I Love America; Happy Valentine’s day

What a joy it is to sing songs about America while praying for other nations to be blessed like ours,  and live like us, which is live your life and let others live theirs. There is nothing like America.

Yasmeen and I were at Brazarios Restaurant in down town Louisville for the Valentine’s Day lunch. What I want to share is our conversation and what we saw around us, which I have captured to a little extent in the camera, though the pictures aren’t good, but you can see through them.

On the table to our right were African American Couples, two tables down was a white middle aged couple, and behind to the right of us were a Chinese Couple with a few Japanese with them, and one directly behind two tables was a gay couple and way to the right was a Jewish couple.

I can’t tell you the euphoric feeling to be in the midst of this environment. This is the America we all cherish and want to sustain.  Just 55 years ago, this would not have happened, none of this would have been possible. Thanks to Martin Luther King, John F Kennedy, Lyndon B Johnson and the majority of White Americas for uplifting America to be one of the most exemplary nations on the earth.  

Regardless of the rhetoric of a few (yes a few) men in the fore front, who are misogynists, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic and anti-Semitic, America ain’t like them and a majority of American’s are like them either. The presidential candidates are not a representation of Americans.

America is a nation where we respect the otherness of others, and accept the God given uniqueness of each one of us whether we are Atheists, Baha’i, Buddhist, and Christian, Jain, Jewish, Muslims, Native Americans, Pagans, Sikhs, Wicca, Zoroastrians and every one in between.

It saddens me to see “a few” radicals among Hindus and Muslims, who are hell bent on  terrorizing or harassing the lovers in India and Pakistan, be it in a store or restaurant, let alone in the parks. I wish the heads of the states in both nations speak up and tell everyone that they will not tolerate harassing and terrorizing fellow countrymen for celebrating Valentine’s day. Here is a note for them at www.TheGhousediary.com or www.Interfaithspeaker.com

I also appeal to a few religious parents in America not to put down our culture, you can tell your kids that Valentine’s day is not a part of your tradition, but you cannot put it down, as their friends do celebrate and your kids don’t see anything wrong with the celebration.  If you oppose them, you are pushing them to live two lives – one a pretentious life with you and the other with their friends and that is wrong. You have a choice to raise them in another country where they live their lives in silos. No one should live two lives and it is not good for them or you.

Next year, if I am alive, we will have discussions within the ethnic and religious groups who are yet to integrate in our society.  Meanwhile, enjoy my current article at www.TheGhouseDiary.com

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Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net for his writings at TheGhousediary.com and several blogs listed there in.

Thank you Martin Luther King Jr - 7 things about MLK

Gratitude to Martin Luther King, Jr | TheGhouseDiary.com

Firstly, we the people owe a great deal to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.  A majority of us Americans were living with a sense of guilt, a sense of being rotten the way we treated our fellow men and women.    His struggle has liberated us from such pain,  and has brought freedom to the oppressed Black Men and women, we still have ways to go, but go we will.

MLK- changed the morality of America for better

Secondly, we the people appreciate the white majority to have stood up for what was right – and join MLK on the steps of Lincoln Memorial to let the administration know what was morally right needs to become the law of the land.

Thirdly, we appreciate the African American community for enduring the humility and non-violently appealing to the morality of the nation and bring about the change that was needed.

Fourthly, we the immigrant Americans, particularly the non-whites would not have made it to America, had it not been for the Civil rights acts that MLK caused to happen. All of us non-white Americans owe our success to MLK and we need to pray for his soul today.

 Fifthly, as Indian Americans, we appreciate MLK, who saw the value in Mahatma Gandhi’s’ non-violent methods to turn the oppressors around to see the futility in their approach. In MLK's own voice - https://www.facebook.com/cspanhistory/videos/880821915364690/

Sixthly, as Muslim Americans, we are deeply committed to building a cohesive America, where no American has to feel alienated, apprehensive or fearful of the fellow Americans. We are committed to the safety and security of America.

Seventhly, I invite my fellow Americans to take time to reflect on the bottom line work of all the great spiritual masters and civic leaders in creating such societies, and share your favorite quote of MLK.

Thanks for taking the time to read my heartfelt notes.

Our mission at America Together Foundation is to build a cohesive America, where we are all a part of the great web called America, and whatever we do to us or ourselves, will affect us all.

God bless Martin Luther King Jr., and God bless America

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net for his writings at TheGhousediary.com and several blogs listed there in.

Congressman John Lewis from Georgia's 5th District

Congressman John Lewis | www.TheGhouseDiary.com

Monday, January 4, 2015 - Washington, DC -- I walked into my favorite Chinese Restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue, and spotted Congressman John Lewis, and walked up to him, he was gracious and we carried a conversation. What a joy it was to have this accidental Dinner meeting. 

He is a good listener indeed, and listened to my narrative about speaking from the steps of Lincoln Memorial, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his " I have a dream" speech which gave birth to the civil rights acts fulfilling the founding fathers vision that we are all created equal. 

We chose the same steps to deliver our speech, and our vision where Muslims will be accepted as equals and reach a new milestone of integration. 

He was happy to hear that as Muslims and Christians came together to celebrate once in our life time auspicious birth event of Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad on Saturday, December 26th on the very steps where MLK spoke his dream.  The idea of the event was to come together to create a better America for every American. 

He said, he was in Atlanta during that time, and would have loved to join the event. We have many more events coming up this year and we will make sure to invite him.

More about John Lewis - https://johnlewis.house.gov/john-lewis/biography

Mike Ghouse | (214) 325-1916 

 

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, newsmaker and a professional speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam,  politics, human rights, Terrorism,  and foreign policy.  Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at TheGhousediary.com 

Fighting Idolatry of a different kind

FIGHTING IDOLATRY OF A DIFFERENT KIND | www.TheGhouseDiary.com 

… The other day, three individuals attacked me in unison about holding the protest against Terrorists on the steps of Lincoln Memorial; all was going good, but the criticism unnerved me. It was a major mile stone and I did not want to make a mistake. I took a deep breath and meditated for a few minutes to restore myself.

A brilliant idea came to my mind; I placed my father’s picture in front me, an affectionate man who had no enemies, even those who thought were his enemies, mellowed with his caring non-hostile affectionate attitude towards them. I gazed at his picture for a while with admiration, in turn I became affectionate in my response to my future friends, one of them apologized later, the other two have not yet, but that’s fine, the hostility seems to has ceased.

This morning, I woke up at 2:30 AM, and could not sleep, so I sat up looking at the things I needed to do this week, reworking the priorities. I looked up, and found my Dad was looking at me and telling me something powerful; I heard him, son, remove my picture, you don’t need me as a symbol to calm you down, go ahead and take it down. He said don’t you worship me, I am gone long time ago, take the picture down but keep me alive in your mind if you want! I hesitated, but took down not only his picture, but out went Mahatma Gandhi’s picture as well. There is nothing wrong with that, but being independent is more important, being inspired without symbolism or idolatry is much better.

I keep wondering why Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) insisted on not having his portrait or sculpt his bust, when every King or famous person likes to see his ego boosting images plastered all over. He did not want to be the object of admiration but remain an inspiration, so he said, I will be dead and gone like everyone else, and you keep honoring the eternal energy that created you, and the energy that wants you to keep a balance within you and with others around you. Harmony is they name, that is indeed God’s will.

However, I still have the pictures of Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Pope Frances, MLK and my Father on the facebook page, I see them each time I open the facebook, and they inspire me. My main inspirers are Muhammad and Jesus, and I don’t intend to imagine them in any fashion but remembering and following their message of love, equality, mercy and humility. It’s 3:23 AM.

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and bulk of his writings are at TheGhousediary.com  

American Muslims are proud of taking the right steps towards integration

American Muslims are proud of taking the right steps towards integration. www.AmericanMuslimInstitution.org  

On Friday, November 20, 2015, the American Muslims took a bold step in their journey towards being-one with fellow Americans.  

The American Muslim Institution (AMI) led the demonstrations against Terrorism and Daesh on the steps of Lincoln Memorial;  this historic location was chosen to mirror the efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who brought a positive change to the American civil society with his immortal, “I have a dream speech" on the very same steps.

It was indeed a symbolic event for American Muslims, and the foundation for a positive change was laid.The next event was held within hours across the White House by ADAMS Center and another one by APPNA at Dupont Circle the very next day. Now, it is gathering momentum.  

The apprehensions and the conflicts Muslims feel is a result of actions and reactions feeding each other. The Media is blamed for amplifying the negative portrayal of Muslims, while our own attitudes have also contributed towards to the feeding frenzy. It is time to change the equation.  

Mother Teresa had said if you want to make peace with your enemies, go talk with them. Praise the Lord, we have begun the process.  Media is not our enemy; they are merely reflecting the fears of a few, some of them have not taken the time to differentiate between religion and its followers, and have mistaken us with the Daesh, Talibans, Al-Qaeda and their ilk. It is our duty to correct these gross errors on a continual basis. God willing, we hope to conduct seminars and workshops with the media to rectify some of the false perceptions about us. Good and healthy communications can always pave the way for better understanding.

We hear, "the proof is in the pudding", indeed it is. In the following links (four videos), listen to the tone of Sean Hannity, Stuart Varney, and Richard Ray of Fox News. They have responded to positive engagement. There is a new emerging language of understanding and support. What has not worked is disengagement; I would rather engage and fail than cause us to dig in our heels.
This week’s output;    

1. A small step for Muslims, but a giant leap for America - Link

1. Thanksgiving (Interfaith), an  unforgettable story of Appaiah - Link

1. Stuart Varney on Fox -Lincoln Memorial – Link

1. Richard Ray on Fox Dallas -Pastor Jeffress – Link

1. Sean Hannity on Fox about Syrian Refugees – Link

1. Stuart Varney of Fox complains  - Link

1. American Muslims Demonstrate against ISIS - Link

1. War on Terror is the dumbest idea ever floated - Link

1. Islamic way of dealing Terrorism – Link

1. American Muslims Condemn ISIS - Link

1. Rabbi Jonathan Sachs Hugs Mike on the stage. Link

1. Moderate Muslims Speak out? Link

1. What has Sean Hannity done for us? Link (last 9 of the 15 minutes)

The American Muslim Institution is formed with three specific goals - work with the media, mitigate Islamophobia and speed up the process of integration. We hope to get to the point where fellow Americans will see Muslims as their neighbors and fellow citizens, committed to fight against violent extremism and to protect the homeland. No more them against us, it will be all of us working together for a prosperous, secure and cohesive America. . 

Since August 4th, we have been written up in nearly 300 media outlets, this event at Lincoln Memorial has produced nearly 60 Media reports-videos and write ups.  You can Google "American Muslim Institution." Insha Allah, we will upload all of them including our own video and pictures on this site www.AmericanMuslimInstitution.org  within a few weeks.

An integrated society functions effectively when we are all on the same page with our uniqueness.  When we demonstrated against Terrorism and Daesh on the steps of Lincoln Memorial, it resonated with fellow Americans; both of us were against the monsters.  When we celebrate 4th of July in the biggest possible way, it will resonate with fellow Americans; both of us become fellow patriots.  When armed protesters head towards Mosques with a confused intent, we can greet them with kindness and caring hospitality, hoist American flags on our mosques grounds, serve grilled hot dogs and water, the hostility will dissipate and they will view us as fellow Americans instead of perceived hostility. We must connect with them instead alienating them. 

Of course, I suggest our Friday Sermons to teach us in dealing with conflicts in the most simple way.

Islamophobia? Right now 63% of Americans don't see Muslims favorably; we can bring this number down to 32% in 3 years. If you are willing to do certain basic things. I will be happy to give a talk and present practical action plan to your group,  listing seven little and seven big things we can do to shape our future with fellow Americans. We cannot postpone this and live in misery for another decade.  

Mike Ghouse,Executive DirectorAmerican Muslim InstitutionA proactive voice for American MuslimsWashington, DC(214) 325-1916 

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam,politics, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine,foreign policy and building cohesive societies. Mike offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at TheGhousediary.com.