Mike Ghouse on Sean Hannity's show about Obama's Israel's visit

Thursday, March 21, 2013 - Fox Studios in New York.

There were 25 of us, with an exception of three; all were Republicans on the right, including Ambassador Bolton, Congressman Peter King, congressman ...... and a few more big guns. 

Hannity pulled congressman Peter King, Pamela Geller and me to the stage. Where Pamela and I jumped and dueled on Sharia. I expressed my support for Sharia expressing that in Muslim nations, the only system of law they know is Sharia, and they know nothing about other laws, and obviously they will opt for the only thing they know. Sharia has of course flaws that need to be rectified and updated, on which Hannity jumped about the 4 witnesses when they can get the DNA to work. If you want to understand Sharia, please go to: www.ShariaLaws.com 

I respect Sean Hannity for not attacking Muslims but the radicals among us, as a principle and as respect to his guest who is Muslim.  I was glad to hear that distinction, I am not sure if it went on the Air. Furthermore, I  appreciate that conversation as every one present there including Congressman Peter king watched us. 

More pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157633066920606/show/

Indeed, who is not against radicals whether they are Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus or anyone. Two men and a woman and walked up to me later and said, that they were glad I took that stand. He said no matter what the topic, Pamela Geller would drives the conversation towards Sharia. He was right, Sean had planned to talk about Obama's Israel trip, and I wrote a piece about it, and then we got derailed into Sharia.


I'll be on a New York Radio on Tuesday night to complete the debate about Sharia with Pamela Geller. I get asked by a few MUSLIMS about my credentials, my response is, if you call yourselves a Muslim, you had better know. The prophet expects us to know. There will be bad guys as well as good guys; let freedom prevail, bad guys can do their job, but we need to have enough good people to strengthen the good and weaken the bad.

ISNA 

I made a feeble attempt to clear ISNA from the co-conspirator list on Hannity show in response to Pamela Geller's accusations.  Dr. Syyed Syeed had shared the documentation with me,  and next time I get the chance, I will do my best to clear ISNA from such charges. 

I am sending a proposal to ISNA about presenting a program on this topic of being a part of the society at their annual convention. I hope our organizations become a catalyst in making Muslims, genuinely a part of the society. Please let me know if you wish to be a part of this presentation. 

My screaming would not change, what would change is for us to be collectively strive to be a part of the society, meaning connecting with humanity on a social level, like attending birthdays, funerals, graduations.... We should not run from any one because they drink alcohol or eat pork, I'm with them and quietly stay away from what is not kosher. I don't see the need to flaunt that I'm a Muslim.

MY BOOK 

My book is complete and revisions are underway. Sean Hannity read the abstracts of my book in the middle of all this, and I was completely taken back for the amount of time he spent on reading it despite his schedule for the evening. He said, he will talk about this book, and it will have a message to build cohesive societies. It’s about standing up for others.

CAMERA - the battery died on me after a few pics... the studio pics came out of my cell.

MY OP-ED ABOUT OBAMA'S TRIP TO ISRAEL 

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/mike-ghouse/48675/harsh-words-for-hawks-mike-ghouse-on-hannity-show-on-friday-about-obamas-trip-to-israel

FACEBOOK - DISCUSSION 
Between Khalid Ahmed, Mashood Elahi  Thomas Haidon and me, it's lenghty but makes a few points. 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152705174420249&set=a.10152705174245249.1073741825.851280248&type=1&theater 
HERE WAS MY LAST RESPONSE 


Khalid, Thomas and Mashood, thanks.

Khalid – Sharia is human understanding of what God meant; to create just societies. Its intention was justice, but it has flaws that need be rectified because it human. The word of God (Quraan) is indeed divine, and other words may be divinely inspired but not divine.

In case of Rape, the bottom line was proof, nothing can be more factual than DNA, and there is no need for four male witnesses any more. It will have to change, because it is human.

In case of Divorce, the woman is thrown on the street at the whim of the guy, when he text messages Talaq three times to his wife, she is on the street. Allah's mercy is challenged and Prophet Muhammad becomes unmerciful to that woman. We cannot call Sharia a divine law.

in the other half of Muslim world comprising Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Indonesia, they guy can just shout Talaq three times and divorce takes place, what is divine about it? It squarely contradicts Quran which says allowing three periods – amounting to 90-120 days of wait time, a common sense, which is part of the American law as well.

Khalid you and I may argue that it is not Islamic, but what is practiced by Muslims, becomes Islamic. Have Muslims stopped the above practices? Have the Ulema’s condemned it? What does the general Muslim public believe? Don't we have the right to speak out?

There is no punishment of Apostasy in Quran, and then we have Pastor Nadir Khani in Iran, Asia Bibi in Pakistan and a number of cases out there. Is that Divine Law?

If we have the space and room, we can put forth umpteen examples, but given the space a few examples are suffice.

Sharia is not divine law, it is a human understanding of what God meant, and its practice and understanding is flawed, not completely but a significant part of it.

When Prophet talks about going to China to seek knowledge, he did not restrict mode of transportation to camel exclusively, he meant using the available transportation. God injects the wise can see his hikma/ wisdom in these examples. When Prophet said the knowledgeable among you can lead the prayers, he did not restrict women from leading the prayers; it is the misogynistic attitudes among men that make us shout that woman cannot lead the prayers. Of course, it is my personal view.

I respect your conservatism, and you don’t need to pray behind a woman, if it were my mother, or any woman who is more knowledgeable than a given group, I will pray behind her. It is common sense, and you don’t need to become a takfiri and shove it in my face that I cannot. After all, there is no compulsion in Islam and no one but the individual is responsible for his or her actions.

Khalid you made attempts to be critical of me personally; I would rather stay with the subject. But I do admit, and appreciate your contribution in keeping me and us on the toes. It is good to have friends who fires at your take on the issue, it prevents me from falling in the pit.

I make mistakes regularly, but thank God, it gives me the opportunity to put a dent in what Geller or Horowitz says.

Mashood, my understanding is similar to yours, “Sharia is based on Divine will but as a body of law has been expounded by humans like you and me and therefore, open for debate and constant change as our knowledge of Quran and the universe grows.”

Thomas, thanks for the meaningful points, and I respect your opinions.


Khalid

I could do much better, and I have done well most of the times, but poorly a few times including being trashed. Last time, I did that to Pamela Geller, this time she was respectful.

The feed back I get from the calls and emails has one common underlying theme, thank you for prompting us to do the research, your challenge that the other side is wrong, causes us to look up instead of taking it all from the right wing media.

As a moderate Muslim, I don't reject everything said by Hannity, Pamela, Spencer, Horowitz or others, they do make a few points that we as Muslims need to address. As Muslims (not Islam) we have our problems. Most Ulema agree that there is no punishment for apostasy, but don't have the courage to put their name to it, I have gone through that. Same goes with Blasphemy, the one who speaks get thrown out of their country - like Ghamidi in Pakistan. The Indian Muslim law board is working on fixing the talaq issue.

There is hope, the last decade is perhaps is a decade in our history, that can be labeled as a decade of Muslim awakening. For the first time, criticism of Sharia, apostasy, blasphemy, treatment of rape victims, Hadiths (there are some, which Prophet could not have said it at all) are all questioned in public Square. This is perhaps what Allah means by Iqra, and this is what Prophet said - I am leaving this book behind for you to understand.

Mike Ghouse

Clergy and Muslim Leaders Welcome Rally for Religious Freedom at City Hall

Note: This site share my writings exclusively, however, when the news papers, radio or TV has a comment or a press release about me, it will be included and mentioned - Mike

# # 

Courtesy: Examiner

http://www.examiner.com/ecumenical-in-fort-worth/clergy-and-muslim-leaders-welcome-rally-for-religious-freedom-at-city-hall

(Dallas) Mr. Mike Ghouse, president of the Foundation for Pluralism, and a Muslim leader, has endorsed the Faith, Freedom and Family Tour rally at Dallas City Hall on Monday, Jan. 2, 2012. Mr. Ghouse, a columnist for the Dallas Morning News, joins local civic and religious leaders, including TV talk show host Ester Davis, as well as Japanese-Americans wearing Japanese kimonos, who will be on hand to welcome two university students stopping in Dallas during a 2,300-mile bicycle ride to raise awareness about the Japanese treatment of minorities. The rally will take place Monday at 10:00 a.m. at the flag poles in front of Dallas City Hall.

The goal of the tour is to raise public awareness of the fact that since 1966 more than 4,000 Unification Church members in Japan, as well as significant numbers of members of other faiths, have been abducted and confined for months or years of psychological and physical abuse in an effort to break their faith. Mr. Luke Higuchi, a Japanese survivor of abduction and forced conversion, will report his experience at the rally.

Mr. Ghouse recently has written:

“We in Dallas welcome these bike riders who highlight an issue that we should all think about. As global citizens we need to commit ourselves to building cohesive societies in which no one has to live in anxiety, apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other. This is what all of the spiritual masters wanted to do. This is what Jesus wanted to do, to create the Kingdom of Heaven.”

As has been reported on Examiner.com and elsewhere, two young scholars of Japanese and American descent, Mr. Seijin Tranberg and Mr. Joshua Wildman, both 22, began their Freedom Ride on December 15, 2011 in Atlanta, the birthplace of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, under the banner of “Faith, Freedom, and Family.”Prior to starting their tour, Mr. Tranberg briefed twelve congressmen at their offices on Capitol Hill. All 12, representing states from Georgia to California, expressed support for persecuted religious people of the world by signing Mr. Tranberg’s route map and posing with him for photographs

Some freedoms U.S. citizens take for granted are established by law within the borders of other countries but are still emerging in practice. In Japan, for example, religious freedom is guaranteed in its constitution, but Japanese authorities have not yet acted to prevent and prosecute violent crimes committed in the name of faith-breaking, perpetrated against members of minority faiths. Mr. Tranberg also is calling the rally to raise awareness of the rights abuses against religious minorities the world over, including Baptists in Russia, Coptic Christians in Egypt, Bahai’s in Iran, and many others.

Both Tranberg and Wildman have Japanese mothers and American Fathers. They also share membership in a persecuted minority faith, that of the Unification Church, founded by Rev. Sun Myung Moon. Representatives of several persecuted minority groups, including Nigerian Christians, Hindus, Ahmadiyya Muslims, Sikhs, Scientologists and others have been invited to participate. The rally celebrating their stop here in Dallas, at City Hall Plaza, already has sparked supportive comment from local leaders. Rev. Don E. Peavy, Sr., Associate Minister, New Vision Christian Church in Fort Worth has written:

“We wish Seijin and Joshua Godspeed in their momentous adventure to spread the Gospel of the common bond we all share as children of God. Their mission is particularly critical at this moment given the mass killings in Nigeria on Christmas Day and the religious insensitivity and intolerance which continue to keep far too many people from living the abundant life for which Jesus the Christ came into the world.”

The two bike riders will pedal out of Dallas Monday, January 2, and head west, to arrive in Los Angeles by Jan 29, 2012. Along the way they will be greeted by clergy, human-rights activists and well-wishers.

Contact:

Laura Lea

media relations HSA UWC

Unification Church of Texas

Phone: (281) 772-4116 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (281) 772-4116 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Norway, Terrorism & Counter Terrorism

First, we the people of all faiths, traditions and nations condemn the disgusting terrorist attack on Norway, killing at least eight and injuring scores. We extend our sympathies to the families and the victims of mindless terrorism.


Second, it is time to get rid of all the Terrorism experts that disgrace our television screens, Radio, Print and the Internet. Their advice to bomb and annihilate others has not worked and will never work. We cannot be safe if we keep threatening others with our might. Non-Violence approach will ensure that we all can live with freedom and without the fear of someone sticking it to us in our vulnerable moments.

Third, it is time to re-consider a long term policy on Terrorism; we cannot shut down terrorism with terror, when people take a position they dig in their heels and do more harm to themselves and others. Fact, religion, reason and logic are out of question for them, it’s you or me.

Full article is publication pending and will be available at www.TheGhousediary.com or http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/07/norway-terrorism-counter-terrorism.html

Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.  Over a 1000 articles have been published on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, India and cohesive societies. Two of his books are poised to be released this fall on Pluralism and Islam. He is available to speak at your place of worship, work, school, college, seminars or conferences. His work is indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Don’t make Allies with Jews and Christians

Don’t make Allies with Jews and Christians
Qura’an , Sura Al-Ma'idah (The Table Spread) Verse: 5: 51

This myth suits the right winger Muslims, Christians and Jews alike, where as the moderate majority goes on living and befriending every one they connect with without regard to religion, race, ethnicity or culture. 

Qur’an is a book of wisdom that guides humanity to find ways to co-exist in harmony, in spiritual terms that is Islam. God is not your property or mine, God belongs to all, we are all his, her or its’ creation and he loves his creation and offers that wisdom to every tribe, community and a nation. No one is above the other to him, only those who score 100 get extra recognition, all others pass and a few fail.

I know a few basics in Arabic; read and write and understand some. But there are enough translations out there to keep you up with its essence. I have resisted the temptation to learn Arabic – for I do not want to lose my ability to understand it as a non- Muslims would understand and bridge the gap as much as I can.

Here is the actual translation by Muhammad Asad;

5:51 (Asad) O YOU who have attained to faith! Do not take the Jews and the Christians for your allies: they are but allies of one another [72] and whoever of you allies himself with them becomes, verily, one of them; behold, God does not guide such evildoers. [73]

[72] According to most of the commentators (e.g., Tabari), this means that each of these two communities extends genuine friendship only to its own adherents-i.e., the Jews to the Jews, and the Christians to the Christians-and cannot, therefore, be expected to be really friendly towards the followers of the Qur'an. See also 8:73, and the corresponding note

[73] Lit., "the evildoing folk": i.e., those who deliberately sin in this respect. As regards the meaning of the "alliance" referred to here, see 3:28, and more particularly 4:139 and the corresponding note, which explains the reference to a believer's loss of his moral identity if he imitates the way of life of, or-in Qur'anic terminology-"allies himself" with, non-Muslims. However, as has been made abundantly clear in 60:7-9 (and implied in verse 57 of this surah), this prohibition of a "moral alliance" with non-Muslims does not constitute an injunction against normal, friendly relations with such of them as are well-disposed towards Muslims. It should be borne in mind that the term wali has several shades of meaning: "ally", "friend", "helper", "protector", etc. The choice of the particular term - and sometimes a -combination of two terms-is always dependent on the context.(Quran Ref: 5:51 )."

When there is a conflict with one, you make allies with the other to find solutions, it is human nature. But If there is already an alliance between the other two, as it is explicit in the verse, then you proceed with caution, a common human trait, as the purpose of finding solutions gets stinted.  You are on your own to figure out the best solution.

When Ferdinand expelled Jews and Muslims, they were allies against Christian ire at that time, they were allies in Spain, and they were allies in Jerusalem during the crusades. 

The Palestinian Christians and Muslims are allies against Israel's occupation, and you find different combinations to find security and balance among those who are oppressed.

The reference to evil doers applies to those who are evil doers and resist finding a peaceful solution. Evil doers are those who are a hindrance to peaceful existence, and it could be Muslims, Jews, Christians or anyone.

Despite how the verse is interpreted by the right,  the Muslims and Jews were allies in Spain and elsewhere, indeed the Jewish history calls it their Golden period. The Israel Palestinian conflict has really goofed up a lot of equations, giving it different colors and nuances.

Indeed the right wingers among Muslims believe the verse to mean not to make friends with Jews and Christians. That is not the case with most moderate Muslims as they see them fellow beings in a belief in oneness of God.

Now if the Circumcision ban, Kosher/ Halal ban gains grounds Jews and Muslims will be allies against a common threat to their existence, again it is a natural things, as Quraan calls it Fitra.   I was one of the first Muslims to stand up with Jews on many occasions including the impending-but-going-to-failed ban on circumcision.

(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/circumcision-satire_b_872270.html )

The nature of right wingers no matter what religion they wear translates into pre-emptive attacks as a measure of security.  They are insecure and constantly live in imagined threats, and pump themselves to explode on to others, some bomb other nations, some attack on public media. The real clash occurs between the right wingers of religions and politicians and not the majority of good people.

I am friends with humanity regardless of their religion.  I have chosen to be a Muslim and I will remain one with no bias towards one single human being.  I am writing a pieces called Mukhlooqul Aalameen – an extension of Rabbul Aalameen to Rahmatul Aalameen to Mukhlooqul Aalameen, that is the ultimate in Islamic spirituality, you become Brahma where no distinctions between you and another being fade.

Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive Societies and nurturing the pluralistic values embedded in Islam for the good of humanity. What is good for Muslims has got to be good for the world and Vice-Versa to sustain peace and harmony on the planet.

 Thank you, Mike, for your response. As a follow up question to your response, may I ask you if you know the Arabic of the Quran and if you are familiar with the terms and the words that the people of the Tribe of Quraish used in the time of the Prophet Muhammad?

You say that Yusuf Ali was influenced by the Mufassirs in his translation of the Quran. Perhaps, you are correct in your understanding, but would you please explain who those Mufassirs were and where they got their knowledge from?

For your information, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is the cradle of Islam and whose only official language is Arabic, has approved only one English translation of the Quran and it is by Yusuf Ali. His translation was scrutinized by a committee of Arabic speaking scholars of Quran, Hadiths and Tafsir and they also looked into each word Yusuf Ali has used in his translation.

Only after a thorough examination of his translation and commentary, was Ali's translation approved for being very close to the Arabic words of the Quran - a privilege and honor that no other translator of the Quran has been able to earn from the very nation of which Muhammad was a son and a Prophet!

Now coming to Mohammad Asad, he has translated verse 5:51 almost in the same words that Yusuf Ali and Pickthall have used in their respective translations. Asad's translation reads:

"O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors of each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily God guideth not a people unjust."

Since Asad appears to you to be more credible in the translation of the Quran than other translators, can you please tell me if you agree with the above translation of his, and if you follow what Allah has clearly told the Muslims in regard to their relationship with the Jews and Christians?

As a Muslim, do you take the Jews and the Christians to be your friends and if you do, can you please tell me if you have not become a Jew (if you have taken a Jew as your friend) or a Christian (if you have taken a Christian as your friend)?

Or, do you think that the passages of the Quran, like the above, need to be changed, or "interpreted" differently, keeping our present time and circumstances in mind?

Your considered and educative discourse will be very helpful to me. Thanks.

Mohammad Asghar

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "MikeGhouse@aol.com"

Sent: Fri, July 8, 2011 10:01:15 AM

Subject: Re: Logans Challenge to Frequent Sean Hannity Guest Mike Ghouse

AA

Muhammad Asad is by far the best, not absolutely, but relatively.

While Yusuf Ali, Pickthall were the early ones, they were going in circles and were influenced by the Mufassirs of the yore. Need fresh thinking.

The bad ones are done by the Europeans and Hilali Khan

Mike

In a message dated 7/8/2011 11:08:18 A.M. Central Daylight Time, xxxxx@yahoo.com writes:

Mike,

You have written:

"Robert Spencer, Geert Wilders, Brigitte Gabriel, Nonie Darwish, Wafa Sultan, Alan Dershowitz, Ali Sina and a host of others are guided by those translations and it suits them to sell hate and frightened nincompoops write those checks. "

Could you please let me know which translation of the Quran into English you believe is correct and it is done by whom? In other words, whose translation of the Quran you have read or are reading to make the above claim? Thanks.

Mohammad Asghar

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "MikeGhouse@aol.com" MikeGhouse@aol.com

Sent: Thu, July 7, 2011 10:10:05 PM

Subject: Logans Challenge to Frequent Sean Hannity Guest Mike Ghouse

Facts don't matter to some. They did not matter to Bush

I am pleased to respond to Logan’s challenge on the net hoping he and his friends will be open to seeing another point of view. I pray that he and his friends read this with an open mind and an open heart. (of the 3200 words nearly 2400 are quotes from Quraan)

Each one of us bears responsibility to do his or her share of work in creating cohesive societies where everyone feels safe and secure, and trust one another to make life easier for one and the others. You and I are responsible for our own actions and we have to do our share of good in creating such societies. We have a choice not do a thing and not hear from any.

Just around the crusades, the European kings commissioned a hostile Quran translation to foster warfare against Muslim invaders to get their subject to go fight for them. Then after the fall of Ottoman Empire, a Muslim turns around and produced a hostile translation of Quran to inflame Muslims against Christians and Jews.

Religions were introduced to bring sanity to people, most people get it and few don’t. There are a few Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Jews and others who don’t get their religion and resort to oppression and hate mongering without realizing it. If they spend their energy on building peace we will have a much better society to live.

Robert Spencer, Geert Wilders, Brigitte Gabriel, Nonie Darwish, Wafa Sultan, Alan Dershowitz, Ali Sina and a host of others are guided by those translations and it suits them to sell hate and frightened nincompoops write those checks.

I am willing to discuss this further, if there is intellectual discussion without judgments, if not, don’t expect me to correspond any further. I have referenced some material below where a few men have run off instead of dealing with the issues they raised.

Here is my respose to Logann's challenge: http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/mike-ghouse/37186/my-challenge-to-frequent-sean-hannity-guest-mike-ghouse

Your comments at the site are appreciated.

Mike Ghouse

Muslim involvement in American independence in 1776

Muslim involvement in American independence in 1776
.

Upon declaration of our independence on July 4, 1776, two of the first three heads of states who recognized the sovereignty of the United States were Muslim.

Morocco was the first state to recognize the independence of the United States of America, and they signed the Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship; first of it's kind. Friesland, one of the seven United Provinces of the Dutch Republic, was the next to recognize American independence (February 26, 1782) and Tippu Sultan, the King of Mysore State (India) was the third. According to Dr. Range Gowda, Tippu Sultan’s historiographer, the congratulatory letter to America is preserved in a French Library.

More at: Washington Post
# # #

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker, writer and a frequent guest on Hannity show and nationally syndicated Radio shows and Dallas TV, Radio and Print Media. He presides America Together Foundation and is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Over 1000 articles have been published on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, India and cohesive societies. Two of his books are poised to be released this fall on Pluralism and Islam. He is available to speak at your place of worship, work, school, college, seminars or conferences. His work is encapsulated in 27 blogs, four websites and several forums indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Can Muslims be good Americans?

You many have received an email with the heading, “Can Muslims be good Americans?” I have received this at least a dozen times. Do you need to respond to it? The choice is yours; no one has the time to hammer away hatred. 

There is a lot out there in circulation and I am pleased to have worked on responses, if you get that again, send them this or create your own. Indeed some of the Islamophobes like Robert Spencer, Nonie Darwish, Geert Wilders, MA Khan, Ali Sina, Walid Shoebet, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Newt Gingrich, Brigitte Gabriele, David Horowitz, Steven Shamrock, Wafa Sultan and others are consistently showing their dumbness in attacking Islam. These men with hate cannot speak love, the lust for power has made them abandon common good things about civility, just like some of the radicals among Muslims.

Let me ask yout this, if there are 200 murders a year in New York City, can we say, all the New Yorkers are murderers? Can we deduce that if Dallas gives 1000 traffic tickets a month, all the Dallasites are reckless drivers? If there are a few bad Muslims, how does it it make Muslims bad guys?

 

By the way, I am a Republican and like a majority of us, I am a moderate one who cares for every American and stand up for the rights of every American, to me that is a conservative value.

The men and women waving the flag of conservatism like Gingrich and the folks are abusing the usage of the word conservative. I am am saddened that my affiliations with the Republican party, a darn good party is flooded with extremists at the helm. As Americans we can handle the extremists, but difficult to deal with the monkies. I need to build my Republican base to make our Party a truly conservative party and purge the extremism from the extremists.

In the following, dialogues, some dude responded to it in a dozen ways to the question, can Muslim be good Americans? To distinguish who is who, the line starts with his name.

# # #

Can a good Muslim be a good American? 

Apparentely, this question was forwarded to a friend who worked in Saudi Arabia for 20 years. The following was his reply:   

Dude:  Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Theologically - no... Because his allegiance is to Allah, The moon god of Arabia. 

Mike Ghouse: There is no moon God for Muslims, no Muslim has ever heard of it. You can call any Muslim and find the truth for yourselves.  There is only one God, It, he or she is kind, merciful and just. Every one of the 114 chapters in Quraan start with those attributes except one, where it is mentioned in the text. The allegiance is to the invisible creator of the universe who belongs to all of us, and all of us are his creation.  
  
Dude:   Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Religiously - no... Because no other religion is accepted by His Allah except Islam. (Quran, 2:256)(Koran) 
  

Mike Ghouse: This man could have at least read the quote. How many of you believed him when he said, “Because no other religion is accepted by His Allah except Islam.”  The quote reads differently.

Well, here is 2:256 "Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error ..." This is Islam's unambiguous affirmation of freedom of faith, which also applies to changing of faith. The Qur'an illuminates before the humanity the two highways [90:10], one of which leads to salvation. Islam is an invitation to the highway toward salvation, but it is based on FREEDOM OF CHOICE.

However many a Muslims believe that “No other religion is acceptable to Allah except Islam” based on verse: 3:85 (Asad) “For, if one goes in search of a religion other than self-surrender unto God, it will never be accepted from him, and in the life to come he shall be among the lost.” They take it verb Islam as noun Islam.

Islam in its general meaning is submission to the will of God; which is caring for life and environment and maintaining the balance within oneself and with others. The key word is “self-surrender unto the creator”. Anyone who follows the laws of goodness (surrender) to keep peace in the society is following the Den, the dharma, the righteous path to sustain peace. As the verses are quoted earlier, if you do the right karma, God will shower his grace regardless of whether you are a Muslim or not.

Dude:   Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Scripturally - no... Because his allegiance is to the five Pillars of Islam and the Quran.

Mike Ghouse: Muslim Allegiance is to God, the day of accounting and righteous deeds, the five Pillars of Islam are the ritual practices to achieve piety. They are 1) Witness that there is no God but God and Muhammad is his prophet, 2) Prayers, 3) Fasting, 4) Zakat (tithe) and 5) Pilgrimage. Jihad is not the pillar of Islam.

I was on a bus in Israel, the tourist guide started out the history of Islam saying the first pillar of Islam was Jihad, killing the infidels… I spoke up and an Imam on the bus joined me in addressing the five pillars of Islam. The guide at least agreed to tell the right thing from here on, we gave her a printed copy of it at the Hotel.  Hell, some Muslims also believe Jihad is the 6^th pillar of Islam.

By the way, a Muslims faith is incomplete without a belief in all the prophets and the name of Jesus is often referenced in Quraan.  Muslims believe that Jesus will come back as the messiah and restore the kingdom of heaven where no one has to live in the fear of the other. It is Jesus who is coming back and not Muhammad.

Quraan 2;62 - “VERILY, those who have attained to faith [in this divine writ], as well as those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Christians, and the Sabians -- all who believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds -- shall have their reward with their Sustainer; and no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve.”

Quraan 22:34 – “For each congregation we have decreed rites whereby they commemorate the name of GOD for providing them with the livestock. Your god is one and the same god; you shall all submit to Him. Give good news to the obedient.”
 
Dude:  Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Geographically - no... Because his allegiance is to Mecca, to which he turns in prayer five times a day.
 

Mike Ghouse: Mecca is the focal point to build uniformity and harmony. A system was created so all worshippers can face in one direction instead of multiple directions. There is no other value than that; it is a sanctuary where people walk in putting aside their conflicts, malice, ill-will and evilness.   It is as simple as 500 people sitting in a church facing the pulpit instead of each one facing in different direction. There is no allegiance to Mecca

Dude:  Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Socially - no... Because his allegiance to Islam forbids him to make friends with Christians or Jews.

Mike Ghouse: That is sheer non-sense, a Muslim can marry a Jew or a Christian woman without even converting her, the only requirement to marry is that she believes in one God, meaning oneness of God, commitment to one God, one creator….  We dealt with the issue in the Quraan conference, the verse was read by a Catholic bishop, among the ten other denominations. Just read it in the Quraan. Check it out at http://www.quraanconference.com/

Dude:  Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Politically - no.... Because he must submit to the mullahs (spiritual leaders), who teach annihilation of Israel and destruction of America, the great Satan.

Mike Ghouse:  Muslims do not submit to any Mullah, they submit to God alone. I am really laughing at this.  For a majority of Muslims there is no Mullah, there is no central authority in Islam. They put up with them at times in the Friday sermons, but few will support idiotic Mullahs... they are in every group, Mullah Pastor Hagee spews out hate, Obama’s pastor did… Mullah Pat Robertson is hateful, but does he represent the views of all Christians? Muslim clergy are no exception; there are a few bad ones.

However about 15% of Muslim who follow Shia, have some central authority, but they are divided as well and their allegiance to their leaders is for civic leadership.

Islam has nothing to do with destruction of Israel, the Hamas charter calls for it, it was written in 1988, where as the Israeli leaders have said the opposite since 1948 – to treat Palestinians as roaches and push them in to the desert holes. Islam does not even approve killing another human, unless it is in self defense.  Neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians mean it, they want peace.

Let’s assume, Russians arm the native Americans and create a land for them in Texas, and they become militant and as powerful as Israel and go on rampaging others,  boot the people out of their homes and take over…because it was their land before… what do you do, just lay down? While you pillage, bomb and steal their houses?  That is what the Palestinians are doing, fighting for their rights.  

Shame on us Americans to have listened to the right wing Christians; go by what the Israelis want. They want peace, the right wing Christians and Jews in the US want to mess it up.  The right wing among Muslims or no angels either; they mess up other people’s lives.

Dude:  Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Domestically - no... Because he is instructed to marry four Women and beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys him. (Quran 4:34)

Mike Ghouse: Read 4:32- 4:37 yourselves. An American Christian woman told me in the Quraan conference.  She would rather be a Muslim woman who gets hit with a feather like stick upon infidelity, than an American Christian man who will violently kill her if he finds her sleeping with another man, or a Hindu man who would douse her in Kerosene and burn her alive. The instruction was not to kill but beat her with a feather like stick as a discipline… the new and correct understanding is “if you find your woman sleeping with another man, go for separation. “ She said to Google the stats, More American men kill their spouse/partners violently than all men combined in the world.  

The wrong interpretation has been in circulation that goes against the very grain of Prophet’s teaching – fair and equitable and to treat your spouse with utmost dignity. Check this out. http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2009/05/wife-beating-quraan-434.html

Polygamy has been around; while go through a legal process many a Men abuse women any way. Muslims are no exception.  The instruction was limit to 4 for social justice purpose and not for lust.  It was not an ordinance, but exception in cases where the woman needed protection … for example after WWII and Vietnam war thousands of women were put on the street… men abused them and took advantage of them, spreading STD’s.. and other stuff… instead of treating a woman as a whore and dehumanize her, marry her and give her the dignity of life she deserves...  it was to be approved by his first wife to ensure it was justice and not lust. Abuses happen every where… look in our own backyard… Look at Wiener, Clinton, Newt Gingrich… and some of your friends.

I stand opposed to polygamy, but I have no problem if men marry more than one woman in Iraq, where Bush bombing has put over 250,000 women on street; what do you do with them? Men take advantage of women, they want to use for the favors whether they are American or Arabian.  The make them dependent?  Give the food for sex? That is a shameless men trait no matter where that man is from. I rather see dignity given to a woman than make her dependent and use her as a sex object. Only in that situation and to give her dignity and not for lust.

Dude:  Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Intellectually - no... Because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt.

Mike Ghouse:  American constitution and Islam have a lot in common- Justice, Equality, dignity and respect for all. Don’t give me that it is not the case, indeed it is, we in America did not treat the women and African men equally until 50 years ago... Because we misread our own constitution, thanks God all of us are growing ….. Muslims also know that Averroes the Muslim influenced the two other wise men Aquinas and Maimonides, who are influential in our constitution drafting. Indeed, the US Supreme court has the frieze that shows Quraan. 

 
Dude:  Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Philosophically - no... Because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran does not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist. Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic. 

Mike Ghouse:  " ... Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error ..." [2:256] this is Islam's unambiguous affirmation of freedom of faith, which also applies to changing of faith. The Qur'an illuminates before the humanity the two highways [90:10], one of which leads to salvation. Islam is an invitation to the highway toward salvation, but it is based on FREEDOM OF CHOICE.

5:8 (Asad) O YOU who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in your devotion to God, bearing witness to the truth in all equity; and never let hatred of any-one ^[19] lead you into the sin of deviating from justice. Be just: this is closest to being God-conscious. And remain conscious of God: verily, God is aware of all that you do.

Dude:  Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Spiritually - no... Because when we declare 'one nation under God,' The Christian's God is loving and kind, while Allah is NEVER referred to as Heavenly father, nor is he ever called love in the Quran's 99 excellent names. 

Mike Ghouse:  It’s a pledge every Muslim takes. One nation under God indivisible … looks like this dude who wrote is divisive.

 [4:59] O you who believe, you shall obey GOD, and you shall obey the messenger, and those in charge among you. If you dispute in any matter, you shall refer it to GOD and the messenger, if you do believe in GOD and the Last Day. This is better for you, and provides you with the best solution.

Dude:  Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Therefore, after much study and deliberation... Perhaps we should be very suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS in this country. - - - They obviously cannot be both 'good' Muslims and 'good' Americans.  Call it what you wish it's still the truth... You had better believe it. The more who understand this, the better it will be for our country and our future.

Quraan 49:6 “O YOU who have attained to faith! If any iniquitous person comes to you with a [slanderous] tale, use your discernment, lest you hurt people unwittingly and afterwards be filled with remorse for what you have done.”
 “i.e., verify the truth before giving credence to any such report or rumor. The tale-bearer is characterized as "iniquitous" because the very act of spreading unsubstantiated rumors affecting the reputation of other persons constitutes a spiritual offence.”
President Reagan had echoed the same sentiments with the phrase, Trust, but verify and Bhagvad Gita guides, finding the truth is one’s own responsibility. 
"O you who believe, you shall be equitable, and observe GOD, when you serve as witnesses. Do not be provoked by your conflicts with some people into committing injustice. You shall be equitable, for it is more righteous. You shall observe GOD. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do" (Quran 5:8)

Mike Ghouse:  I hope you can see the BS this guy has given and I pray that you circulate this to the same sources you got this from. And I ask you to check it out:

Read this, there is an item about Quraan Mistranslations in this:

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

To check Quraan Translations go to: http://www.islamicity.com/QuranSearch/    

Check this site www.Quraantoday.com and www.QuraanConference.com  

By the way, there were similar articles by many:

All these men and women are about making money, frightening the crap out of you and ask for money, every time.

Geert Wilders – check out his questions and my response:http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/01/muslim-response-to-wilders.html

Nonie Derwish - http://hatesermons.blogspot.com/2009/08/nonie-darwish-hate-monger.html

MA Khan, a Muslim turned Christian http://www.islam-watch.org/MA_Khan/Does-Quran-Incite-Violence-Debate-Mike-Ghouse-MA-Khan-1.htm

Robert Spencer

http://archive.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=26113

A Good Muslims is a good American is a good Canadian,

A Good Christians is a …..

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Mike Ghouse is a speaker thinker and a writer offering pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

Here are my speaking topics - Islam, Pluralism and Inspiration.

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THIS FOLLOWING NON-SENSE IS IN CIRCULATION

This is very interesting and we all need to read it from start to finish.  And send it on to everyone.  Maybe this is why our American Muslims are so quiet and not speaking out about any atrocities. 
 
Can a good Muslim be a good American? 
 
This question was forwarded to a friend who worked in Saudi Arabia for 20 years. The following is his reply:
 
Theologically - no... Because his allegiance is to Allah, The moon god of Arabia. 
  
Religiously - no... Because no other religion is accepted by His Allah except Islam. (Quran, 2:256)(Koran) 
  
 Scripturally - no... Because his allegiance is to the five Pillars of Islam and the Quran.
 
Geographically - no... Because his allegiance is to Mecca, to which he turns in prayer five times a day.
 
Socially - no... Because his allegiance to Islam forbids him to make friends with Christians or Jews.
 
Politically - no.... Because he must submit to the mullahs (spiritual leaders), who teach annihilation of Israel and destruction of America, the great Satan.
 
Domestically - no... Because he is instructed to marry four Women and beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys him. (Quran 4:34 )
 
Intellectually - no... Because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt.
 
Philosophically - no... Because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran does not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist. Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic. 
  
Spiritually - no... Because when we declare 'one nation under God,' The Christian's God is loving and kind, while Allah is NEVER referred to as Heavenly father, nor is he ever called love in the Quran's 99 excellent names. 
  
Therefore, after much study and deliberation... Perhaps we should be very suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS in this country. - - - They obviously cannot be both 'good' Muslims and 'good' Americans.  Call it what you wish it's still the truth.. You had better believe it. The more who understand this, the better it will be for our country and our future.

The religious war is bigger than we know or understand!
 
Footnote: The Muslims have said they will destroy us from within.
SO FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.

THE MARINES WANT THIS TO ROLL ALL OVER THE U.S.
 
Please don't delete this until you send it on.

~~~~

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer. He is committed to building a cohesive America.

The Foundation for Pluralism champions the idea of co-existence through respecting and accepting the otherness of other, and World Muslim Congress is committed to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam. Mike is available to speak on Pluralism, Islam, Civil Societies, and Peace & Justice at your work place, place of worship, school,  seminars or conferences.  He is a media commentator offering pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.  Mike's work is reflected at three websites & twenty two Blogs listed at http://www.MikeGhouse.net/