A Muslim Challenges & The Pastor Backs Off

Mike Ghouse September 21, 2020 Comments Off

This article was first Published on 01/26/2017 07:10 pm at – : https://www.huffpost.com/entry/a-muslim-challenges-the-pastor-backs-off_b_588a8d82e4b0020b224b434e

MUSLIM MIKE GHOUSE V PASTOR ROBERT JEFFRESS

I asked the Southern Baptist Pastor, “Reverend Jeffress, “I understand what you said about the Quran. Either you have read it some place or heard it, but did you verify it?” He backed off just like the Presidential candidate Ben Carson had done in a similar question. Facts don’t matter to this man.

Jeffress gave a sermon in his Church, “The Quran is an evil book, written by an evil prophet…” and received a thunderous applause and a standing ovation. There are many like him out there. I really don’t understand.

A minister in a church, which should be a place to receive Jesus’s love, creating ill-will is beyond me. This is not a cult either. It is a mainline Southern Baptist Church allowing this man to make ‘his’ God a villain of other people. When did the All Loving God become a villain of others?

That was followed by a weeklong back and forth discussion between the pastor and me. In one of the pre-taped conversations on Fox News in September 2010, I called on Jeffress, “You have an obligation to tell the truth to your congregation.” I challenged him again, “Pastor, I will give you the benefit of doubt. You probably have read the wrong translation of Quran or someone filled you with false information. I will give you the right copy of a translation of the Quran. Take a month and study it, and then we will have an open discussion in your church. If you find three faults with Quran that we agree in the public, I will join your ministry. If not, then you need to stop spreading the false information and join me in bringing peace to our communities. Let’s be the blessed peace makers.”

Richard Ray of Fox News cut out the above piece where I challenged Jeffress. This kind of challenge was never given in the history of religion, yet they cut it out! Thankfully, Steve Blow from Dallas Morning News wrote the story, which has been read over 300,000 times.

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/news/2010/09/19/In-defense-of-Islam-pursuing-9397

I am committed to build a cohesive America where no American has to feel apprehension or fear of the other and I will stand like a rock against stereotyping which is one of the major evils of the society and happens with many religions.

Please do not stereotype Baptists, because you will be wrong in doing so. I know Muslims have learned their lessons not to stereotype anyone, because they are victims of stereotyping themselves. For every Muslim who misbehaves, there is a Christian, Jew, Hindu or Buddhist who misbehaves; and for the 99 good Muslims, there are 99 good Christians, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists.

I know many compassionate Baptist Pastors who are angels on this earth, and who are committed to building the Kingdom of Heaven by embracing all humanity like Jesus did.

One of the leading Baptists figures in Dallas was late Rev. Roy Harrell from Thanksgiving Square who led the interfaith prayers at our events including the first Unity Day USA event on September 11, 2005. Pastor George Mason of Wilshire Baptist Church of Lakewood says he has more in common with this Muslim than the Baptist Pastor Jeffress. Pastors Bob Roberts and Rick Love are two nationally known Evangelical Pastors who are committed to peace on earth. Indeed, I have translated a chapter of the Quran and have dedicated it to Pastor Bob Roberts for his belief in respecting the “otherness” of the other.

The problems of the world always originate from the greedy and power hungry individuals. The problem is Pastor Robert Jeffress, and not the Southern Baptist Ministry.

He is all about money; God is just a show off for him. While I was sitting in the Church amidst some 3000 congregants, he made his call. He wanted 100 of the congregants to bring at least one new person a month with a plan to convert them in the next ten months. I don’t think that was his real motive. He shamelessly showed the video of a Romanian immigrant man who converted to his ministry and donated a few million dollars. Jeffress closed the sermon by saying, the more you give, the more God gives! He forgot to say, he gets to keep a portion of God’s money.

I was surprised that his congregants did not demand him to research the truth or demand he stop passing on false information about Islam or Quran or even take up the challenge themselves. A place of worship is to find peace and not hatred for others.

He had called Mormonism along with Hinduism, Islam and others as cults. But when Mitt Romney became the Republican Nominee, Jeffress shamelessly flipped his position without batting an eye. He was looking for scraps. Finally, he may just get some from Trump.

Now Jeffress is back at it again, justifying building the wall as if Trump needed justification. I did not know Trump’s reaction to that, but I hope he did not fall for it. Jeffress failed to say that the wall was built in Jerusalem to prevent the enemies from destroying the temple. The Mexicans are not our enemies; they are our neighbors and allies and have helped build our economy instead. A man of God recommends a wall? I hope someone in his congregation has the courage to ask him to become a pastor of love and not hate.

What a shame it is, when the congregants allow their mesmerizing pastors to make a villain out of God. Of course, there are men like him in all faith traditions. If Muslim Imams utter nonsense like that, I would chew them out …and I have. God willing, it will be in my upcoming book – “Mistakes Muslims Make”.

As a peacemaker I appeal to Jeffress to quit sowing the seeds of discord between people. He needs to follow Jesus Christ and become a blessed “Peace Maker” and focus on mitigating conflicts and nurturing goodwill. A real patriotic American wants Americans to get along, respect each other and strengthen to make us, “one nation, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Weakening America is very unpatriotic.

Quran is an evil Book written by an Evil Prophet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfb9p3qSRqA

‘God is not against building walls!’ The sermon Trump heard from Robert Jeffress before his inauguration. https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/sarah-pulliam-bailey/?utm_term=.5fbe3beef79a

In defense of Islam – http://www.dallasnews.com/news/news/2010/09/19/In-defense-of-Islam-pursuing-9397

Sura Kafirun – http://worldmuslimcongress.org/sura-kafirun-un-believers-a-chapter-in-quran-about-civil-dialogue-and-pluralism/

Pastor Robert Jeffress story – http://www.QuraanConference.com

Facebook.com/MikeGhouse Twitter.com/MikeGhouse

God Bless America!

Mike Ghouse is committed to build a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him at the Center for Pluralism

Evil Senate Majority will bring more evil to America

Mike Ghouse September 21, 2020 Comments Off

This article was first Published on 02/08/2017 12:27 am at – : https://www.huffpost.com/entry/evil-senate-majority-will-bring-more-evil-to-america_b_589aaa48e4b0985224db5bea

This form of government has guaranteed her citizens their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our system of checks and balances has given us stability, peace and prosperity for over 240 years. We are the only nation on the earth with such a long history of stable governance, because it derives its powers from the consent of the governed.

We, the people are concerned about such stability under Trump ‘regime’ that feels ‘entitled’ to rule at their whim, rather than follow rule of the law.

The declaration of Independence continues, “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. “ Indeed, it is our duty to protect our nation from being taken and we have failed the nation and for that we are going to pay a big price.

When President Obama had the majority in House and the Senate, he signed the Affordable Care Act. There was not a single Republican support for the Act and for that it has gone through the circus for the last 6 years! Had Obama sought and received Republican support even if it was not needed, then his legacy would have sustained for the common good of Americans.

When President Bush had the majority in House and the Senate, he unilaterally went to war with Iraq and Afghanistan. There was no significant opposition from the gutless congressmen or the Senators and it that ruined our country and brought death and destruction to the innocent people of Iraq and Afghanistan and a disaster to us, the Americans. Shame on us for our gutlessness, our government was not the government of the people; it was the government of Bush and Cheney and we paid a price.

Now, President Trump is in the same evil spot as the other two, and I am afraid more evil is coming to America.

The Hill reports, “By unanimous consent, the Republicans gathered in the hearing room and agreed to change the committee’s standing rules, which normally require at least one member of each party to be in attendance for committee work to proceed.” This does not bode well, this is evil.

Mitch McConnell is shameless to the bone; he refused to hold the hearings for President Obama’s nominee Judge Merrick Garland for the Supreme Court. Bad things happen to America not because of evil men, but the silence of good for nothing Republican Senators.

Now, the Chickens have come home to roost. Wait, the evil is compounding here. The Republicans Senators are changing the rules to subvert the process of nominations. They are digging their own graves for 2018. We need to mark this against all those eager senators who are subverting the process. Each one of them will be held accountable for their actions.

I am an Independent voter, and it saddens me to see the ‘monkey see monkey do’ thing going on with our elected irresponsible officials. We are going to find independents to start representing us against each one of the Senators if their nominee makes a mess out of his or her job. There is no doubt, some of them are good, but I am concerned about the bad apples.

President Trump may get away cancelling the Executive Orders of the previous president, but his turn will come in four years and he will regret it, but it will be too late. He has got some sadistic advisors who enjoy being a pain to fellow Americans. What happened to his common sense now?

As Americans, we need to become Guardians of Democracy; we cannot trust some of these men and women. I urge the good ones in the house – both Republicans and Democrats to speak up and not get bullied.

President Obama, in his last speech spoke about the important role of citizens and how all Americans have a responsibility to be the guardians of our democracy–not just during an election but every day.

“As an American citizen who cares deeply about our country, if there are issues that have less to do with the specifics of some legislative proposal or battle, but go to core questions about our values and our ideals, and if I think that it’s necessary or helpful for me to defend those ideals, then I’ll examine it when it comes,” Obama said.

As American Citizens, we need to demand from the Republican Senators not to slam dunk the nominees – let there be a rigorous process. After all we are selecting the men and women who can mess up America or bring peace and prosperity. It is time we make our government, a government of the people for the people and not the government of Trump and the whimsical conformist mob of Senators and Congressmen.Popular in the Community

Trump to Speak out against Anti-Semitism and other evils.

Mike Ghouse September 19, 2020 Comments Off

This article was first Published on 02/22/2017 07:08 am at – : https://www.huffpost.com/entry/president-trump-to-speak-out-against-antisemitism-and_b_58ad7d9ae4b0d818c4f0a3dd

SHORTEST LETTER TO PRESIDENT TRUMP

Dear Mr. President, We the people of many faiths and no faith, Christians, Jews, Muslims, LGBT Communities, Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, Bahai’s, Jains, Native Americans, Pagans, Immigrants and fellow Americans are asking you to consider the following or something like it in your next speech.

“Fellow Americans, you chose me to be your President, and now help me do the right thing. Listen carefully, stop those ‘few’ guys who are a threat to fellow Americans, particularly the bomb threats against the Jewish Community Centers which is not acceptable. We will hunt them down and punish them accordingly. Stop the radicals from harassing the Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Immigrants, African Americans or any one for that matter, the actions of those few are a bad reflection on my administration. I will not tolerate any one messing with fellow Americans under my Presidency, neither should you? Stop them now.

I want an America where no one has to live in apprehension or fear of the other.”

Standing up for Jews: http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/02/standing-up-with-jews.html

Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916, President Center for Pluralism Mike@CenterforPluralism.com http://www.CenterforPluralism.com

Who Speaks for American Mainstream Muslims?

Mike Ghouse September 19, 2020 Comments Off

This article was first Published on 03/17/2017 01:34 pm at – : https://www.huffpost.com/entry/who-speaks-for-american-mainstream-muslims_b_58cc16d6e4b0537abd957036

The overwhelming majority of Muslims are moderate. However, there are not enough speakers out there to articulate what these Muslims actually believe and practice, and their significant contributions to America.

Those who had a morally corrupt agenda filled the gap and spoke negatively about Islam. Unfortunately, their version became the currency and so many Americans fell for it in the absence of the right information.

Everyone wants to see a cohesive America where no one has to live in apprehension, tension or fear each other. The Center for Pluralism, also known as the America Together Foundation has embarked on a mission to train speakers to deliver the message of Islam, as practiced by American Muslims ―which is distinct from Islam practiced elsewhere in the world.

There is no doubt that a few “Islamophobes” are out to get Muslims; they are well paid to do so. But in the same vein, Muslims would not be well served to believe that “all of them” are of the same ilk. These Islamophobes are simply afraid of what the “Islamists” are doing in the name of Islam and worried sick about its ramifications for America. Rationally they know it is not in America, but still the phobia persists.

We have an obligation to listen to our fellow citizens and a moral duty to allay their fears.

Pulitzer Prize winner Judith Miller speaks out on Fox News, “It is the fear that so many Muslims who are moderates, the fear they have of speaking out and the reaction of their own community. Until we win that battle inside, the Jihadists will take center stage. We are going to go on creating the impression that the Islamists Jihadists are the majority and they are not.” Brigitte Gabrielle of Act for America adds, “Where are the funders of people like Mike – is there not a mega millionaire in the Islamic world who can say, you know what I believe in your moderate message and can give Mike $5 Million dollars to build the grass root organization?” Here is a video: https://www.facebook.com/MikeGhouse/videos/1438210749532124/.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1438210749532124&extid=yBri3iqi8xMJjy12

Mike Ghouse

The right leaning Muslims curse Gabrielle, Spencer and Geller out, while the left discounts them, leaving the moderates to deal with the issue. What I hear them say is simply this: Where are the mainstream Muslims to speak out about what they practice? The mainstream Muslims have reached the point of zero tolerance towards extremism and have the desire to assertively seek to push the literalists to see the essence of Islam.

The most sustainable way to counter Islamophobia and violent extremism is through education. Our programs are designed to bring Americans together; the more we see each other in social, cultural, civic, religious, political and other settings, the less divisiveness there will be, resulting in fewer misunderstandings and misperceptions between us.

This is the Islam of Moderate Muslims

Muslims are not arrogant and do not reject the validity of other spiritual paths. They believe that Islam is one of the many spiritual paths that bring support to an individual in dealing with the difficulties of life.

The Quran is a book of guidance to restore harmony within oneself, and harmony with others through a variety of values listed below.

Moderate Muslims are mainstream Muslims; they have no barriers between them and God’s creation. They are free from prejudice towards others.

They have an inherent sense of equality with respect to men and women.

They do not flaunt their religion at every opportunity. They will seldom say you will go to hell.

Social life is easy with them, they mix and mingle. They will go to a bar with you, and while you drink alcohol, they will quietly drink water or soda and not make a production out of their religion. If you invite them for dinner, they quietly eat what suits them and you don’t have to be stressed out about what to cook for them. They appreciate it if you are conscious that Muslims don’t eat pork products.

They are not hell bent on converting or missionizing others, as they see other paths as equally valid. They will not engage in the upmanship battle either.

As most White, Black, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh or Christian parents do, Muslim parents will neither compel their children to observe religion strictly, nor do they throw fits if their kids marry outside their faiths. Personalizing faith is an America value!

Most Muslims may not even talk about religion, it is not important to them, what is important is knowing and caring for their neighbors and respecting and honoring fellow beings, consistent with the Golden Rule.

Sharia is not coming to America nor do American Muslims want the kind of Public Sharia practiced in Saudi Arabia and Iran. American Muslims believe in personal Sharia – that is how you pray, fast, share what you have, care for fellow humans. Let’s “clear the air” of misunderstandings for all Americans. We need to put this fear behind us and focus on prosperity and living our lives. American Muslims uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our American Constitution. Our faith reinforces the idea of one nation with liberty and justice for all.

These characteristic accurately describe the vast majority of mainstream American Muslims. They quietly practice their faith; and don’t feel the need to make a show of their religion.

The process of telling the American Muslim story has begun. It started with Sean Hannity of Fox News – he was the first one to bring a mainstream Muslims on his show. Before that, Muslims were usually represented by bearded men wearing religious costumes. Let me clarify, the beard and Hijab are not the determinants of one’s moderation or religiosity, they are cultural in nature and are a personal choice.

Gone are the days when you were not Muslim enough to speak about Islam if you did not wear the beard or hijab; did not throw in a ton of Arabic phrases; and did not wear some exotic sort of symbolic body and head covering associated with Islam.

What Islam is not is ruling others or compelling others to believe against their will. The Quran is clear on that, no one bears the burdens of others and no one is responsible for other’s actions. What Islam is, is freedom to believe as you will, and freedom to choose between right and wrong. And it is very much about taking responsibility for one’s words and actions.

American Islam is minding your own faith, and letting others mind theirs.

Islam is about spirituality – that is, becoming one with nature (God) where all walls fall that divide you from the others.

Islam is pluralism – that is, respecting the otherness of others and accepting the God-given uniqueness of each one of us. You’ll learn all about this in our class, replete with references from the Quran and the prophet’s practices. It simply can’t get more authentic than that!

The New Breed of Muslim Speakers

Nothing will change without intention and effort. If we wish for speakers who reflect the values of the majority, we have to find and encourage them.

Fortunately, we have begun this process.

We teach the traditional five pillars of Islam, which are the personal aspect of Islam and a part of being a Muslim. But our focus is on the major part of being a Muslim, and that is the practices and values that contribute towards building cohesive societies.

The following values are taught: First Amendment, responsibility and accountability, truthfulness, justice, forgiveness, caring for fellow beings, humility, equality, and pluralism, freedom of speech, harmony, and civil dialogue. In a nutshell, this is Islam.

Many people, and many Muslims themselves, have been hungry for speakers who spoke about the values of Islam, and now we have taken the first step towards it.

We have just completed the first course, held in metro Washington, DC. Subject to funding, the next course will be a three weekend 15 hours course to be held in May 2017 also in DC. The training is open to people of all faiths, and indeed, at least one non-Muslim has already completed it. Anyone with the knowledge of good universal human values and a heart for harmony within the human family can pick up the training and speak for Islam, the American Islam.

If you are looking for speakers on Islam, we have a good lineup available. They graduated from the Muslim Speakers training program and are ready to speak on the values of Islam, the values that contribute towards making the world a better place for every human being. They speak of Islam as it is, the inclusive Islam practiced by contemporary American Muslims.

Thanks to the support from Montgomery County Muslim Foundation, Muslim Community Center of Silver Spring and American Muslim Institution for the sponsorship of the respective classes. We also thank Imam Faizul Khan (Rituals), Imam Ali Siddiqui (History), Imam Dain Abdul-Fattah Johnson (Hadith), Nathan Walker (Fist Amendment), Falah Shams (Denominations), Rabia Baig (Youth), Alejandro Beutel (Radicalization & CVE), Haris Tarin (Terrorism,), Katherine Kerr (Media Training) and Mike Ghouse (Quran, Pluralism, Sharia, Islamophobia, Islamic Values) who put the program together.

Here is a statement from each of six graduates about what they can speak about.

Charles Stevenson: “I can speak as a Catholic friend of Islam and as a childhood son of Northern Virginia’s rural American South, and as a citizen passionate about building an American future built on the rocklike foundation of harmony in diversity.”

Rina Hafiz: “I am a bridge of understanding to help other cross over and experience the view points of both the west and Islam. I’ve loved and enjoyed the diversity having lived on both sides of the globe; I am an American, a soccer mom and a Muslim woman who feels empowered by my faith.”

Rashed Hasan: I can speak as an American Muslim Professional, who studied engineering at MIT and business at The Wharton School, and have taken a deep dive into the Qur’an to understand Islam at its core in terms of values and principles, not just rituals. I am currently publishing a series – Removing the Middleman – putting values and principles from the Qur’an in the context of our contemporary lives and societies. It will give you a sense of what to expect when I speak about Islam, religious plurality and our common humanity for our generation.

Fatima Argun: I can speak about the value of diversity in today’s America and why it is important for shaping cohesive, collaborative and resilient communities. To that end, interfaith dialogue and true understanding of those in a community that are different than oneself is at the heart of creating a more harmonious, peaceful world.

Shagufta Hasan: “I can speak on how it was to grow up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh as a young Muslim girl, and later as a mother helping my children understand and navigate the challenges of their adolescent lives and guiding them to focus on the values and morals that are taught in Islam to become a good human being.”

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Mike Ghouse is the president and executive director of the Center for Pluralism. An interfaith, pluralism and a Muslim Speaker, thinker, writer, organizer, human rights activists, newsmaker and a pluralist committed to building cohesive societies with a belief that what is good for Muslims has got to be good for the world and vice versa to sustain peace, harmony and prosperity. He is a conflict mitigater and a goodwill nurturer offering pluralistic solutions to Media on issues of the day. http://www.mikeghouse.net/

https://twitter.com/MikeGhouse https://twitter.com/PluralismCenter https://www.facebook.com/MikeGhouse/ #Sean Hannity, #Fox News, Judith Miller, Brigitte Gabrielle,

Republican John Findlay needs to apologize to Virginia Muslims

Mike Ghouse September 18, 2020 Comments Off

This article was first Published on 03/24/2017 02:11 pm at – : https://www.huffpost.com/entry/republican-john-findlay-needs-to-apologize-to-virginia_b_58d55ee8e4b06c3d3d3e6d4c

I was sick of the extremists among Muslims hijacking Islam, and the long battle to wrest public relations out of them continues till this day, the American Muslims have nearly succeeded and a few more steps are needed to be taken to be a free people. American Muslims take pride in living in the land of the free and the brave.

Freedom is the center piece of our civilization, the American civilization, and we will fight tooth and nail to preserve the freedom of speech, freedom of worship and freedom to assemble. We believe it is our inalienable right.

The moderates in all religious groups are aligning themselves with the common values of America by honoring life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and continually appreciating the hospitality and encouragement from fellow Americans to be one nation.

That is normal people in normal circumstances. However, there are some who are not normal beings and our freedom nourishes them as well. The ‘hijacking’ business and the battle to wrest control out of the extremists continues not only in Islam, but in all faiths and politics as well. I pray for the moderate majority of Republicans to reign in on the extremists among their party or drown their voices with common sense.

Who are the extremists? It is those who disdain reason and logic and consider these two values as the useless crutches of the weak. Facts don’t matter to them. So, here comes John Findlay, the executive director of the Virginia State GOP and makes the following statement.

“The Republican Party of Virginia does not object to politicians visiting mosques, in fact our own Chairman visited a Muslim house of worship quite recently,” John Findlay, executive director of the state GOP, said in written statement. “However, the Party does object to Mark Herring holding an event at a center with an extensive and well-documented history with anti-American terrorists.”

This defies common sense.

The Dar al Hijrah Mosque in Falls Church is a place of worship that welcomes people of all faiths regardless of their race, gender or religion. Places of worship are visited by great people as well as scoundrels, so this place of worship is no exception.

A place of worship does not become sacred because a saint visits, nor does it get desecrated because a criminal visits the place. Indeed, all criminals should visit and seek repentance and forgiveness in the house of God. Anwar Awalaki was the man who visited this Mosque and gave a few sermons, he was not a criminal then, but when he left the Mosque and got brainwashed by Al-Qaida gang elsewhere he became radicalized and thanks to Obama for taking him down without any collateral damage.

What I suggest John Findlay is to visit the Mosque and listen to the sermons. I visit this Mosque a few times a year, and enjoy listening to the pluralistic inclusive sermons delivered by Imam Johari and others. They also hold frequent interfaith luncheon meetings and I love the diversity of people who join in for lunch. This is the kind of teaching we want in the places of worship. They don’t teach chaos, they teach how to integrate and build a cohesive America, so the job of Governors, Mayors and Police Chiefs becomes easy.

The American Muslims have nearly succeeded in getting rid of extremists from among them, and they need encouragement and not disparaging remarks from fellow Americans. American Muslims have the lowest crime rates of any kind among them and eventually they will be one of the few exemplary communities to model after. They will be the greatest contributors towards the safety and security of every American.

It is not what John Findlay says that matters, but what the majority of GOP does that matters. Would they slap on his wrist and discourage that kind of talk? Would Findlay apologize to Mark Herring, the Attorney General and the congregation at Dar al Hijrah in particular? In the Islamic faith, the dearest person to God is the one who forgives and the one who seeks apology. As Muslims we would welcome our brother John Findlay to repent by attending a Friday sermon along with the President and key members of the Virginia GOP. We will embrace him.

I further urge to win the support from public by bringing good things to America and by forging alliances to build that one nation under God. We cannot go back to the medieval times by creating chaos and spinning our wheels in managing it. We need to learn to live with others and respect the otherness of others and accept the God given uniqueness of each one of us.

Dr. Mike Ghouse is President and Executive Director of the Center for Pluralism committed to building a cohesive America where no American has to live in tension, apprehension or fear of the other. He is a pluralist, thinker, writer, activist, motivational speaker and a news maker. He offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

#Dar al Hijra, #Mark Herring, # Imam Johari, #John Findlay, https://twitter.com/MikeGhouse, https://facebook.com/MikeGhouse

Untangling United Airlines ugly treatment of a Passenger

Mike Ghouse September 18, 2020 Comments Off

This article was first Published on 04/12/2017 07:35 am at – : https://www.huffpost.com/entry/untangling-united-airlines-ugly-treatment-of-a-passenger_b_58ee0f57e4b081da6ad00950

It was shameful to mistreat a passenger and forcibly evict him out of the plane. Not only was he manhandled, but the ugly crew did not even hear him – he was a Medical Doctor who had to attend the patients in Louisville.

This shameful incident happens frequently in different settings. The United Airlines handled it badly, they forgot the cardinal principle in business that the customer is right, and for this blunder, they are going to pay a price for it. The stock holders will have to demand the CEO to resign or untangle the image of the Airlines.

Solutions.

Thanks to a few passengers who protested the mistreatment, but why didn’t the other passengers speak up? You don’t have to be belligerent, just speak and ask politely to be listened. The problem is with us as a society, it needs to change. We need to be up standers and not bystanders.

Many of you would have spoken up, and I would have too. Last Christmas eve, I spoke out to the police officer near Reagan Airport in Washington for holding and ticketing drivers causing traffic jams at 5 PM. I saw people getting off the Taxis nearly half a mile ahead and running to the Airport with their suit cases to catch the flight. I spoke to the police officer, he did not like it, but he released the traffic instead of relishing giving tickets. I commend him, he was good man lost in the ticket giving frenzy, but did wake up to reason.

All it takes is someone to speak up, and others will come around it.

This reminds me of a few situations where a helpless woman is being raped and the useless humans are watching it instead of rescuing the woman.

Reminds me of a child, who is being abused verbally in the public and no one says a word to the abuser.

Reminds me of a guy who stood up against a bully in the subway who was taunting a couple for saying happy Rosh Hashanah.

Reminds me of the Holocaust, an indelible image pasted on my heart, mind and soul where the Jewish people were told to stand in front of a pit to be shot into it. They endured humility and the pain with dignity, they silently quizzed to the people around the world – you are not going to do anything about it? The humanity betrayed them; let’s take a pledge again and again to never ever let this happen to an individual or a group of people.

If we want a better world where fellow humans are treated with dignity, we have to speak up. If you don’t stand up for others, why should anyone stand up for you?

We have to seek new regulations – this is not acceptable. What if the guy was a Hispanic, Black or a Muslim Imam wearing beard and his customary religious clothes? Would a few have rejoiced it? Felt that the man was entitled to abuse? Should you be treated like that? Unless we speak, nothing will change. Being American is being just, being kind and standing up for the rights of others.

We have to take the lead in situations like this and invoke the best in people around us.

Related: United Airlines CEO apologizes for violently removing a passenger for the plane – https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2017/04/11/amid-pr-fiasco-over-dragged-passenger-united-ceo-defends-his-crew/?utm_term=.33a42718f2a8

Holocaust and the Muslim Guy – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/holocaust-and-the-muslim-_b_4629509.html

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Female Genital Mutilation, A Doctor Caught Practicing In Michigan

Mike Ghouse September 18, 2020 Comments Off

This article was first Published on 04/14/2017 10:15 am at – : https://www.huffpost.com/entry/female-genital-mutilation-a-muslim-doctor-caught-practicing_b_58f0d893e4b0156697224e80

TODAY’S STORY – A Female Doctor was caught in Michigan cutting female genitals. By the way, it was legal in the United States till 1996. Quite a lot of research is done on the topic and the links are at World Muslim Congress.

Cults have their own secret practices, and anything secretive ends up being a cult. It is controlled by one live person, usually male, and they are small private groups who live rights amongst us.

In the disappearing patriarchal societies, men controlled how women should live. These men did not believe women should enjoy sexual pleasures, so they decided to cut the female part of the genitalia that gives them pleasure. The Europeans placed chastity belt on women so they remain untouched by other men.

Here is my theory – these men are impotent – they are bang-slam thank-you-Ma’m kind of men, they did not want their women to know about the joys of sexual pleasure that both men and women can equally have, and they reduced her to the role of procreation. The European men chose the belt, so the women will never know the joys of sexual pleasure while they are out in the wars looting and robbing others.

These cults are found among Christians, Muslims, Hindus and other traditions. Most of these cults are vanishing, however, there are still some out there.

In India and China, shamelessly, even today female infanticide is common. A female baby is a curse to these cults and many families abort the babies, you hear it often among Hindus, Muslims and others. Please beware, it is not a religious practice, neither Islam nor Hinduism will tolerate this, but the secret practice is around.

The Bohra Community among Muslims believes in Female Genital Mutilation, not all of them do, and it is a new thing to disobey their chief and the dissent is growing among them. Several years ago, I wrote to the late Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, head of the group to simply issue one single Farman (directive) to put an end to the practice among that community. There are petitions going on now to no avail. But it is coming to an end soon, all bad things have to come to an end. Cults are all about money, as their small community disintegrates, and the donations start dwindling, the new chief will come to senses. God willing, I will write another article and seek active support from Muslims around the world to get out and condemn this practice and I hope the Christians and others do their part as well..

The Gift of Easter to Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Others – He is risen,hasn’t He?

Mike Ghouse September 17, 2020 Comments Off

This article was first Published on 04/15/2017 11:26 am at – : https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-gift-of-easter-to-christians-jews-muslims-hindus_b_58f23962e4b04cae050dc79c

While 2,000 plus Easters have come and gone, has he really risen yet? Risen within us that is? I hope and pray that each of us will let Christ rise and shine through us, so we can allow him to use us to bring about a change that we are all yearning; a world where all of God’s children are respected and honored. Happy Easter!

Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Homophobia, xenophobia and other ills are preventing us from realizing the elusive dream of kingdom of heaven on this earth. Maybe he wants us to take on the task with his blessings. May the Golden rule be our guiding light, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matt. 7:12).

Taly Krupkin wrote in Haaretz, “What started as a few isolated anti-Semitic tweets suggesting that Jared Kushner should be ‘fired’ because of his ‘Jewish supremacist views’ has quickly metastasized into a full-blown onslaught of anti-Semitic hate speech,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “It shows how quickly hate speech can multiply and come to light on social media platforms, and reminds us of how much work we need to do to combat hate.”

Indeed, we will make the effort and he will be with us every step of the way.

The Anti-Semitism expressed in the form of hatred for Jews is as old as Jesus’ existence on the earth. The time is long past due to reconcile our differences and create a cohesive world where no human has to live in apprehension or fear of the other.

Jesus was a rebel Jew. He went against the norms and traditions prevalent at that time. The punishment for such acts was to hang him high in open fields, indeed the Romans asked the Jewish community what to do with him, and they prescribed the cross, so he was crucified. They did not hang a Christian; they hung their own man who was a Jew.

If Jesus had not been crucified Christianity probably would have never come into existence. It was his disciples that were first called Christians in Antioch as they spread Jesus’ message and his resurrection (Acts 11:26). But over time Jesus’ message of death and resurrection, his message of hope and deliverance, and his message of forgiveness was lost to our own egos and thus anti-Semitism spread.

It was difficult to watch little kids’ holding placards “Christ Killer” and I have watched Pastor Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church and his minions demonstrate their hate towards Jews and others.

HOLOCAUST SURIVOR MIKE JACOBS AND MIKE GHOUSE PRAYED FOR PASTOR FRED PHELPS, FORGIVE HIM LORD FOR HE KNOWS NOT

I have stood with Jews at the Holocaust Museum and pulled together the Holocaust survivors and prayed – to forgive Fred Phelps for he knows not, just as Jesus forgave those who knew not. I marched to seven different Jewish places including Synagogues, Jewish Schools, and Jewish Post and of course the Holocaust Museum.

The sparks of Anti-Semitism flare up causing tensions, they are not going to die, until we face them squarely and not blame the Jews for what happened to Jesus.

A majority of Christians understood the message of the man from Nazareth, they believe that the key components of building cohesive societies are forgiving and loving others. However, it saddens me that a few did not get that message and have never learned to love their neighbor and enjoy the benefits of tranquility and peace of mind that comes through forgiveness.

The world needs to squarely face major conflicts between Jews and Christians (Crucifixion of Jesus), Muslims and Christians (Son of a God v. the Prophet), Jews and Muslims (900 Jews were executed per the Jewish tradition) and Hindus versus Christians and Muslims (Conversions) and Native Americans v. Christians (Conversions). We have allowed these resentments to tear each other apart, how irresponsible is it to keep passing these conflicts to next the generation. It has to stop and we have to leave a better world for the next generation than pass the problems to them.

If we can learn to respect the otherness of others and accept the God-given uniqueness in each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. We believe knowledge leads to understanding and understanding to acceptance of others.

At the Center for Pluralism we appeal to the humanity in each of us to understand the message of Jesus and remove the ill-will, resentment and hatred for each other. Let’s rise with a new mind set on the occasion of Easter.

Happy Easter, let this Easter renew our spirits. As a Muslim, I have been participating in Easter and I urge fellow humans of all faiths to at least join our Christian brothers and sisters on Easter and likewise participate in the Passover Seders with Jewish families. You don’t have to worship what they worship, but you can be there with them to honor them for whom they are. As fellow members of the family of faiths, we can all practice reconciliation and forgiveness as Jesus would if he were here today.

Related Articles

A Muslim Celebrates Easter http://centerforpluralism.com/a-muslim-pluralist-celebrates-easter-2/

Standing up with Jews http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/standing-up-for-jews-gays_b_650167.html

Anti-Semitism out of hiding http://www.haaretz.com/us-news/1.782706

High Hopes with Pope Francis http://centerforpluralism.com/why-jewish-muslim-and-hindu-leaders-have-high-hopes-for-pope-francis/

This article is a reviewed and edited by Dr. Karen Hollie Thibodeaux and Sam Madden and written by Dr. Mike Ghouse, all with the Center for Pluralism. Dr. Mike Ghouse is President and Executive Director of the Center for Pluralism committed to building a cohesive America where no American has to live in tension, apprehension or fear of the other. He is a pluralist, thinker, writer, activist, motivational speaker and a news maker. He offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him in 65 links at www.MikeGhouse.net

A Happy Interfaith Mother’s Day To All The Mothers!

Mike Ghouse September 17, 2020 Comments Off

This article was first Published on 05/12/2017 07:12 pm at – : https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mothers-day-interfaith-to-all-the-mothers_b_59163e48e4b0bd90f8e6a54a

Happy Interfaith Mother’s Day to all the single mothers!

I appreciate all the mothers who have raised their kids well, particularly the single mothers and single fathers. Getting them ready to go to school and juggling between taking them to different playgrounds, day care, and work is not easy.

There is a lot of sacrifice made by single mothers and single fathers who are also a mother their kids. No amount of appreciation will be enough. Whatever you are today, it is because of your mother. In the following essay, I will share a few personal examples of the struggle mothers go through, and how you can appreciate them, which in turn brings you a blissful life.

Mother is the ultimate definition of selflessness! No matter what happens to the world or even her, she is there for you in your need; she recognizes your need much before you even know it. Of course, every day is Mother’s Day, and each one of us honors her in a variety of ways. Just giving her a smile, a thank you, and caring to do things for her makes her happy and feel appreciated.

Mothers don’t need a whole lot; they just need to know that you care. Remember, you were showered with her attention when you needed it.

A majority of us are fortunate to have the love and affection of a mother to bless our lives. However, we cannot forget the pain and anguish of men and women who were not blessed with a loving mother. I assure you that you are a blessed one to have made it in life without a mother’s love, and since you missed it, it is time for you to give that love to others and restore the spirit of love within you.

I am pleased to acknowledge and appreciate a few people that I know; from my ex-wife Ella to the people I happen to know. What is common to all of them is they remained devoted to raising their children and sacrificed their own lives for the good of their children. My sister raised her two kids to be responsible kids. Ella raised our boy and girl that we both are proud of, and they turned out to be good citizens and are leading a good life of their own. My daughter in law is a darn good mother to her two boys, she is incredible and I wish I had raised my kids like her.

My Grandmother raised my father and aunt when she became a widow at Sixteen and never took any one’s help and raised her kids working day and night, remaining single all her life until she was Ninety-eight. She was an independent woman with a lot of self-respect and dignity. Najma raised her three daughters all on her own. Yasmeen raised her daughter as a mother, father and everything. Iffy raised her sons to be a Lawyer, Engineer and a Doctor. Idli-wali in my home town Yelahanka raised her son to be one of the greatest engineers in India, and here in Virginia Marianne has raised her two beautiful daughters to be independent women and my list keeps growing. I salute them all for their sacrifices and admire them for their achievements.

A person who is not grateful, and has not learned to express gratitude is seriously handicapped in living a full life. He or she will miss out a lot, but they can change it, it is their choice to express gratitude. It’s time to express gratitude to our mothers; it restores the spiritual balance in each one of us. In my case, on every Mothers day, I pray and write a tribute to my mother and this is dedicated to her and all the single mothers.

I had a radio show way back in the mid-Nineties and on Mother’s day, I took live calls for three hours. Every one of the callers cried talking about his or her late mother and I burst out crying, not only that year but every year I did the show and I never attempted to stop myself from crying, it was worth it for my Mother. When I visit India every fourth or fifth year, my first stop straight from the airport is at my Mother’s grave and damn it, I feel the sentiment as I am typing this line.

Life is about transactions. Each time we receive a “good” we become indebted to the giver, but when we give back to the giver or find alternate ways of giving back, i.e., expressing gratitude and apologizing for the short comings. When we do that, we regain our spiritual balance, bringing us salvation, nirvana, mukti, moksha, nijaat and freedom. Try it and see the good it does to you.

If you have tensions with her, seek her forgiveness today. If she is not around, spend half an hour meditating about her and see the sense of completeness you feel within you.

Every religious tradition has elevated mother to nearly the status of God, because she possess many a qualities of God; kindness, merciful, beneficent and caring among thousand other qualities. Mother is the reason for our existence; sustenance, nurturance and shaping who we are. I dedicate this write-up to my Mother, and all the Mothers out there. There is a beautiful song in Urdu/Hindi language

Us ko nahin dekha hum ne kabhi, per us ki zaroorat kya hogi

Ai maa teri soorat say alag bhagwan ki soorat kya hogi.

I have not seen him (God) ever, but what is the need for it? Dear Mother, your face cannot be different than God’s own face

Here is the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HbmbO0b-Sc&feature=youtu.be

Thanks to this beautiful tradition of America, a day to honor all Mothers. No mother should be alone today; someone or the other must give her a call.

RELIGIONS ON MOTHER

In the native traditions, be it American, European, African, or Asian, Mother is creator in the form of mother Earth.

Christianity and Judaism: “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God will give you. In Jewish tradition, your heritage is determined by your Mother, you are a Jew because of your mother.

“Diverse images of what are believed to be Mother Goddesses also have been discovered that date from the Neolithic period, the New Stone Age, which ranges from approximately 10,000 BCE when the use of wild cereals led to the beginning of farming, and eventually, to agriculture.” Wikipedia

The Baha’i faith, “For mothers are the first educators, the first mentors; and truly it is the mothers who determine the happiness, the future greatness, the courteous ways and learning and judgment, the understanding and the faith of their little ones.”

In the Hindu tradition Mother is worshiped and is represented in many attributes like Ma Saraswati (source of knowledge), Ma Lakshmi (source of income) and the likes… Mother’s face is equated with God’s face, a song celebrates Mother by saying, if I have seen your face mother, and I have seen God.

Sikh’s consider God as a parent, a mother and a father. Guru Granth Sahib advises “Always remember the boundless, limitless God, remembering whom all our sins are destroyed. My son, this is a mother’s prayer for you.”

Prophet Muhammad was asked by his associates, who are the most important person in one’s life – he says, “Mother”; they ask again, the answer was “Mother again” and same response was given for the third time, such is the importance given to mother. He said, your heaven, your paradise and your peace of mind comes to you by serving your mother.

You will find mother is placed at the highest spiritual level in all religions or non-religious traditions and life forms. Those who have a mother to see, you are the blessed one, those who don’t, you have her blessings.

“Paradise is under the feet of your mother” is the mantra probably every Muslim recites and it is part of Hindu, Sikh, Jain and South Asian culture as well. The idea is of gratitude, if you are grateful to you mother, then you would be grateful to the creator and other benefactors around you.

In 2001, my Mother passed away in one of the most beautiful manners one could embark on, the eternal journey; a clean slate with no loose ends. She was incredible; she tied all the loose ends before she took her last breath, she called every one and cleared the air and said goodbye that was the biggest lesson of my life; to tie the loose ends. The Jain tradition calls it Michami Dukadam.

I guess, all of us kids and her grand kids turned out that way; boundless. No barriers between us and another soul and our relationships have always been multi-cultural and multi-religious. Thanks Mom for pounding those values in our hearts and minds.

MOTHER IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

I called my mother, “Amma” and at times “Ammi” while addressing her it was Ma.

Afrikaans – Moeder, Ma
Albanian – Nënë, Mëmë
Arabic – Ahm, umm
Aragones – Mai
Asturian – Ma
Aymara – Taica
Azeri (Latin Script) – Ana
Basque – Ama
Belarusan -Matka
Bergamasco – Màder
Bolognese – Mèder
Bosnian- Majka
Brazilian Portuguese- Mãe
Bresciano- Madèr
Breton – Mamm
Bulgarian – Majka
Byelorussian – Macii
Calabrese – Matre, Mamma
Caló – Bata, Dai
Catalan – Mare
Cebuano – Inahan, Nanay
Chechen – Nana
Croatian- Mati, Majka
Czech- Abatyse
Danish – Mor
Dutch – Moeder, Moer
Dzoratâi – Mére
English- Mother, Mama, Mom
Esperanto- Patrino, Panjo
Estonian- Ema
Faeroese- Móðir
Finnish- Äiti
Flemish- Moeder
French- Mère, Maman
Frisian- Emo, Emä, Kantaäiti, Äiti
Furlan- Mari
Galician- Nai
German – Mutter
Greek – Màna
Griko – Salentino, Mána
Hawaiian – Makuahine
Hindi – Ma, Maji, Mata
Hungarian – Anya, Fu
Icelandic – Móðir
Ilongo – Iloy, Nanay, Nay
Indonesian – Induk, Ibu, Biang, Nyokap
Irish – Máthair
Italian – Madre, Mamma
Japanese – Okaasan, Haha
Judeo Spanish- Madre
Kannada -Amma
Kurdish Kurmanji – Daya
Ladino – Uma
Latin – Mater
Leonese – Mai
Ligurian- Maire
Limburgian – Moder, Mojer, Mam
Lingala- Mama
Lithuanian- Motina
Lombardo- Occidentale Madar
Lunfardo- Vieja
Macedonian – Majka
Malagasy- Reny
Malay- Emak
Maltese- Omm
Mantuan- Madar
Maori- Ewe, Haakui
Mapunzugun – Ñuke, Ñuque
Marathi – Aayi
Mongolian – `eh
Mudnés- Medra, mama
Neapolitan – Mamma
Norwegian- Madre
Occitan – Maire
Old Greek – Mytyr
Parmigiano- Mädra
Persian- Madr, Maman
Piemontese – Mare
Polish- Matka, Mama
Portuguese – Mãe
Punjabi – Mai, Mataji, Pabo
Quechua- Mama
Rapanui -Matu’a Vahine
Reggiano – Mèdra
Romagnolo – Mèder
Romanian – Mama, Maica
Romansh – Mamma
Russian -Mat’
Saami -Eadni
Samoan – Tina
Sardinian- (Limba Sarda Unificada) Mama
Sardinian -Campidanesu mamai
Sardinian- Logudoresu Madre, Mamma
Serbian – Majka
Shona – Amai
Sicilian – Matri
Slovak – Mama, Matka
Slovenian- Máti
Spanish – Madre, Mamá, Mami
Swahili— Mama, Mzazi, Mzaa
Swedish Mamma, Mor, Morsa
Swiss German -Mueter
Telegu- Amma
Triestino – Mare
Turkish – Anne, Ana, Valide
Turkmen -Eje
Ukrainian – Mati
Urdu -Ammee, Maa, Amma
Valencian – Mare
Venetian – Mare
Viestano – Mamm’
Vietnamese- me
Wallon -Mére
Welsh – Mam
Yiddish -Muter
Zeneize -Moæ

Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day- all about him at www.MikeGhouse.net and www.Centerforpluralism.com

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Is Ramadan Different For American Muslims?

Mike Ghouse September 17, 2020 Comments Off

This article was first Published on 05/25/2017 03:38 pm ET at – : https://www.huffpost.com/entry/is-ramadan-different-for-american-muslims_b_5927319ae4b065b396c06b3a

Ramadan Mubarak! Insha’Allah, the first fast day of Ramadan will begin on Saturday, May 27, 2017 in the United States, Canada and the Americas.

Is Ramadan different for different Muslims? What does Ramadan for American Muslims mean? The title of the essay sounds very divisive, but it is not. Indeed, it is an acknowledgement of the reality that Islam as practiced in America is not the same as practiced elsewhere on the earth. If you see it otherwise, express it in your comments below.

The only way to learn is to question everything and understand it. Over the years, I have been blessed with immense confidence in the religion of Islam, and I say without batting an eye, “ If it is not common sense, then it is not Islam.”

Remember, Allah, Muhammad (pbuh) and Quran are not going to disappear because you question or criticize them. The more you question, the more knowledgeable you would become and that boosts your confidence in your faith. I would rather see a confident Muslim than a shaky Muslim who fears that Islam or Quran has flaws and shies away from learning. Part of the Islamophobic scheme is to shake your faith, when you listen to them rather than what Quran says you will lose confidence. You must read at least three translations of Quran to get it right as one of the translations of Quran is wrong – 60 verses have been deliberately mistranslated by Hilali Khan to create ill-will against Jews, Christians and others.

How different are American Muslims from Muslims around the world?

Right off the bat, fatwas do not work in America. In most Muslim nations, when they are unable to debate and discuss, the ill-informed clergy will resort to shutting you down with a fatwa.

Twelve years ago, on my Pluralism Radio show, I said peace to Prophet Muhammad and Peace to Buddha as their birthdays fell in the same week. A clergy who knew not, and his die hard follower approached me and asked me to withdraw the statement about peace to Buddha, as it was not acceptable in Islam. My question to them was whose Islam? They did not get my argument that God called Muhammad, a mercy to mankind, meaning his existence was to build peace, his presence was to create safer communities and he would pray for peace for everyone including the ones who had hurt him. As a follower of the Prophet, my role is to spread peace, think peace, bring peace, talk peace and act peace. The threat they give me was that they will make my marriage with my Muslim wife void. I pulled the Clint Eastwood on them, “Go ahead and make my day” and that was the end of their fatwa. Bullying invariably stops if you stand up firmly.

Thank God for America, the land of free and the brave, and we the American Muslims are free and a brave people and will dare any one with debates and discussions as we have our own version of Islam that we practice and that is the Islam of harmony, coexistence and cohesiveness that Prophet Muhammad had delivered. We don’t believe in the same Islam as they do in Saudi, Iran, Egypt or elsewhere in the world. American Muslims will not cut-off the hands of thieves, American Muslims will never stone an adulteress to death, American Muslims will not harass gays or Lesbians, American Muslims will forgive men like Quran Burning pastor Terry Jones, or Quran bashing Pastor Robert Jeffress and pray for them in the likes of Jesus and Muhammad. American Muslims do not believe in compulsion, they believe everyone is free to become or un-become a Muslim with no consequences, as it between the individual and God and not anyone’s business.

American Muslims believe, “To you is your faith and to me is my faith” says the Quran, and adds, “No one is responsible for other’s actions.” In plain words, mind your own faith. One’s freedom to believe is his or her God-given inalienable right and no one has a right to take that away.

Ramadan for American Muslims is different.

God does not care if you fast or not, but he cares that the world he created with harmony remains harmonious. The world is his property (creation) and he wants to preserve it, and to preserve that he has produced a peace maker, a messenger or a prophet in every community and nation to teach how to live in peace with each other.

God’s law (which is also the Law of physics) is simply this, for a piece of matter or any life to survive, it has to remain in balance or else it will cease to exist. Religion (all religions) is a mechanism to restore that balance in the society so people can trust each other and live securely.

To an American Muslim, Islam is about living in harmony with oneself (physically, spiritually, emotionally and socially) and with what surrounds him or her; life and matter. But it is not the same for Muslims elsewhere in the world, to them Islam is about governance and enforcing the laws they have falsely come to believe as God’s laws. Then you have the nut cases like Talibans, Daesh, Al Shabab, Lashkar-e-Tayaba and other gangs who go against everything Islam stands for. It is is not about justice, then it is not Islam, Period!

To an American Muslim, fasting is one of the mechanisms offered by the creator to seek one’s spiritual, emotional and social harmony. It is a means to become pious or in harmony with nature, whereas fasting is an end itself for most Muslims around the world.

Even though, Piety is believed to be God-conscious, it is understood differently. Piety is allowing God to be with you in your thoughts and actions, to a point you will be God like; just, fair and kind. Is God prejudiced? Does God make a special deal with Muslims behind other’s back or vice-versa? Does God treat a White man any different than a Black man? Does God treat a Muslim better than a non-Muslim?

An American Muslim sees the purpose of observing fasting and praying God is to become God like, that is just, merciful, fair, kind and caring, whereas others see it as a duty to God that needs to be fulfilled ritually.

Islam is crystal clear and emphasizes that there is no compulsion in matters of faith. It means a whole lot to an American Muslim than a Muslim around the world.

An American Muslim will serve food to those who do not observe fast; where as Muslims in other nations are willing to shut down their restaurants depriving access to food to those who do not observe Ramadan. In Saudi Arabia and Iran, their cultural (cannot call it religious) call is to shut down food establishments during the fasting hours amounts to compulsion and goes against the very essence of Islam; freedom.

We are American Muslims, and to be an American and to be a Muslim is to be prejudice free. We invite others Muslims to be like us, in fact that is the Islam taught by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Most American Muslims are free from prejudice and it is expressed well during the month of Ramadan. Many of them have no problem in attending Mosques of different denominations if they are in the area during the time of breaking their fast. That is not the case with Muslims in other parts of the world. The Sunnis and Shias are disgustingly prejudiced towards Ahmadiyya Muslims and among themselves. Ramadan does nothing to them, there is no piety achieved even though they pray and fast the whole month. Dr. Allama Iqbal’s poem was addressed to these dudes – Tujhe kya milega namaaz may? What will you get from prayers if it does not change your attitudes towards fellow humans?

American Muslims have learned that to an extremist with a gun, all Muslims are the same “Alla Akbar” guys. And for Allah, all of us are same on the Day of Judgment, he will not care if you are Ahmadiyya, Shia or Sunni – all he cares is, if you were you good to his creation; fellow humans, animals and the environment. A Man or woman of bad character will be forgiven if he/she quenches the thirst of an animal over a man who prays five times, but is not just towards his wife. These are not the stories to brag about Islam, but to practice them and make them a part of you.

Everything you always wanted to know about Ramadan and more is at RamadanNews.com. Its spirituality, politics, culture, rituals and how it is celebrated across the world. Browse through hundreds of picture and Ramadan videos and most read article section.

APPEAL TO MUSLIMS

I urge fellow Muslims to make a conscious effort to have an open mind and visit different mosques for Iftaar; from Ahmadiyya, Bohra, Ismaili, Nation of Islam, Shia, Sunni, Sufi, Wahhabi and all the traditions out there. Alhamdu Lillah, I have visited almost all the mosques of Muslim denominations including the three big ones in Mecca, Madinah and Jerusalem. These are chronicled at this website. One of these days, God willing, I will visit Najaf, Karbala, Rabwa and Baghdad as well to proudly say that I am a fully participating part of Muslim community.

If you go to the “Most Read Articles” on the right column of our website RamadanNews.com, you will learn about the essence, spirit, politics, traditions and rituals of Ramadan. Don’t miss out items in the BROWSE section on the right. In the tab “What’s Ramadan” you’ll find basic facts and information about Ramadan. The most important item you’ll find is a suggestion to visit different Mosques for Iftaar if you have more than one Mosque in your town.

To be a Muslim is to be a peace maker, one who seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for peaceful co-existence of humanity. God wants us to live in peace and harmony with his creation; Life and Matter.

May you become pure and a pious one from observance of Ramadan, may God free you from prejudice, bias, hate, ill-will, and may you care for fellow beings regardless of their religion, race or region. Amen!

Mike Ghouse is a Muslim Speaker, thinker and a writer. He is the publisher of www.RamadanNews.com and www.WorldMuslimCongress.org