Press Release: 14th Annual Holocaust and Genocides event

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Dr. Mike Ghouse
Washington, DC
Phone (214) 325-1916
email:Mike@Centerforpluarlism.com

Muslims Commemorating Holocaust and Genocides Event

January 10, 2019, Washington, DC – The Center for Pluralism is deeply committed to education and regularly brings Americans together to learn about each other’s joys and suffering. It is an initiative to build responsible civic societies, where justice and co-existence are our values.

The Holocaust and the Genocides commemoration is an initiative of American Muslims, to stand with all the men, women and children who have endured the Holocaust, genocides, massacres, bombs, annihilation, land mines, hunger, rape, torture, occupation, and inhuman brutality and continue to be apprehensive about such happenings.

The “Story behind” the reason for Muslims to take this initiative is listed athttp://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com/

We have to learn, acknowledge and reflect upon the terrible things we have inflicted upon each other and have to commit to ourselves to resist the temptations to be prejudiced towards others. We cannot expect others to be peaceful unless we are peaceful ourselves.

Imam Faizul Khan of the Islamic Society of Washington Area in Silver Spring, MD states, “Muslims, are guided to stand up for the rights of others, and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says, if you cannot stop the oppression, the least you can do is speak up, and we are pleased to support this initiative.” 

“For a long time, Jewish people commemorated the Holocaust event among themselves, and it is good to know that Muslims have taken the initiative to spread the knowledge among people of different faiths and worldviews.” Add Dan Spiro, President of Jewish Islamic Dialogue Society.

The least we can do in the process of healing is to acknowledge everyone's pain in one voice. We have begun the process of coming together as one people and stand with each other, we are indeed one world and one humanity, and caring for each other bring safety and peace to all of us. I cannot be safe if the people around me are not, and I will not have peace if people around me don't. It is in my interest to seek a peaceful world for one and all.

We are working on initiating a course on tolerance education, so one day; we all can learn to have a heart that opens to the pain of every human, yes, we can do that.

Program: 14th Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides

Holocaust

Syrian Refugee Crisis

Rohingya Ethnic Cleansing 

Uyghur Chinese Muslims 

Crimean Tartars 

Organized by the Center for Pluralism

Supporting Organizations:

1. Jewish Islamic Dialogue Society- http://Jids.org
2. Islamic Society of the Washington Area - http://iswamd.org/
3. World Muslim Congress - http://worldmuslimcongress.org/
4. JAMAAT - Jews Muslims and Allies acting together
5. Foundation for Ethnic Understanding
6. Muslim Institute - Interfaith Studies & Understanding
7. Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) - UHRP.ORG
8. Uyghur-American Association (UAA) - UAA.org
9. World Uyghur Congress (WUC) - Uyghurcongress.org
10. Great Truth 

The Center for Pluralism and the World Muslim Congress are deeply committed to education and relentlessly pursue building cohesive societies where no human has to live in apprehension and fear of the other.

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holocaust-and-genocides-event-tickets-54157371155

INFO: https://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com/2018/12/14th-annual-reflections-on-holocaust.html

The Center for Pluralism is deeply committed to education and relentlessly pursue cohesive building societies where no human has to live in apprehension and fear of the other. More about us at us http://centerforpluralism.com/mission-accomplished-at-the-center-for-pluralism/

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Summit of Muslim Leaders in Silver Springs

Silver Spring, MD, December 16, 2015 – When there is despair, there is always that hope, thank God, the good people reached out to the apprehensive one’s to assure them that they are with them, and will stand by them.

 That is precisely what the Montgomery County Executives did, they called the Muslim leaders and Imams of the county to listen to their concerns and assure their support. It was organized by Imam Faizul Khan of Islamic Society of the Washington Area in Silver Springs, MD.  You can feel the genuineness of each one of the council members, police chief, school board members and other public servants and the county executive. That sentiment was   reciprocated with sincere expression of gratitude by the Muslims present there.

Each one of the officials spoke from their heart, they care about fellow citizens and this gathering was to advance that sense of community, and imbue the sense of belonging to each other, and they were very successful. God bless them.

There are several ways of mitigating the conflicts and nurturing goodwill. I am pleased to share mine.

First a quote from a friend, "Each and every step towards a unifying goal is the key. And a meaningful engagement between polarized mindsets is the only way to begin bridging the gaps and wide divides that separate us from peace and unified action for humanitarian and environmental health and well being."

Last night I was watching the Presidential debate at the press club, and behind me was a group watching.  When Lindsey Graham spoke eloquently about blaming the individuals and not the faith, which is my mantra, I clapped, and they booed.  One of the ladies and her husband beckoned me to join them, and told me they were conservatives and asked about me, I said I am a moderate.  I introduced myself and gave them my card that read, American Muslim Institution. They asked me about Sharia and I gave them a short talk on the topic.

What followed after that was an interesting but a familiar conversation, Deja vu!   It appears that most of the conservatives have memorized certain things about Muslims, and they reel it off.  I don’t get offended, instead I listen to them patiently and share my perspective.  I am sure you have had that experience, with patience, people will learn to respect you, and gradually see your point of view as a courtesy. Melody is a conservative Radio talk show host; and she wants to get me on her show in North Carolina.  I hope a few more will see another point of view, shame on us, we have let them carry the age old narrative forward, we need to do our part in sharing our narrative.  There is no joy greater than living without conflicts with fellow beings.

Amidst the concerns, issues and the gloom, there is hope.  We have to move from estrangement to engagement and things will change. Stuart Varney at Fox News promised not to use the phrase Muslim Terrorist three weeks ago on his show with me, and Sean Hannity is at least softer and clearer about what he is against, and that is the result of positive engagement.  Last night Lindsey Graham spoke up, and there are way too many good people than the fringe element. Look at these people from the County and School board, they gave hope, and they represent American values of acceptance, they are our models and heroes.

 I am short on time with so much going, so I will yield to the lady sitting next to me, who writes for Muslim Matters, when she files the report, I will share that with all.

This is precisely what God wants – for his creation to sit together and demystify the myths about each other and restore the equilibrium.  Quran (49:13) says the best ones among you are those who learn about each other; indeed, when we learn about each other, conflicts fade and solutions emerge.

Thanks to Sayed Naved for printing and distributing the flier of our “Season of Peace” event and thanks to Rev. Casey Kaseman for announcing it. I had the opportunity to announce it as well during my turn.  Thanks to Amjad Humayun for inviting me to the event.

My job became much easier, we have tentatively found Indonesian, Arab, and Subcontinent groups to sing Nasheeds (poetry appreciating Prophet Muhammad (pbub), and if the African American group can confirm, that would be a significant progress.  Rev. Casey Kaseman and Samia Haque will find a Mormon and a Catholic group to sing Christmas Carols, we need two more, I can find one from the Unification Church or the Unitarian Church and the search will be for an Evangelical group.  We also found Hijabi girls to sing National Anthem (This is a different report).

Please join us for the event, this is a God-given opportunity this year to further strengthen our bonds on the auspicious occasion of the birth celebrations of Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad on 25th and 24th of December respectively. God loves each one of us and showers his blessings each time we make an effort to restore the harmony and cohesiveness of his creation; life and environment.These are the signs of good tidings; offering a new hope and a new beginning for the mankind. Together Christians and Muslims make up nearly half of the world population and it is our duty to do our share of work in restoring harmony and peace on earth for each one of the Seven billion of us. We are all in this together.

Kindly share this link to register for the event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/merry-christmas-milad-mubarak-tickets-20040393356

Thank you, 

Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916
Executive Director
www.AmericanMuslimInstitution.org 
A proactive voice for American Muslims
110 Maryland Av, NE, Suite 508
Washington, DC 20002-5606 

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-PalestineTerrorism and foreign policy. Over 3000 Articles have been published on the subjects. 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