America makes us lose on productivity and the costs that go with it. A healthy America is a productive America and it is in our national interest to preserve and strengthen it, this is the other side of coin of a strong America. It is not a charity; it is the best investment a nation can make in her people. The money we blew in Iraq could have done so much better for us at home.

Not all, but the core of the Republican Party is focused on manufacturing fear, building empires and relentlessly making enemies. We don’t need their nightmares. Neither of one of us in the world would live in peace with those attitudes. Their approach to Iraq has given birth to Al-Qaeda that was not there before and our presence in Iraq will produce more of them. It is time to respectfully give them their land and come back home with dignity and respect for the Iraqi’s to manage their own affairs. We are worse off today than we were in 2002. The few extremists in Republican Party frighten the public and then create false security, it is time for the majority of Republicans to speak up or lose in the elections. Barak has the inclination to remove the causes for such fears and his administration will restore our respect in the community of nations. That would be the best thing that can happen. It will make us morally strong again.

The Chinese philosopher Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King meant to pass the following wisdom to our War mongers, “Conquer your foe by force, you increase his enmity; conquer by love, and you will reap no after-sorrow.” Until the hard core Republicans come down from their high horses and believe in humility, compassion, peace and respect for humanity, the Americans will keep them frustrated. The frighteners cannot be saviors.

A strong, safe, prosperous and healthy America should be our goal and Barak is the one who will deliver it.

Please register your attendance at: http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=43583

Two part event: 1) Learn and share about Obama and 2) Make phone calls from your cell.

Sunday, March 2, 2008 – 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Banquet hall next door to Barbeque Tonite Restaurant
2540 Old Denton road, suite 173 – Old Denton at Trinity Mills (Bush Frwy)/ (972) 877-9133

Mike Ghouse
A Republican for Obama
(214) 325-1916

Write your comments to: CommentstoMike@Gmail.com
In the subject line please write :: Obama the Shepherd.
——————————————————————————–
Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker, Writer and a Moderator. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television network discussing Pluralism, politics, Islam, Religion, Terrorism, India and civic issues. His comments, news analysis, opinions and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website www.MikeGhouse.net. He can be reached at MikeGhouse@gmail.com or (214) 325-1916

Stopping Islam bashing

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This article was first Published on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at – :

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/03/stopping-islam-bashing.html

Stopping Islam bashing
MikeGhouse

We cannot expect people to have a favorable opinion of us, if we have never given one. The one the public receives is negative through the media, it will not go away, unless we change it. We are good people just like every one else, but they do not know it.

It is time to change our perception. Muslims in general do not participate in public affairs, you can barely spot them in civic affairs. Last night I had a successful Obama event, no Muslim around was to be seen, those who confirmed did not show up either. Please do your part at least, and quit being selfish. Volunteer and participate in public events.

Here is my response to a posting on the subject of
“Man beheads 15 month old in Saudi Arabia”

It is a shame what is happening with the 15 month old baby in the report below, and every one should condemn it.

In the United States, we have the rules to follow the constitution, it does not mean every one will. 1% of our population is in Jails. Who is bad, America or those individuals? I encourage you to post information about what goes on daily in the US And Canada with common people, so we can learn that bad people exist no matter what religion they wear. Did you know in Texas a woman drowned her three kids in bath tub and killed them, it was water boarding. She was not a Muslim. Just look up a week’s newspaper in your city, you will find disgusting stories.

For the heck of it, I just Googled for “man kills his son”, and this came up: along with hundred others

I did not post the gory story where a Texas man bangs his 15 months old baby’s skull on the rock several times to crush it. He was not a Muslim either. Check it out, it is on google just last month.
…………………………

http://www.local6.com/news/15027996/detail.html

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A Winter Haven man was charged with murder, accused of fatally beating his 4-month-old daughter Christmas Day because he wanted a son, authorities said.

Marcos Gomez-Romero, 28, told investigators that he beat Ariana Rodriguez Romero to death because he wanted a son instead of a daughter, according to a Polk County Sheriff’s Office report.
According to deputy interviews, Gomez-Romero said he became angry every time he saw the girl. He also said that abusing his daughter became a habit, a sheriff’s report showed. “

…………………………

You will find every human category you can imagine in the wrong doers list, Google it every time some one wants to slam a Muslim, you will find 100 more others who do the same. If you want to categorize, you will find Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Jews and every one else…No one can cast the first stone. Thanks to Google. Let’s learn to be fair.

Religion is supposed to make people better humans, most people do, and do the right thing, however some don’t. Bad people are in every faith in the same percentage, they are not exclusive to Islam. We have bad presidents, bad clergy, bad kids, bad dads and bad moms… but not all of them are bad. Islam is no different.

We need to stop Islam bashing, if we do, we need to look in our own pants for a change, it is equally uglier there. Let’s not slap religion on the bad acts of people.

To make peace, we have to mitigate conflicts in our words and action.

Mike Ghouse
…………………………………………….

In a message dated 3/3/2008 3:20:57 P.M. Central Standard Time writes:
To be a Muslim is to be a peace maker; one who … seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill.

It’s just too bad, isn’t it, Mike, that life gets in the way.

Here’s an item for you — from TODAY’S file:

Man beheads 15 month old Nephew in Saudi Supermarket
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=107428&d=3&m=3&y=2008&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom

RIYADH (AFP) ?A man beheaded his 15-month-old nephew in front of his mother in a supermarket in Saudi Arabia apparently after a family dispute, newspapers reported Monday.

The 25-year-old Syrian national picked up a knife from the store in the Red Sea city of Jeddah on Sunday and decapitated the little boy in full view of shoppers, Arab News said.

The man apparently killed him following a dispute with his sister and brother-in-law, the English-language daily said.
“He chopped off the boy’s head in front of the mother to get back at her,” a police officer was quoted as saying. The mother fainted and was taken to hospital.

Murder is punishable by death in ultra-conservative Muslim Saudi Arabia, where the death sentence is usually carried out by beheading.

Mike Ghouse www.WorldMuslimCongress.com http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com WorldMuslimCongress@yahoogroups.com

A Christian Apology

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This article was first Published on Thursday, March 6, 2008 at – :

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/03/christian-apology.html

Dear friends,

Down below, Marylou has put together some serious thoughts for all of us to consider, this comes on the eve of the announcement from Pope Benedict that a formal committee will be established between the Catholics and Muslims to improve upon the soured relationships between the communities.

This also reminds me of the intense moments I experienced with 33 other members of different faith traditions about two years ago in a conference, which resulted in a documentary called “one path many ways”. You can see the trailer of it at: http://www.manypathsonesource.org/LeaderBios/MikeGhouse.html

The movie was presented in the Canadian film festival and we are hoping it would be released on PBS. I will update you about it. Once it is shown, I can put it on the website, or I can show it to a few friends here in Dallas with the permission of the producers Joshua & Mary Ann Thompson-Frenk.

Being a Muslim, I was expecting that every one will be pointing the guns at me, and I was ready to deal with it. But it was a total surprise to every one that it turned against the Missionary Zealots who demolished the Native cultures of America and Africa (about 15 representatives of the cultures were participating). The tense moment came when Becky a Navajo, cried for what they did to her tradition… and offered a symbolic rope to any Christian to come forward and accept it as part of the healing (at least six Christian traditions were represented)… absolute tenseness prevailed, then Rev Todd, a Presbyterian minister walked up to her and received the rope… and offered an apology… Then the biggest surprise miracle of my life happened… Tony Ambrose, an Apache prayed for rain, in no time, it was pouring… it was a moment of celebration. Goose bumps are appearing on me imagining that evening. Watch the slide show http://picasaweb.google.com/MikeGhouse/MemnosyneConference

Now, Marylou has offered that opportunity, remember, healing begins with one person at a time. As a Muslim, I accept the apology and offer an apology to everyone, where wrongs have been committed in the name of Islam by forced conversions and other incidental crimes. God would not have authorized any such compulsions in his name. Let’s recognize, Marylou does not represent every Christian, nor do I represent every Muslim. No one on the earth represents every one, but it takes a few to begin the movement for peace and co-existence.

As responsible citizens of the world, and servants of the creator, it is your, mine and every one’s responsibility to cause peace. If it does not happen with you and me, it will not happen with others. Let the peace begin with me. It is our duty to Jihaad (struggle) for harmonious and peaceful co-existence. Amen.

We do have the room for the few, who would not accept this exchange. God is forgiving, loving, kind and merciful, when we follow him (Christians), surrender to him (Hindus) , submit to his will (Muslims), and simply obey him (every faith), then we are to reflect his forgiveness, kindness and love. Please feel free to express your agreement or disagreement in 150 words are less.

Mike Ghouse
http://www.worldmuslimcongress.com/
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/
WorldMuslimCongress@yahoogroups.com

Gender Equality Now

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This article was first Published on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at – :

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/03/gender-equality-now.html

A peace maker constantly seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for peaceful co-existence. His or Her words and actions do not make things worse, but bring some sense and understanding to the situation. God wants us to live in peace and harmony with his creation; indeed that is the purpose religion. – Mike Ghouse

Special issue: International Women’s day 20 Articles from around the World

GENDER EQUALITY NOW
Mike Ghouse, March 8, 2008

The great poet Philosopher Sir Mohammad Iqbal had said “Wajood-e-zan say hai kayanaat may khushboo” in his beautiful Poetry in Urdu. The essence of which is presence of a woman makes the universe beautiful and complete and vice verse.

Men and women are each others protectors, saviors and serve each other in living a purposeful life. One is incomplete without the other, adds the Qur’aan, “Men and Women are each others garments”. Just as the garments shield one from the cold and heat, the metaphor encompasses every aspect of life including the vows; in happiness and sorrow, sickness and health, poverty or wealth, weakness or strength, difficulties and comforts, men and women are indeed each other’s garment. No matter what faith or culture you follow, the essence of the vows is the same; justice.
Justice is the basis for peace, be it between spouses, family members, business partners, stockholders and consumers, president and the public, minorities and majorities, communities, nations or the globe. Whenever one takes advantage of the other, the balance is lost and the unit is crippled. In personal relationships, the disadvantaged ones are patiently waiting for the moment to get even or get justice. It is the hope that keeps the life moving forward.

A disgruntled couple was traveling in the country side; neither was speaking with the other. As they drove by a preserve, both of them spotted the wild boars on the roadside fighting each other. The spouting Husband opens his murderous mouth and looks at his wife “Your relatives?” She retorts right back “Yes, in-laws”.
It is time for men and women to pledge to be fair and just, there is joy in it. When there is justness, peace is the outcome.

Men need to outgrow their insecurities. To feel secure, some men scream, shout, suppress and oppress the other, deep down that makes them even more insecure. Men need to learn that to be secure; they have to learn to be equal with their partner in life. Accept it when you or she is wrong, there is no need to pretend and feed the insecurity. She is there to protect you and vice versa. You are each others respect and dignity.

From an Afghan to a Texan to a Zulu; from an Atheist to a Muslim to a Zoroastrian and every one in between, men have not been just to women. No one needs to rejoice as no one group can cast the first stone. The problem is with individuals and not with education, ethnicity, religion or race. So, let’s treat this is an individual problem one family at a time.

Mothers have more influence with the kids than the fathers; it behooves them to train their kids to grow up respecting every human regardless of their gender, age, race, face or faith. Let the kids learn that work is genderless; with a few well defined exceptions, each person is capable of doing every work. Two generations from now, you can expect the men and women to be true partners and true garments of each other.

Change does not have to happen with a Tsunami, it should happen with each single effort. We should not demand others to do it, we have to do it ourselves first, and let others do it with their own volition. At least we can we say, we have don our part and it will serve us well.

I will do my part.

Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker, Writer and a Moderator. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television network discussing Pluralism, politics, Islam, Religion, Terrorism, India and civic issues. His comments, news analysis, opinions and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website www.MikeGhouse.net. He can be reached at MikeGhouse@gmail.com