Book Release American Muslim Agenda

THE BOOK – American Muslim Agenda
Muslims Together Building a Cohesive America

• To order call:  1-888-795-4274 x 4528
• To order online –https://www.xlibris.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?Book=547287
• Softcover $19.99 / Hardcover $29.99
• If you would like to receive a signed copy, please send an email to AmericanMuslimAgenda@gmail.com
• What is the book about?
• What do the Scholars say about the book?
• Talking points
• Media Inquiries to AmericanMuslimAgenda@gmail.com

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 What is the book about?  

You will be pleased to see your vision of America resonate in the book. Even though the title is ”American Muslim Agenda,” it is for all Americans.

One of the purposes in naming the book is for my fellow Americans who have misunderstood Muslims to pick up the book and read, and my fellow Muslims who have misunderstood Islam to take a look the at the pristine Islam that they long for, it is not lost, we have to revive it. Islam is not about ruling or dictating others; it is about living your life and letting others live theirs, one of the 12 strongest values of Islam is freewill that Muslims have forgotten.   I have cited the Quran extensively with reinforcing practices of the prophet.

There are occasional references of wisdom drawn from Atheism to Zoroastrianism and every faith in between. You will see Jesus in Muhammad, Torah in Quran or Bhagavad Gita’s reflections or Buddhas Middle path or Nanak’s service to humanity.

You may like this note that Dr. Frank Islam has highlighted.

“I am intrigued by the book, particularly the chapter on the Essence of Islam. The great Talmudic sage Rabbi Hillel in the first century BC said, “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation of this—to study it!” Dr. Ghouse responds to Rabbi Hillel with a corollary on Islam, “God wants us to respect the otherness of the others and accept the uniqueness of each human. That is the whole Quran; the rest is the explanation of this—to study it!”

MUSLIMS TOGETHER BUILDING A COHESIVE AMERICA

This book, The American Muslim Agenda, is a primer, a blueprint, a road map for American Muslims to consider. A Muslim is someone who is a conflict mitigater and a goodwill nurturer, following the formula for peaceful societies practiced by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and guided by the Quran. As a community, American Muslims have not developed any concrete plans to extricate themselves out of the chaotic situations, hostility and incessant Islamophobic rhetoric we face. Each time a terrorist acts out, we start praying and wishing that the terrorist not be a Muslim. We are Americans, and we can do better than that. This book paves the way for us to own the mistakes we have made, remedy them, and become fully integrated Americans. There is only one America, and all of us are fully integrated parts of that nation. We need to learn to engage with those who are opposed to us, and I have some good success stories to share on that front. When we start defending America and American values we are in! We become an integral part of American Fabric.

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What do the Scholars say about the book?

Bob Roberts, Renowned Evangelical Pastor & Founder of Global.net Author Bold as Love

I’m so grateful for the work of Mike Ghouse and his desire to build bridges.  You will love this book, it’s about how Muslims in America think, and how we should all be connected regardless of faith.  For too long, we’ve ignored the divide between Muslims and Christians and the result is we are prone to believe the worst about one another.  Thanks, Mike for this important book.

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Bob Crane, first Muslim US Ambassador

Mike Ghouse’s path-breaking book, American Muslim Agenda, recommends a new agenda in the form of a paradigm shift from the negativism of attacking Islamophobia to the constructive support of America’s founding vision as a model of every world religion’s essence in compassionate justice. This is based on the interfaith search for transcendent truth from both scriptures and natural law in order to translate this wisdom into principles of both ethical value and jurisprudence.  These principles, in turn, are essential to guide the modern think-tanks that shape policy agendas, as well as to inform the voters and legislators who have the practical responsibility to translate the vision of compassionate justice into both societal and institutional reform.  This is what it has always meant to be an American.

Fi Aman Allah,

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Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar, first Muslim woman scholar to translate the Quran sensitively! 
Endorsement for The American Muslim Agenda by Mike Ghouse The author presents a challenge to American Muslims to lose their egos and integrate themselves into being fully Muslim, fully American. They have a Muslim example to follow and it is that of spiritual chivalry (javanmardi, futuwwah).

Spiritual chivalry is that the spiritual warrior constantly strives for the sake of others. It is not seeing yourself as superior to others, to be an enemy of your own soul for the sake of your Lord, to act justly without demanding justice for yourself. Spiritual chivalry is to manifest a beautiful character.

The spiritual warrior (fata or the feminine, fatat) is a person who has a sense of honor, is called ‘he who breaks the idol.’ God Most High has said [in the Quran], ‘We heard a spiritual warrior named Abraham speak of them [the idols Abraham broke]’ [21:20]. And He said, ‘And he (Abraham, the spiritual warrior) made them [the idols] fragments’ [21:60]. The idol of every person is his own ego, so in reality, whoever opposes his own passions is a ‘spiritual warrior’.

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 Dr. Tariq Cheema, Founder, World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists

“Bold and brilliant Mike Ghouse. He has not just drawn a roadmap for Muslim Americans to contribute to the society meaningfully but highlighted the unique value proposition of Muslims that mainstream America can bank upon to progress. In fragmented America today, the hope lies in the people of faith who believe in social justice and cohesion. This book is an open invitation and a call to action for all those men and women of conscience.”

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 Rabbi Gerald Serotta, Executive Director, Interfaith Conference of Washington

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a warrior for conflict resolution and a partisan for non-partisan dialogue. He aims to bring all voices to the table of religious pluralism that he sets with the “agenda” in this book.  He and I have shared presentations on panels where the perspective centers on covenantal pluralism, the idea that a God who can treasure one faith community must have the will and power to treasure all moral communities of whatever faith or of no faith.  May his efforts in articulating the agenda for his beloved Muslim community inspire other faith leaders to delve self-critically and responsibly into the resources within their own religions to move beyond tolerance to a loving and robust mutual appreciation.  Our times need his voice and need others to speak out as well.

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Dr. Harbans Lal, Emeritus Professor, and Chairman, 
Dept of Pharmacology & Neuroscience, UNT Health Science Center, Texas

It is only recently that many courageous scholars and public servants began to tell what the real Islam was. Guru Nanak wrote hundreds of hymns in the Sikh scripture on who is a good Muslim. I am glad to see the recent book by Mike Ghouse. Mike began nearly 15 years ago to set the stage right. He started with a radio show on the world’s religions. I remember my frequent participation there and answering Mike’s piercing questions. Then he contributed hundreds of columns in leading newspapers and magazines. Now, he came up with his book that elucidates the purpose of religion in general and the role of Islam in particular as a member of the community of faiths.  I recommend this book to the Muslim community and their neighbors who are the followers of other religions. In facts, the adherents of other religions might consider Mike’s approach in spreading the sacred words of the founders of their beliefs.

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Dr. Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times International.

This beautiful, well-written book, is the next level thinking for the Muslims, many of whom still live in the medieval paradigm of ‘them’ versus ‘us.’ Mike Ghouse is the Messiah for pluralism to pull the Muslims out of a sectarian vision, to a genuine universal brotherhood and sisterhood, befitting our global village, for the 21st century.

It is a must read for every Muslim living in the West, who is desirous of genuine integration, to benefit from all the good that rational and democratic human societies have to offer.  By the same token, it is a must-read for every Westerner, who wants to grasp the genuine peaceful and inclusive vision of true Islam.

The book is a breath of fresh air, away from the political Islam of the Islamists or the Islamophobes, a futuristic vision of coexistence, where we not only tolerate our differences but celebrate them.

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 Dr. Frank Islam, Philanthropist, and a Scholar, Washington
I am intrigued by the book, particularly the chapter on the Essence of Islam.
The great Talmudic sage Rabbi Hillel in the first century BC said, “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation of this—to study it!” Dr. Ghouse responds to Rabbi Hillel with a corollary on Islam, “God has created us into different races, religions, sizes, colors and other uniqueness’s, respecting the otherness of the other and accepting the God-given uniqueness is the whole Quran and the rest is the explanation of this – to study it.”

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Dr. Safi Kaskas, Modern translator of Quran, his translations have been referenced in the book.

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a courageous American Muslim. At a time when Muslims are under attack, he courageously stood tall and walked into the enemy’s camp to talk to them and to explain Islam as he knows it.

His book, American Muslim Agenda, is the summary of his experiences and vision for his Muslim community and America his country. I think we Muslims will be wise to listen to what he is saying and take steps away from our antiquated stands of us and them toward a new Quranic vision of competing in doing what is good.

The future of Muslims in America is what Muslims decide to make of it. In order to be successful, we need to think and really understand the environment in which we live. We also need to understand Islam with fresh eyes on the future, taking in consideration the need to find new solutions to the new problems we are facing without compromising our basic beliefs. This requires courage and resilience. It requires leadership coming from within the Muslim community, with the ability to unite and lead.

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 Talking points of the book

I have acknowledged the mistakes Muslims have made,  including an apology to Jews, Christians, and Hindus and have offered solutions to go forward.

Every question you have about “American Muslims” will be answered
in a book signing event, or a special meeting you may consider organizing.

1. Why I wrote the book?
2. Muslim Woman President of the United States in 2036
3. What does it take to run for public office?
4. What are the 12 Islamic Values to shape future societies?
5. Why is this book a reference Manual?
6. Are Muslims a part of the American story?
7. What does it take to be an Amin?
8. Spineless Muslim Leadership9. Mistakes Muslims have made and fixing them10. Rejecting public Sharia
11. Criticism of the Quran, Islam and the prophet
12. Dealing with conservatives
13. Pristine Islam
14. Extremism
15. More

Contact information:

Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916
Washington, DC
AmericanMuslimAgenda@gmail.com

Dr. Mike Ghouse is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. His new book, the “American Muslim Agenda” guides Muslims and non-Muslims alike to mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill. The book will be available at the end of January 2019 in all the bookstores. Mike is a public speaker, author, interfaith wedding officiant, and the executive director of the Center for Pluralism in Washington, DC. More about him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeghouse/

Who Speaks for American Muslims

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/.

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 SPEAKERS ON ISLAM

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, news maker 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/

Muslims at Trump’s Inauguration and the conflicts within

ABC NEWS VIDEO CAPTURE

President Trump extending his hand towards Imam Magid at the National Cathedral

Click here for full story - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/muslims-at-trumps-inauguration_us_58858713e4b0111ea60b980a

Are Muslims a part of the American story?

   
Click here for Full Story http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/are-muslims-a-part-of-the-american-story_us_58818eb3e4b0d96b98c1da86

Angelina Jolie, John Kerry, Refugees and Interfaith Iftaar

Washington, D.C., The Adams Center hosted Iftaar (breaking of fast) dinner, and was attended by Angelina Jolie and John Kerry and several dignitaries from the State Department. The interfaith community was represented well by many faith leaders. New titles were bestowed: It is Imam Pastor Magid and Pastor Imam Bob Roberts now for the kind of interfaith work they do.

I must give credit to Rizwan Jaka, Chairman of the Adams Center for being a genuine interfaith leader and making sincere efforts in pulling people from as many faiths as he can. I know many fakies out there,  but he is one of the few authentic ones. A man with a good pure heart.

The occasion was international refugee day. There are over 65 Million refugees and displaced people in the world.   Those who look down on the refugees, have no idea the humility they go through it.  Those who shrug it off as not my problem have not seen the full life.   I recall pictures from a major flood in Pakistan where homes of rich and poor were completely wiped out, and each one of them stretching their hands for food and water, and it was one of the most difficult scenes to witness.

I was on Fox News with Sean Hannity a few months back when the house and senate rejected taking refugees and President Obama had to go through an executive order.  This nation was formed on immigration, except the Native Americans, almost all of us are refugees.

Am I responsible for this mess?  If I have any conscience, I am a contributor to it, if I don’t speak out against it, or write against it. This is not acceptable.

I am severely disappointed with the Congress (Senate and the house) and particularly Republicans who have a majority in both the houses.

It is time for us to tell the idiots in congress to take a hike in November elections for the following reasons:

1. i) The Republican Senate rejected the bill “no fly no buy guns” that is, the loonies who are on no fly list can buy the guns like the deranged idiot in Orlando mass murderer.
   Neither Guns kill people nor Religions kill people, but bad people kill innocent people and as a society we have the responsibility to place restrictions on the terrorists to own guns.
2. ii) There is no evidence of Refugees being terrorists, they have a good vetting process and we need to do our share of the refugees. Our policies to mess with other nations created these problems; men like Paul Wolfowitz, Cheney and others had planned to topple stable governments, these men were hunting for the heads of the state in the pretext of saving the people. Had we not invaded Iraq, none of this would have happened. Shame on us, enough of us did not protest. These men are roaming free instead being behind the bars.

iii) Equal pay for women bill was not passed either, and I have no idea why even 30% of Republican Women want to Vote for Trump, what’s wrong with them?

Jesus said feed the hungry, cloth the naked, shelter the homeless.  To these men and few women, Jesus doesn’t mean a thing to them.

If the Native Americans had built the wall, none of us including Trump would have made it here. If Mexicans had built walls, California, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona would have remained a Mexican territory, and none of us would have made it unless we learned Spanish.

All it takes is for us to speak up through the ballot, throw the existing members who oppose common sense and bring in new Americans who have common sense and truly want to serve America.

Mike Ghouse, and independent
Neither a Republican nor a Democrat.
www.TheGhouseDiary.com

Press Release: American Muslims stand with the U.S. President on Countering radicalization of Muslims

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 – text or talk
Mike@AmericanMuslimInstitution.org
www.AmericanMuslimInstitution.org 

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Washington, D.C., December 7, 2015 – The San Bernardino mass shooting and the horrific loss of life and injuries last week have prompted serious soul searching among Muslims across the nation about the causes of home grown radicalization and how to counter it.

We stand with the President and his plans to eliminate the vicious ideology of Daesh, also known as ISIS.  “We agree with President Obama that ISIS does not speak for Islam, and American Muslims unequivocally reject ISIS’ hateful and misguided ideology” stated Ambassador Islam A. Siddiqui, President of American Muslim Institution.

While we mourn the deaths of fellow Americans in the 355 mass shootings this year, we particularly mourn the loss of life and resulting injuries in the San Bernardino mass shooting,  because a Muslim and his wife were responsible for the mass murder.   

It is the responsibility of all Americans to help law enforcement officials in maintaining law and order and to assure the safety of every citizen. It is the duty of all of us to fight against radicalization through education and community engagement and work on promoting peace and harmony.  As American Muslims we have a greater responsibility in countering radicalization and violent extremism.  

# # # https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/12/05/president-obama-addresses-nation-keeping-american-people-safe

President Carter - American Muslims send their best wishes to President Carter

American Muslims send their best wishes to President Carter | This was released on 8/21 as a press release:

We send our respectful wishes to President Carter and pray for his speedy recovery. We also pray and wish him a longer life, and hope he can witness the fruition of his work that he started for lasting peace in the Middle East. He is a genuine peace maker and a blessing to the world – and the true earner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

http://news.yahoo.com/jimmy-carter-discuss-cancer-diagnosis-publicly-084102065.html

On August 20, 2015 - President Jimmy Carter announced that his cancer has spread to his brain and doctors in Atlanta found four "very small spots" of melanoma. Carter, who turns 91 in October, started receiving radiation yesterday.

Carter is one of the presidents who remained active with the American people building homes for the poor through the Habitat for Humanity. He was instrumental in eradication of debilitating diseases in Africa like the guinea worm. The President traveled around the world monitoring democratic process taking roots, and watching the genuine voting process.

He is the most gracious man; he kept smiling and dedicated his life for humanity. May God bless him a long life, and let the humanity benefit from his good work.

American Muslim Institution, a pro-active voice for American Muslims.www.AmericanMuslimInstitution.org

Added from News:

Crowd packs former President Carter’s Sunday school after his cancer spreads

Reuters | August 23, 2015 http://www.religionnews.com/2015/08/23/crowd-packs-former-president-carters-sunday-school-cancer-spreads/?

ATLANTA  (Reuters) After announcing that cancer had spread to his brain, former President Jimmy Carter had to teach an extra Bible class at his rural Georgia church on Sunday (Aug. 23) to accommodate well wishers.

Carter, 90, a lifelong Baptist and church deacon, has taught Sunday school for decades, and the Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, is used to a throng.

The church’s website asks people to line up before 9 a.m., and attend an orientation before the 10 a.m. class.

The theme of the lesson was love, Carter told the 300 people who filled the church’s sanctuary, after briefly alluding to his health.

“We are studying the most important aspect of Christianity,” he said, and read from the Sermon on the Mount in the Book of Matthew: “I say to you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

He mentioned his conflict resolution work, including the Camp David peace agreement and negotiating a nuclear program with North Korea, and said mediation can help resolve any conflict, be it between two countries or two people.

A smiling, comfortable-looking Carter, in a dark jacket and a bolo tie, spoke from the floor at the front of the room.

Carter taught a second Bible class before returning to the church sanctuary to pose for photos with people for more than a half an hour.

Pictures on the Atlanta Journal Constitution and on social media showed dozens of people lining up outside the church in the rural town of Plains, where Carter lives with his wife Rosalynn. One held a fan with Carter’s photograph on it.

The first person lined up at midnight, local television reported.

Due to the security detail for the former president, everyone was searched going into the church.

Carter began radiation treatment for his cancer on Thursday (Aug. 20), a week after announcing he had undergone surgery to remove a tumor from his liver.

Carter served as president from 1977 to 1981 and became active in humanitarian causes and monitoring elections after leaving office. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

(Reporting  by Mike Cooper and Fiona Ortiz.)

-----------Mike Ghouse

United Voices for America - Saudi Gazette by Tariq Al-Maeena

Note: At this blog, only articles written by me are published, but when others write about me, I include them as well. This article is based on our press release, thanks to Tariq A. Al-Maeena and Saudi Gazette - Mike Ghouse

Last updated: Tuesday, July 07, 2015 5:04 PM

Tariq A. Al-Maeena

The United States of America recently celebrated its 239th birthday on July 4.  What is not so well known is that Muslims have been an integral part of American heritage. With the declaration of American independence on July 4, 1776, two of the first three heads of states who recognized the sovereignty of the United States were Muslims.

Morocco, a Muslim country, was the first country to recognize the independence of the United States of America, signing the Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship, the first of its kind. Next came Friesland, one of the seven United Provinces of the Dutch Republic, followed by the Muslim king Tippu Sultan, the King of Mysore State now in India. Sultan’s congratulatory letter to America remains preserved in a French library. He celebrated America’s independence by bursting firecrackers in his home state of Srirangapatna.

So what does July 4th mean to Muslims?  Mike Ghouse a dynamic human rights activist committed to building cohesive societies and offering pluralistic solutions on issues of the day through the NGO World Muslim Congress, says that “it means everything and the biggest thing is freedom. Islam is indeed about freedom of conscience, justice and liberty."

He adds that the Pledge of Allegiance is one of the most cherished statements for Muslims: "One Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." There are several verses in the Holy Qur’an that assert those values, so it’s like coming home for Muslims.

The concept of equality is etched and nurtured in the Muslim psyche in every ritual and spiritual practice of Islam. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) delivered the following words in his last sermon: "All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor does a black have any superiority over white except by piety and good action." Muslims hold this declaration close to their hearts.

America’s founding fathers had a vision and laid the groundwork for a sustainable cohesive America for centuries to come: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

However, that has not always played well with some racist elements and opportunists.  As Mike reminds us, Donald Sterling, the basketball billionaire, and Don Imus, the popular American radio host, and several others faced severe retribution for racial slurs.

In recent years, American Muslims have become an easy target for abuse without any consequence. Some US presidential candidates top the list for bigotry, having said that they would not hire a Muslim in their cabinet.

Last week, Congressman Peter King (R-NY), whom I suspect to be a closet AIPAC card-carrying member, took to the airwaves to send a message to American-Muslims ahead of the 4th of July weekend.  His message is so offensive that if it was said to or about any other American minority group, there would have been an uproar. But because the targets of his bigotry were Muslims, there was not much of a reaction or waves of condemnation.

In a radio interview Congressman King, who serves on the Homeland Security Committee, warned of an imminent attack by a terrorist from within the Muslim community during the Independence Day celebrations. Playing down the terrorist actions of Dylann Roof, the white supremacist who killed nine people in a church in Charleston, SC, King also disregarded new research by the think tank New America and the New York Times which found that white supremacists and non-Muslim homegrown extremists have killed far more Americans than Muslim radicals.

Why do Peter King and other lawmakers feel that it is acceptable to lie about and attack Muslim communities in the USA?  Because they think that American Muslims will not fight back, they think Muslims cannot hurt them on election day, and they think Muslims will just sit back and take it.

United Voices for America, another NGO operating in the US is dedicated to defeating political bigotry and the anti-Muslim movement. And they have taken an issue with this racial stereotyping by Peter King. They should be supported for their stance.

As Mike says: “America is one of the most beautiful things that has happened to Muslims. As American Muslims, we uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in the US Constitution.”  And to do that, American Muslims should not continue to be slurred by racists such as Peter King and make their voices heard on election day.

— The author can be reached at talmaeena@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @talmaeena