Dallas Muslim Celebrates Easter

A MUSLIM PLURALIST CELEBRATES EASTER

Whether Jesus was buried and resurrected, or taken up by God, faith in him is shared by more than half of the world inclusive of Muslims and Christians. Whether you believe in Jesus or not, his message of love thy enemy, love thy neighbor and forgive the other will set us free. Can we celebrate that message?

To this Muslim, Easter represents resurrection of Jesus through his message, and Easter is a symbolic day to celebrate that message.

Continued - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/a-muslim-pluralist-celebrates-easter_b_2976582.html#es_share_ended

 

 

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Will Shia Sunni Islam ever reconcile?

WILL SHIA AND SUNNI ISLAM EVER RECONCILE?

Facts don't matter. It did not matter to the leadership of President Bush and his obedient followers. They chose to believe what they had decided to believe about WMD, despite the information to the contrary.

Muslims leadership is no different, each one of the sect is entrenched with certain beliefs, and facts don't matter to them either. Indeed, accepting facts will make the earth beneath them disappear. If Sunnis accept Shiite version as a fact and/or Shiites see the Sunni version as the truth, their whole theology collapses, each one will cease to exist, and for that reason, no one will subscribe to each others' "facts."


The chasm between the two groups was born out of Prophet's last sermon..... Continued- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/will-shiite-and-sunni-islam-ever-reconcile_b_2898461.html

 

Happy Passover

HAPPY PASSOVER TO MY JEWISH FRIENDS

Tonite marks the Passover over with a Seder, a ritualized dinner to commence the Passover. A few years ago, my daughter and I were guests at Temple Shalom for the passover Seder, it was a great experience reading the scriptures and following the tradition.

Passover is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the story of the Exodus, when Jews were freed from slavery in Egypt. It is celebrated for seven or eight days and one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays.


Happy Passover my friends. Next year, we hope to celebrate it at Temple Shalom with our friends.

Mike Ghouse
Foundation for Pluralism
World Muslim Congress
America Together Foundation

GHOUSE, HANNITY AND OTHERS ON FOX

GHOUSE, HANNITY AND OTHERS ON FOX 
Friday night special about Obama's trip to Israel.

Security of Israel is tied to justice for the Palestinians, one will not happen without the other. Neither the right wing Israeli hawks can send the Palestinians in to bushes, nor can the Palestinians will drive the Israelis into the sea. Neither will happen but, both will continue to suffer due to their arrogance and inability to see inwards while others are cashing in on those gratuitous statements.  
Indeed, we the Americans, and the Arabs, have messed up the Israel-Palestine conflict. We chose to die for our allies at all costs, and got them to entrench into hawkish positions. Had we got them to sit down instead, and talk as a condition of our aid and support, then we would have done good for both the Israelis and the Palestinians. 

 
URL -http://israel-palestine-dialogue.blogspot.com/2013/03/obamas-visit-to-israel-and-hope.html  

 

Christian Muslim Conflict mitigation

The foundation for the conflict between Muslims and Christians is genuine and is irreconcilable, but not out of the realm of solutions. The crux of the problem is God himself and how he is viewed in both traditions. The issue is the Holy Trinity V Tauheed (monotheism).

Politics is a byproduct of fear and insecurity. When Muslims outnumbered Christians through conversions in the 10th century Syria, the Christians legitimately feared the possibility of Muslim fanatics making their life difficult, although that was not the case at that time. However, to keep the Christians within the fold, a pastor in 957 AD declared that “Quran was a false book written by a false prophet” – those words continue to reverberate in halls of Christian corridors even today. 

Continued:  http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/03/christian-muslim-conflict-mitigation.html

Texas Faith: What piece of advice would you give the new pope?

PIECE OF ADVISE TO POPE
With  a solid following of 1.2 Billion, he can influence people of faith, and no  faiths to build bridges. The Muslim-Christian, Jewish-Christian, and  Hindu-Christian conflicts are deep and irreconcilable, but not completely out of  the realm of solutions. These conflicts are gnawing the communities in their  hearts and minds and flare up now and then in difficult expressions.
 As  a Muslim and a Pluralist, I welcome Pope Francis, and make myself available to jump at his  call for creating peace in the world, where no human has to live in fear of the  others, let the world be the new kingdom of heaven where we all feel safe and  secure with each other. Amen!
Continued:  http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/03/texas-faith-what-piece-of-advice-would.html

God is happy that week keep him out of schools

 God loves Americans for keeping him out of school and public spaces, he doesn't need any more headaches, he washed his hands off us when he implanted a self-governing device called brain, and he wants nothing but good for his creation, and offers the same guidance to all - to treat each other with respect.


This note is in reference to Pakistan's Muslims.

For a Democracy to be alive and functional we have to bitch at the Government,  India is good at it and Pakistan and Bangladesh have done well in that area as well. The most patriotic person is the one who attacks government every day and on everything. We have got to keep the Government guys from becoming pig-headed.

In 1947, India rightly chose to be a secular state and Pakistani leadership erred in making it a religious state. By the way, the only two nations created on the earth based on religion are the ones facing most difficulties;Pakistan and Israel. We can blame the British or any one, but the fact is the problem persists.  God does not have a religion himself, he was super careful in not mentioning in any holy books  that he was a Muslim, Hindu, Christian or a Native, because he is not divisive.  God simply does not like religious governments, because he does not like any one to mess with his creation in his name. An attack on a Hindu, Muslim or any is an attack on God, who created them, do you think he likes it?  It is still not late to strip religion from the governance in Pakistan and Israel.
He prefers a government where all of his creation is treated with dignity, equality and respect. Individuals will be judged in the society by the society for the violations of others space, sustenance and nurturence, where as God  reserves the right to judge the individuals for their moral compass.  . 

....... Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in Standing up for others and has done that throughout his life as an activist. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington post; and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work through many links.

Does the thought of death inspire you?

Do you think of death? I do, and it inspires me to be righteous, it inspires me to avoid hurting and invading into other’s space, sustenance and nurturance. It inspires me to tie the loose ends of life on a daily basis, being aware of them in itself helps, it is powerful and peaceful. I do that frequently but not completely

It helps me knock the anxiety out of my life. I ask myself, what if I croak now, would I be bombarded with a huge list of things I wanted to do, wanted to have? Or would I accept my last few minutes in grace and without anxiety? The thought of death is peaceful to me. My mother passed away in peace, so did my late wife by living the life to the moment and not anxious to have more, as the loved ones we can facilitate that.

My maternal Grandfather, one of my heroes said, for every wedding you attend, attend a funeral, it will make a better human out of you. 

Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net

In defense of Islam, pursuing a civil dialogue

In the Middle Ages, European leaders commissioned a hostile Quran translation to foster warfare against Muslim invaders. Later, Muslim leaders produced another translation to inflame Muslims against Christians and Jews.

"It was all for politics," he said.

Continued: Dallas Morning News - http://www.dallasnews.com/news/columnists/steve-blow/20100919-In-defense-of-Islam-pursuing-9397.ece

Muslims Condemn acts of Violence against Christians in Pakistan, and assert that this not an act of Islam.

March 9, 2013 - Lahore, Pakistan, A mob of Muslims burnt down about 150 homes of Christians living in Joseph Town near Lahore, and the carnage continues. “As Muslims, we are embarrassed and ashamed of these men who call themselves Muslims, we condemn these acts unequivocally.” commented Mike Ghouse who heads the World Muslim Congress, a think tank in Dallas, Texas.

The redeeming factor this time around is the arrest of over 100 miscreants, condemnations from Jamaat e Islami and the Punjab Chief Minister. President Zardari finally woke up and talked about restoring Law and order. This is indeed the good news, and must be appreciated,  similar action needs to be taken against the murderers of hundreds of Shia, and harassment of Ahmadiyya, Hindus and other minorities. A nations moves forward when her citizens feel safe and law and order is maintained. Indeed, the hallmark of a civil society is where no Citizens of a nation fears the other.

While Law and order brings  the situation under control; it does not put off the fires completely, the dying sparks grow and explode again unless they are addressed.   

Continued http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/03/muslims-condemn-acts-of-violence.html

Muslims Congratulate Pope Francis

Dallas, Texas, March 13, 2013 – The World Muslim Congress, a think tank, and the Foundation for Pluralism congratulate the new Pope, Pope Francis.

“I hope he heralds a new beginning for building a better world. In behalf of the people of faith or no faith, and my faith Islam, I welcome the Pope and make ourselves available to jump at his call for creating a peace in the world, where no human has to live in fear of the others, let the world be the new kingdom of heaven where we all feel safe and secure with each other. Amen”

There are a few deeply rooted conflicts among the Muslim-Christian, and Jewish-Christian communities that are the root cause of much of the conflict in the world, they have been simmering within the hearts and minds of the Christians, Muslims and Jews, and flare up now and then in difficult expressions.

The world needs a powerful personality to urge Muslims and Christians to accept the otherness of the other without the temptation to correct the other.

Continued: http://www.worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/03/congratulations-to-pope-francis.html

Muslims Condemn brutal attacks on Hindus and Hindu Temples by Muslims in Bangladesh

THREE ACTION ITEMS FOR MUSLIMS http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/03/muslims-condemn-brutal-attacks-on.html

The following press release is an expression of Muslims to register their protest, repentance and desire to restore trust among the Hindus of Bangladesh who are harassed and under attacks. This is not acceptable in Islam. 

We condemn these disgusting acts of Muslims among us, who are hell bent on hurting fellow Bangladeshis, because they are Hindus. These acts go against the very essence of Quran to treat every human, animal and the environment with dignity. Quran could not be clearer than this, “killing one person is like killing the whole humanity, and saving one life is like saving the entire  mankind.”   

The insane attacks on Hindus are referenced in several reports below, please read different reports to get the full picture, a commission must be established to report the findings.

The majority of Muslims are peace loving, however a few among us are not, and it is our responsibility to not let those few tarnish the name of our religion. We need to do our Jihad, and our struggle to bring justice and trust in the society. 

In the interest of containing, cornering and mitigating the conflict, we urge the Bangladeshi Government to take all the precautions to single out the individuals responsible for the chaos.

Continued http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/03/muslims-condemn-brutal-attacks-on.html

Shia Sunni difference over Prophet's last sermon, what do we do about it?

Facts don't matter, it did not matter to President Bush and his followers, and they believed what they believed despite the information available to the contrary. We Muslims are no different, each one of our sect is entrenched with certain beliefs, and our fundamental beliefs will not change. Indeed, accepting change is like making the earth beneath us disappear. If Sunnis accept Shia version as fact or Shias see the Sunni version as the truth, their whole theology collapses, each one will cease to exist, and for that reason, no one will subscribe to each others' "facts". 

 

Sunnis believe that in his last sermon, Prophet said he was leaving the book (to learn and understand, as we are individually accountable for our actions) while the Shia Muslims believe that he also said he is leaving behind his progeny to offer guidance. Even if we were to recover the real voice and his speech, neither group will believe in it; it amounts to wiping out our beliefs. It is best to follow the guidance from Qur'aan; let you believe what works for you and I believe what works for me, as long as we do not mess with each other's space, sustenance and nurturence. Both will go to Janna if we care about God's creation.

How do Shia, Sunni and other Muslims come together for common good?
URL -  http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/03/shia-sunni-difference-over-prophets.html

Mike Ghouse 

Glorious Morning

…. we must learn to enjoy the life in full, all elements of life to its full spectrum; sadness, joy, pain, sorrow, sweetness, sournes, bitterness, hate, love, forgiveness and kindness are all natural to us and makes us complete.

One of the two most beautiful parts of my day is the early ‘morning light’, there is something in it, that excites Me.; just that light! No matter how worried I am about Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Israel/Palestine or my income, this morning light lightens me up, it refreshes me and powers me up.

This morning, I could not resist walking around my office building, they have done a fabulous job in creating green between the building and water fountains, ponds and beautiful plants … I enjoyed the bursting light, blue skies, yet to be green trees and of course chirping of the birds, the call of the rooster from my cell phone and mimicking him made my day…what is your favorite part of the day.

I know my friend Vanja will be thinking of adding Barbara Steissand’s morning Glory.. that would be perfect as well. Is there another beautiful song like that? 

Rajiv Chakravarti writes:
Mike sahab: I would translate into "Urdu" (pure) your phrase:
"sadness, joy, pain, sorrow, sweetness, sourness, bitterness, hate, love, forgiveness, kindness"
as:
"Gham, Khushi, dard, alam, sheereeni, turshee, talKhee, nafrat, muhabbat, baKhshish, iltifaat"

Brouhaha over Ahmedinejad consoling Chavez’s mother, it angers Iranian clerics.

YOU CAN LAUGH AFTER READING THIS.

Yahoo reports, "The image drew the immediate fury of Tehran's religious conservatives. "No unrelated women can be touched unless she is drowning at sea or needs medical treatment," Hojat al-Islam Hossein Ibrahimi, a cleric at the Society of Militant Clergy, said, according to Iran's Al-Monitor."

Pamela Geller, America's profiteer from maligning Islam will have a hay day tomorrow, she profits from selling hate to the dumbos out there. But some Rabbi will tell her to shut up; it is not the creeping Muslim Brotherhood thing, but a Rabbi thing also. She has done many stupid things in the past, like jumping all over Muslims for the Halal slaughter of Animals, the Rabbis (and I believe the ADL also) had to tell her to shut up that is precisely a Jewish practice. In December 2012, I was on Fox News twice (Not Hannity) telling that it was a wrong idea to put billboards in the subways, and mentioned the consequence of a nutcase making threats to a Muslim woman, sadly a Hindu man was killed.

In February, on Hannity she wrote........Continued:
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/03/brouhaha-over-ahmedinejad-consoling.html

The new pope is being voted in now

There are a few deeply rooted conflicts among the Muslim and Christian communities, and Jewish and Christian communities that are the root cause of much of the conflict in the world. I do hope he will address them. Both the Muslims and Christians need to accept the otherness of others and not focus on correcting the other. May God bless the new Pope and may him bring lasting peace. Amen!

...World Catholic community is on the verge of selecting their new pope, and we hope they select someone who is a peace maker and follows the essence of what Jesus meant - blessed are the peace makers.

I request every one of you who desires peace to to pray for the pope and I hope we all, the world will be blessed by a great Pope to be a catalyst to the world peace. Amen!

Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net