Press Release: American Muslims Condemn the Mass Shooting in Orlando, Florida

      Comments Off on Press Release: American Muslims Condemn the Mass Shooting in Orlando, Florida

PRESS RELEASE

Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916
Mike@AmericanMuslimInstitution.org
www.AmericanMuslimInstitution.org

American Muslims Condemn the Mass Shooting in Orlando, Florida

Washington, DC, June 12, 2016 – The American Muslim Institution (AMI) is appalled and saddened by the loss of life of 50 fellow Americans in Orlando, Florida earlier today. We strongly condemn the mass shooting at a LGBT club in Orlando, killing 50 and injuring another 50 plus innocent people.
As Americans, we mourn the loss of the lives of innocent men and women, and extend our heart-felt condolences to the families of the victims and the LGBT community.

No human has a right to take other’s life, as Islam’s holy book, the Quran, clearly states: “Whoever kills a person, it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind.”

While the possible motive of this horrific crime is still being investigated, it is clear that it was a hate crime and an act of a terrorism, which must be condemned by all Americans. If we can learn to respect the otherness of others and accept the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.

Violence in the name of religion or ideology has no place in a pluralistic society like ours, and we all have an obligation to work for one America, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

# # #

Obama Refuses to say Radical Islam, why?

      Comments Off on Obama Refuses to say Radical Islam, why?

Let me invite you to reflect on common sense about the phrase Radical Islam.

President Obama is absolutely 100% right on choosing not to use the phrase. Sean Hannity had agreed not to use the phrase either, but he did succumb to the pressures.

Let me make this crystal Clear!

Let me explain how the society functions. If there is a rapist running around in the neighborhood, everyone is apprehensive and makes sure the women folk are guarded and protected, it is a human instinct. When you capture the guy, there is a relief, the trust in the society is restored and everyone starts living their life.

Do you agree?

YES?

In case of the Terrorist, don’t you want to get him?

If you blame the religion, what happens? Not a thing! Society at large remains apprehensive, the orange alert may turn into red alert, but nothing happens.

See, religion is intangible like the air you breathe and you cannot shoot, beat, slaughter, hang, kick or bury the religion, can you?

Do you see my point? Isn’t it dumb to bark?

Guns don’t kill people, nor religions kill people

      Comments Off on Guns don’t kill people, nor religions kill people

RADICAL ISLAM AND PRESIDENT OBAMA
Let me invite you to reflect on common sense about the phrase Radical Islam.

President Obama is absolutely 100% right on choosing not to use the phrase. Sean Hannity had agreed not to use the phrase either, but he did succumb to the pressures.

Let me make this crystal Clear!

Let me explain how the society functions. If there is a rapist running around in the neighborhood, everyone is apprehensive and makes sure the women folk are guarded and protected, it is a human instinct. When you capture the guy, there is a relief, the trust in the society is restored and everyone starts living their life.

Do you agree?

YES?

In case of the Terrorist, don’t you want to get him?

If you blame the religion, what happens? Not a thing! Society at large remains apprehensive, the orange alert may turn into red alert, but nothing happens.

See, religion is intangible like the air you breathe and you cannot shoot, beat, slaughter, hang, kick or bury the religion, can you?

Do you see my point? Isn’t it dumb to bark?

Muslims stand with Gay and Lesbian community

      Comments Off on Muslims stand with Gay and Lesbian community

First of all, I want to assure the Gay and Lesbian Americans that as Muslims, we will stand up with you for your right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

Secondly, you are our friends, neighbors and fellow Americans. You have been a part of my events over thSolidaritywithLGBTe years, and I have participated in your events.

At this time, some of you may be apprehensive of Muslims, and I understand that, but it is time to come together and not let extremists tears us apart, that’s how they weaken us – by dividing us. Let’s not let that happen. We are all Americans and we have to express that through our actions of standing up for each other.

Three videos will be posted by the end of the day – Fox News and two of my video messages to LGBT Community and a Message to Mr. Trump

I have a stellar record of Standing up for fellow Americans of all faith, races, sexual orientation and other uniqueness since 1984. You can Google it out or check the websites www.StandingupforOthers.com, www.TheGhouseDiary.com and www.CenterforPluralism.com

Yes, we have a lot of work on our hands and one of them is education. I have witnessed a lot of harassment and killings of Gays in Oak Lawn area in Dallas. The Christian Pastors have gone berserk about acceptance of GLBT community and same sex marriage as a norm. Not all, but a similar number of Muslim Clerics sound identical to them, including this cleric in Orlando who said it was alright to kill the Gays. We condemn such bad guys.

Here is the challenge for 322 Million of us, we the people, we the Americans including Christians and Muslims.

GOD IS NOT A VILLAIN

Please don’t make God a villain of his own creation, God is about justice, equity, fairness and kindness, he is not a villain. I challenge those few Christian and Muslim God-men to go back and study Bible and the Quran and point to us where God has authorized you to hurt, maim, and kill another human.

I particularly appeal to those few misguided Imams not to act in behalf of God, or his appointed trustee, his deputy or associate. Produce the appointment letter, if not, please go back and not make a villain out of God. I am ready to quote you from the holy Quran – if you have not studied it, it is time to study. Quran says, no one but you is responsible for your deeds, and only God is the Master of the Day of Judgment. Do you want to violate that?

Now coming to my dumb ass friends who are aching to put down the President and others who do not want to use the phrase radical Islam.

Guns don’t kill people, bad people do.
Religions don’t kill people, bad people do.

Let me explain how the society functions. If there is a rapist running around in the neighborhood, everyone is apprehensive and makes sure the women folk are guarded and protected, it is a human instinct. But when you capture the guy, there is a relief, the trust in the society is restored and everyone starts living their life.

If you blame the religion, what happens? Not a thing! Society at large remains apprehensive. Isn’t it dumb and dumber to blame religion – see, you cannot shoot, beat, slaughter, hang, kick or bury the religion, why bark at it? Get some brains and go get the criminal or criminals and don’t bark at the religion.

Guns don’t kill people, neither religions kill people.

At Center for Pluralism, we are committed to build a cohesive America, where no American has to live in apprehension or fear of the other.

Once again, don’t let the Trumps mess up the society and pit one American against the other, let’s nail the bad guys. As we all become integrated, and become one, we will all rise and fall together. Muslims are not the problem, but the criminals are the problem, and they belong to every faith. Think about it, last year 354 Mass murders were committed by fellow Americans, and one was ascribed to a Muslim in San Bernardino, per the rules of proportionality, Muslims should have had 4 massacres on their hand.

Violence should not be acceptable.

I stand with the LGBTQ community in solidarity

Mike GhouseDr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, Interfaith Wedding officiant, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine, motivation, and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him (63 links) at www.TheGhousediary.com

# # # #

TALKING POINTS WITH STUART VARNEY SHOW ON FOX NEWS TODAY

Stuart, thanks for this timely presentation, Gays and Lesbians are my friends, neighbors and my fellow Americans. As a Muslim I have stood up for their rights since 1984, its all at www.StandingupforOthers.com, I have spoken at Universities, Churches and Muslims groups about understanding the LGBT community. GLBT is part of the events we hold and I have been a part of their marches, rallies and fund raisers.

I want to assure my fellow Americans who are Gays and Lesbians today, that as a Muslim, and many Muslims will stand up for their rights to be who they are.

However, together we have to work with a few among Christians and Muslims have mistaken Christianity and Islam and have chosen to make God as their Villain. God is not a villain of his own creation, God is just, kind, merciful and all loving God.

Yes, there are Imams and Pastors who want to kill Gays – my question to the Imams is simply this – Has Allah authorized you

American Muslims Condemn the Florida Massacre at the Gay Club

Washington, DC, June 12, 2016 – American Muslims are appalled with the massacre of fellow Americans in Orlando, Florida. We condemn the extremists who took 50 lives with no hesitation, because they were Gays. No human has a right to take other’s life.

As a nation we mourn the loss of the lives of innocent men and women, and extend our heart-felt condolences to the families of the victims and the LGBT community.

As Americans we have a lot of work to do, it’s unfortunate that the acceptance of LGBT rights has not become universal yet. The conservatives among Christians, Muslims, and others are yet to come to terms with the acceptance.

I am one of the first few Muslims to have started talking about acceptance of the life of LGBT community as a norm, they are one of us; our fellow Americans and he have stood up for the rights of Gays and Lesbians from the early 80’s.

Thanks to Congressman Keith Ellison, who has made clear statements about acceptance of the LGBT Community, and the same goes with the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), the ADAMS center has also taken a similar position.

Six million American Muslims are sick of these few sickos who try to pass the buck on to a religion for their crimes. We should not buy their non-sense. They committed the crimes and they need to be punished.

A fully practicing Muslim recites “God alone is the Master of the Day of Judgment” anywhere from 17 to 51 times a day, and during Ramadan, you can add an additional 22 times. It is indeed and unforgivable sin to act in behalf of God.

All the verses in Quran point out that no one but God has the right to judge, and no one has a right to kill any one unless it is in self defense.

It is time for Muslims to take the message of human rights to masses. God is not the villain of his own creation that the Guardians of religions make it out to be. God has chosen to create humanity into many tribes, nations, races, religions and most certainly we can add sexual orientation to it. This act is the act of a nut case, and Islam does not teach this. Had HE wanted, he would have created all of us alike, but he chose otherwise. If we can learn to respect the otherness of others and accept the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.

# # #

Essence of Ramadan may be traceable in your faith

      Comments Off on Essence of Ramadan may be traceable in your faith

Can Hindus, Christians and Jews connect?

This article tracks the general purpose of religion and how each religion can appeal to people of different faiths.  Religions and festivities came into being to bring people together and not divide them. Here we explore Ramadan, two of the major festivals of Muslims.

Pluralism logoWhether you are an Atheist, Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Native American, Pagan, Shinto, Sikh, Wicca, and Zoroastrian or from any other tradition, you may feel a sense of connection with the spirit of Ramadan.

God is a word for the cause that creates, sustains and recycles this universe, and belongs to all that exists and is not the exclusive dominion of anyone.  No matter how and what name you call upon him – he (she or it) cannot be a different causer for each one of us.

The physical aspect of human journey from the sperm and an egg stage through the death is programmed precisely. The formula is same for all of humanity. There is no such thing as a Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu or other gene.

Regardless of what is being said about origins in terms of evolution, creation or the big bang, the undeniable fact is our existence, and we have to figure out how to live with each other. When the universe came into being, two main products of the process were Matter and Life. While the matter is programmed to be in self-balance and functions precisely for which it is designed, like the Sun, Jupiter, Earth or the Moon playing its part, the (human) life on the other hand was not programmed; we were given complete freedom, guidance and intelligence to create our own balance for survival.

A balanced society is where every one of us functions cohesively in small parcels of this big World Wide Web.  It is sustained by respecting the otherness of others and accepting the God given uniqueness of each one of us. If we mess with the web, we mess with ourselves ultimately.  If we mess with the environmental balance we will pay for it, just as we bear the loss of health if we mess with what we eat, drink and smoke. There is a consequence for imbalance.

Birth of Religion – continued at: http://ramadannews.com/2015/07/16/essence-of-ramadan-may-be-traceable-in-your-faith/

Obama: Two Sides of a Coin called America

      Comments Off on Obama: Two Sides of a Coin called America

NOTE: This blog is for my exclusive writings, however, when someone writes about me, I have included it here.  In this piece, Mr. Tariq Al Maeena has put together two opinions of Obama including mine.

Mike Ghouse

Courtesy – Tariq Al-Maeena, Saudi Gazette

President Obama was in Saudi Arabia last week.  While his talks with GCC leaders were reportedly a success, much of what he has promised during the twilight era of his presidency is not necessarily etched in stone.  I received some letters from readers prior to his visit, two of which I am including here.

Both are from Americans living in America.  Both are patriots and love their country.  And yet both have bipolar views on Mr. Obama’s presidency.  The first is from Betty, a white, devoutly Christian grandmother from Kentucky.  She writes:  “Where do I start?  He is an embarrassment to his race, to his religion, to his political party and most of all to the American people. He is the worst excuse for president that I have ever seen. He seems to think that he was elected as a king instead of president.  Any time that people don’t agree with him, he plays the race card. During his first term everything was Bush’s fault.

“There is a saying around here: How can you tell when Obama lies? Answer: any time he opens his mouth.  I don’t know if he is a Muslim or not, but you know me well enough to know that if he is, it would make no difference. I just think a person should be proud of his religion not ashamed of it.  I don’t think I should even get into all of his giveaway programs.  As you can tell I don’t like him, I can’t find anything at all to respect him for…and…his wife is no better!”

The next one is from Mike Ghouse, a fervent believer in sharing the earth peacefully with people of all colors and beliefs.  Mike is an activist for many such causes in the US, and in  a racial profiling would be considered a “man of color”.  He says:  “The Presidency of Barack Obama will be recorded as one of the best periods of America’s economic recovery, social inclusion and wisdom-filled foreign policy and well-being of fellow Americans.  The impact will linger for centuries to come. He has not only made a difference in America but in the world’s social, political, climatic and economic order.

“If president Franklin Roosevelt got us out of the Great Depression, Obama got us out of a complete collapse from two reckless wars which piled up budget deficits beyond recovery, unprecedented home and business foreclosures, massive unemployment, divorces and depressing hopelessness.
Today we are much better off in every aspect of our society than we were seven years ago. Indeed, he is the man who made America great again. “On the night of November 4, 2008, when he won both the popular and electoral votes, the entire world cried out with joy, and socially, the world is not the same anymore. This is a fulfillment of the dream of minorities all over the world to be considered and accepted as equals.

“His election gave hope to humanity that someone from a minority community could rise up to be the president of the most powerful nation on earth. One of the historical parallels, if not the only one I see was the efforts of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in uplifting the downtrodden to be equal with fellow humans. He elevated Hazrat Bilal to be on par with everyone, he established that all humans were created equal, and Americans reiterated that value by electing Obama.

“The president has a profound impact on our society, he is instrumental in the acceptance of fellow Americans from the LGBT Community, he has worked hard for the inclusion of Muslims in society, and he has been fighting for equal pay for women. Above all he gave us Affordable Health Care saving thousands of Americans from dying for lack of insurance or for having policies which did not cover pre-existing conditions. America is healthier today because of this act. Consumer confidence is up and the economy is adding jobs like never before.

“His foreign policy is by far the best we have had in the last 70 years; he has mitigated resentment toward America by approaching a sensible course.  Egypt could have become our next Iran had it not been for his wisdom in asking Mubarak to step down. Domestically, the Iran deal is the best thing that has happened to the American economy, gas prices have dropped by nearly half helping ordinary Americans with their commuting costs and enhancing employment in the service sector.

“Obama’s flaw, like all his predecessors is his gutlessness in telling the people of Israel and America that Mr. Netanyahu’s policies are destructive to the long term security of Israel.  They have let Israel violate UN resolutions and abuse her military power and disregard the human rights of the weak and disadvantaged. This has generated a lot of resentment around the world toward Israel, which is wrongfully labeled as anti-Semitism.

“His other flaw is his belief in common sense and the hope of working with the polarized members of Congress and the Senate, many of whom have none.
Obama let those rascals run all over him, unlike Reagan who would go to the people to expose the arrogance of legislators for the good of America. Obama will go down in history as one of the top five presidents of America and the first one to open the door for every American to aspire to be president.”

This is what a democracy demonstrates.  People have their own point of view and you don’t have to necessarily agree with everyone.
— The author can be reached at talmaeena@aol.com. Follow him
on Twitter @talmaeena

India Belongs to all

      Comments Off on India Belongs to all

Note: This blog is for my exclusive writings, however, when a major Newspaper writes about me, I have included here, and this is one of them.

Courtesy – Khaled Al Maeena, Saudi Gazette

Khaled Almaeena

Truly there has been a change in India over the past couple of years. The language of hatred and intolerance is on the rise. The minorities feel they are no longer a part of the fabric of this great country. It seems as if Gandhiji’s legacy is being buried.

Murders, lynchings and attacks over petty religious or social issues are on the rise. Political activists belonging to fascist organizations are arming their fanatical followers. Recent television footage shows thugs armed with rifles and machetes roaming among crowds at political rallies.

Hate-filled organizations like the RSS and its equally rabid offshoots spew violence. They talk as if India belongs to them only. Churches have been burned, people who have allegedly eaten beef have been lynched, false encounters have been reported and innocent people jailed. Even Gandhi and Nehru are being reviled.

However, the Indian Constitution stands firm promising equality and freedom to all. Among the minorities Muslims, Dalits and Christians have suffered the most and in that order.

However, they should not feel aggrieved and resort to foolhardy tactics that will play into the hands of the fascist leaders of the RSS and other splinter organizations the majority of whose followers are illiterates.

Muslims are part and parcel of India, its heritage and its political and economic history. So let them not be alarmed and be defensive. It is their home and they should have faith in their Constitution and political process and invest their hearts, souls and minds in India. These words were relayed to Muslims in America, who along with others are passing through a crisis of uncertainty, by Mike Ghouse an activist who focuses on tolerance and understanding. He is the Executive Director of the American Muslim Institution in Washington,DC.

Muslims in India should not indulge in self-pity or grovel in mortification but shed victimhood and connect with the overwhelming majority of Hindus who are secular and want India to be in the forefront of the community of nations. They have to act and work hard and focus on education, raising awareness and instilling a sense of well-being in their community. In a secular society, nationhood comes first no matter what faith one belongs to. Muslims should inculcate the importance of inclusion and act and feel as one with all. They should also remain cool and calm in the face of provocations and not resort to violence.

They should shun ignorant mullahs and self-serving politicians from their own ranks. Education is the key to success along with physical and mental well-being. Let them focus on that and ignore the current political rhetoric which if translated into action will only bring doom. The Constitution of India is a pillar of support. Let them use it. And remember that neither Muslims or others of different faiths are minorities but are full-fledged citizens of a nation that can be an anchor of peace and prosperity.

India belongs to all!

Raise the flag and shout with a full voice – Jai Hind !

— The writer is Editor-at-Large. He can be reached at kalmaeena@saudigazette.com.sa and followed on Twitter: @KhaledAlmaeena