Shi’a Studies in Qom, Iran - My application

The following is customized resume specific to the program.

Name: Mike Mohamed Ghouse
Citizen: American
Address: 2665 Villa Creek Dr, Suite 206, Dallas, TX 75234
Phone (214) 325-1916
Email: MikeGhouse@aol.com
Web: www.MikeGhouse.net

My Mission is to work for a cohesive world where no human has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other. If we can learn to respect the otherness of others (that is our definition of Pluralism), and accept the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. I am committed to the ideals and practice of Pluralism; a Quranic value embedded in the phrases like Rabbul Aalameen and Rahmatul guiding us to become Maklooqul Aalameen. 

My vision is to see Shia, Sunni and Ahmadiyya Muslims, and their sub-denominations to acknowledge each other’s differences respectfully and work together in creating a better world for the entire humanity.  My organization, the World Muslim Congress is a think tank committed to this vision and our mission statement drives our work.

My Purpose to do this course

1.  Is to learn more about Shia tradition for the purpose of building functional relationships within the fold of Islam and with other faiths. – i.e., respecting the otherness of others envisioned in the verses 49:13, 109:6 and a few others.

2.  To add a few clips from the Shia scholars to the movie we are making. It’s a film about managing conflicting issues such as upholding freedom of Speech and Quran Burning, criticizing Prophet Muhammad and Muslim reactions, radicalism and pluralism, Jihad and jihad, perceptions about Muslims and Islam, preserving sanctity of religions and freedom, and establishing a new model for building cohesive societies. This will be a small step in changing perceptions about Muslims and also Muslims finding solutions through non-violent means advocated by the Prophet.

Insha Allah, I am planning to visit Mecca, Al-Azhar, Deoband and Darul Uloom for the same purpose.

This particular paragraph is to record my response to the encouragement and discouragement I have received in the last few days. I was told, “What is the point of learning – they will not change and you will not change” – I emphasized, the idea is not to change, but to understand each other’s point of views, if we can learn to respect the otherness of others then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. It is best to follow the guidance from Quran and 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.   

My Intrafaith work

My first intrafaith (within Islam) influence came from my grandfather Sheikh Hussain (Sunni) and his friend Hussain Ali (Shia) when I was about 12 years old. They carried religious conversations for many years in the most civil manner while I listened to them.

Professional presentations “Muslims talk with Muslims.”

v Intrafaith Dialogue by Boniuk Center at Rice University, I was the organizer and moderator of the dialogue, well attended by Shia, Sunni, WD Muhammad and Ahmadiyya Muslims. Several links within this report - http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/02/muslims-talk-with-muslims-at-boniuk.html

v Intrafaith Dialogue in Dallashttp://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/02/muslim-intra-faith-dialogue-in-houston.html

v Intrafaith Mushaera and Naatshttp://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-successful-intrafaith-interfaith.html

v Intrafaith Dialogue at Harvard University is in the works on the same pattern as the one at Rice University.

v Conducted an Unusual Quran Conference panel of 10 clergy from different religions with the presence of  Shia, Sunni, Ahmadiyya and WD Muhammad  Imams.  www.QuraanConference.com

v Intrafaith Dialogue in Dallas is planned for next year.

v As a Sunni Muslim, I go to Juma prayers in Shia Mosques, attend the Majalis during Muharram, Iftaars during Ramadan – and write succinct notes about my visit – so others can learn a bit about Shia and all other traditions.  Since I talk about understanding, I have to do it and am pleased to do it.

My Articles:

Thanks to Allah for blessing me with the inclusive language to reflect the Islamic ideals of “Rabbul Aalameen and Rahmatul Aalameen” and I consider myself a Mukhlooqul Aalameen

In addition to my articles,  I write comments and speak on Islam and Pluralism.

Ø  Muharram, a catalyst for Change
http://thearabdailynews.com/2014/11/01/muharram-2014-catalyst-change-muslims/

Ø  Muharram and India’s communal relationships
 https://www.saddahaq.com/humaninterest/Muharram/muharram-yomeashura-and-indias-communal-relationships#

Ø  Will Shia Sunni Islam Reconcile? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/will-shiite-and-sunni-islam-ever-reconcile_b_2898461.html

Ø  Centrality of Imam Hussain
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/muharram-2011-centrality-imam-hussain_b_1117929.html

Ø  Yom-e- Ashura
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/11/today-is-yom-e-ashura-commemoration-of.html

Ø  Yom-e-Ghadir
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2014/10/eid-mubarak-eid-e-ghadir-mubarak.html

Ø  Will Shia Sunni Islam Reconcile? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/will-shiite-and-sunni-islam-ever-reconcile_b_2898461.html

Ø  One Islam for Shia, Sunni and others
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/04/there-is-only-one-islam.html

Ø  Sunni Muslims to be at Shia and Ahmadiyya Mosques
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/03/sunni-muslims-at-shia-and-ahmadiyya.html

Ø  Sunni Shia difference over Prophet’s last sermon
 http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/03/shia-sunni-difference-over-prophets.html

Ø  Shia Sunni Solidarity  on Fridays
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/03/shia-sunni-solidarity-on-fridays.html

Ø  Ramadan at Momin Center (Shia)
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/08/ramadan-day-17-shia-momin-center.html

Ø  Ramadan at Barga-e-Hujjat
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/07/ramadan-day-8-imam-barga-e-hujjat-shia.html

Ø  Best Sunnah for Sunni, Shia and others to follow
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/07/best-sunnah-for-sunni-shia-ahmadiyya.html

Ø  Muslims condemn Zardari Government for not protecting Shia Muslims
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/02/muslims-condemn-zardari-government-for.html

Ø  Saudi clerics – Shia Infidels
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/01/saudi-cleric-shia-infidels.html

Ø  Massacres of Shia and Yazidi must stop now
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2014/08/massacres-of-christians-yazidis-
and.html

Ø  Shia Genocides and Massacres list
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/06/shia-genocide-database-killings-in.html

My Resume relating with the application:

o   http://mikeghouse.net/MuslimSpeaker.MikeGhouse.asp

o   http://mikeghouse.net/MikeGhouse-CV-03.12.14.pdf

o   http://mikeghouse.net/Profile.asp

o   If you type “Muslim Speaker” Pluralism Speaker or interfaith speaker in Google browser, I am listed in the first two pages consistently.  

o   Type – “Muslim Speaker Mike Ghouse” –10,000 + entries appear

o   Google profile is visited by 7.3 Million people - https://plus.google.com/108969690090944956820/about

o   My personal site is visited by 12 Million people

o   WorldMuslimCongress.com is read by 2200 people/day

o   25000 readers per day of all my blogs

o   Commentator on Fox News for the last five years

o   Commentator on Nationally Syndicated radio (250 Stations) shows

o   200+ Articles on Pluralism at Dallas Morning News, always highlighting Islam

o   125 Articles at Huffington Post

o   2500 Articles in all. 

Websites

www.WorldMuslimCongress.com
www.facebook.com/TexasMuslims
www.QuraanConference.com
www.Quraantoday.com
www.ShariaLaws.com
www.Ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com

Forums
WorldMuslimCongress@yahoogroups.com  (1800 Members)

I pray that learning about Shia in Qom will help me understand better. 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.

Thank you
mike
Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
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Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on Pluralism at work place, politics, religion, society, gender, race, culture, ethnicity, food and foreign policy. He is commentator on Fox News and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post.  All about him is listed in several links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are atwww.TheGhousediary.com and 10 other blogs. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.