Aga Khan and Malala; Muslim Role Models

URL - http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/12/aga-khan-and-malala-muslim-role-models.html

Every child, teen and an adult has someone or the other to look up to in his or her life, and wants to-be-like that person and eventually becomes one.  Indeed, good role models are a key to the success of a civil society.

I have been studying religious pluralism and civil societies for the last twenty years, and have found a sense of regret among Muslims for the dearth of role models. Invariably they compare themselves with the Jewish community more often than they care to admit.  At least twice a year, an email makes the rounds showing the innumerable Nobel laureates among the tiny Jewish community versus the negligible numbers among the big Muslim community. It almost appears that they cannot move forward without some one leading them.

Don't despair, there is hope, we have a few good men and women who are great role models.

In the last 100 years we have had legends like Syed Ahmed Khan, Allama Iqbal, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and others who have created institutions of learning or left a legacy of critical thinking.  They were not only heroes for Muslims, but for others as well.

These individuals followed the foundational Sunnah of the prophet to be Amins, the truthful, trustworthy, Just and without barriers between them and people of other faiths and traditions. They contributed towards the common good of humanity. Indeed, Prophet Muhammad was called Amin by fellow Citizens who were Jewish, Christian and Pagans. That should be our model; to be contributors and be the Amins of the society.

In the last 50 years, we have had a few great men and women, but we did not accord them the place they deserved.  It’s time for us to recognize them for their contributions and their legacy in building better societies for humanity.

There are plenty of men and women in religion, business, arts, sports, music, entertainment and academic fields, but very few in civil societies. 

The following men and women have created enduring values to last for generations to come, it is their legacy. I am embarrassed that I could not come up with more names from around 56 Muslims nations, but I welcome them all.

1. Abdurrahman Wahid  (planted the vision of Madinah like society),  
2. Javed Ahmad Ghamidi (Critical thinking in Islam),
3. Malala Yousafzai (Role model for women),
4. Aga Khan (Role Model for Universal human development) ,  
5. Benazir Bhutto (a symbol of Democracy), 
6. Muhammad Yunus (an economic model of uplifting the down trodden)
7. Aamir Khan (Cultural Pluralism and his Satyameva Jayate Series), 
8. Abdus Salam (Physicist and Nobel Laureate),
9. Abdus Sattar Edhi (Charity),
10. Al-Waleed bin Talal (Research in Education)
11. Abusaleh Shariff (Solutions for up-liftment of minorities )

Abusaleh Shariff is relatively less known than the others, but his pioneering research work about Indian Muslims has become the foundation for economic, educational, social and statistical models for planning societies, and finding pluralistic solutions for the majoritarian-minoritarian conflict mitigation in a given society.

Gamal Abdel Nasser could have been one of the heroes, had he succeeded in creating a value for Arab Unification, he could not make it.  Mahathir Muhammad could have been an economic hero, but his work was time-bound and not timeless, and he did not leave anything impactful other than the rhetoric. What did Yasser Arafat leave behind?  I am not sure about the legacy of Muhammad Ali Jinnah- is anyone following his vision other than hanging his pictures on event walls?  General Pervaz Musharraf had all the potential to re-establish Jinnah's vision, a secular pluralistic Islamic model nation – but he blew it. 


Even though Kings Abdullah of Jordan and Saudi Arabia, Muhammad Ali, Dilip Kumar or Shahrukh Khan are big names, they have not contributed to the common good of humanity, once they are gone, they are gone. Would they be legends in Muslim history? Are they Amins of the society at large? We need to discuss.


I am glad at least Malala and Aga Khan have been recognized worldwide, and their work is not restricted to just one community, but most people around the globe will look up to them for what they represent. 

It is our duty to honor and cherish individuals who have dedicated their lives in building bridges between communities. Their pioneering spirit in facilitating communities to know and to respect each other must be appreciated.

I urge fellow Muslims to work on writing about these men and women, and how their work can last for centuries to come. Can we include them in our school text books, Islamic social education at Mosques and private schools? They are our role models, aren't they?   

To be a Muslim is to be a peacemaker, one who mitigates conflicts and nurtures goodwill for peaceful co-existence of humanity. God wants us to live in peace and harmony with his creation; life and matter.# # #

Remarks by His Highness the Aga Khan at the Presentation of the Gold Medal by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, Ottawa
URL

1. http://www.countercurrents.org/ghouse061213.htm
2. http://www.newageislam.com/islamic-society/muslim-heroes-and-role-models/d/34729
3. http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/12/hh-aga-khans-speech-at-royal.html

Mike Ghouse is a Muslim speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, Islam, interfaith and other topics. He is committed to nurturing pluralistic values embedded in Islam and building cohesive Societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day, all his writings are at www.TheGhouseDiary.com   

Hyderabad Bomb Blasts: What's Next?

As a Muslim, I am tempted to blame bad guys among Muslims, but what good will it do to India? Deepen hatred for the Muslims? If I blame Hindus, what good will it do to India? Will it bring harmony or tear up our nation further apart?

Whether Malala was a Hindu, Christian or a Muslim, or if Amanat was Dalit, Brahman or Sikh, our outrage would have been the same, would it not? I request that the thrill seekers who want to make this a Hindu and Muslim issue to consider the following suggestions carefully.

Continued - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/hyderabad-bomb-blasts-whats-next_b_2784491.html

...
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com  

Standing up for Malala in Dallas, Texas

Standing up for Malala Yousufzai in Dallas, Texas

url- http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/10/standing-up-for-malala-in-dallas-texas.html

Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains  and others from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and other Diaspora came together to stand up in solidarity with Malala at FunAsia Center tonight at 8:00 PM.

The event was organized by John Hammond, Sharriq Hamid and Shabnam Modgil of Fun Asia Center, a model center in Dallas that brings Desi communities together. This is a good business idea that is worth emulating across the United States and the world. Details are at www.Funasia.net

The man who came after every one was gone with his own candles,
Dr. Arif Jamal and  Mike Ghouse were the other two left on the ground

 Shabnam Modgil opened the event followed by an array of speakers including, Sharriq Hamid, Tina Sharma, Dr. Mona Shah, Ghulam Jangda, Nadeem Zaman, Dr. Ayyub, Anjum Anwar, myself and John Hammond.

The following is an outline of my talk:

Malala has become a catalyst for a change that Pakistan was looking for decades; her suffering will bring a new beginning, new sawera (morning) and a new azm (determination) to Pakistan. It was heartwarming to note that 50 Key Muslim Scholars issued a statement condemning the extremism displayed by a looney; the support for Malala is increasing by the day. The candle light vigil is not only observed in Pakistan, but throughout the world, including India, Canada and the United States.

To honor this unity of people from different faiths and nationalities, let me share the religious greetings from different faiths, as we are gathered here tonight, all greetings are designed to acknowledge the stranger with a desire to connect and a possible friendship. Whether it is Namaste, Salam, Shalom, and Satsriakal or peace, it is has the same ingredient in it. You are welcome to recite quietly, in chorus or don’t have to participate.

Every human is built to feel good with unity, and tonight, we are witnessing it again, people put all the barriers down and have joined in for Malala. Thanks to every one of you who repeated the following greetings in chorus;

Baha’i - Allah'u'Abha
Buddhism - Buddha Namo

Christian - Peace to you

Hindu - Namaste

Jain - Jai Jinendra

Jewish- Shalom
Muslim - Salaam
Native American - blessings of mother earth
Sikh- Satsriakal

Wicca - To goodness we bow

Zoroastrian - Hamazor Hama Ashobed.

Pakistan has endured extremism, and it reached its peak when a teenage girl was threatened not to seek education, and was shot and she is hurt. Prophet Muhammad had said to go the far ends of the earth to learn.  My friends, this catalytic event is for changing the course of history in Pakistan.

God has promised in Quraan that when things get worse, he will send a prophet, messenger, a peacemaker or an event to restore the goodness. Krishna in Bhagvad Gita promises that whenever adharma (un-righteousness) takes over the society, he will appear and restore the dharma (righteousness). This is that moment to restore trust and safety for every Pakistani, and hope it can be built where no Pakistani has to live in fear of the other. 

The solution does not lie in matching their extremism with our in-tolerance towards them, there is no end to that, what we need to find is a way to have a dialogue with them, they are obviously misguided from some source, we need to go that source with them and remove it from the root, and with their consensus, and not through oppression. It can be done.

Let’s keep building this momentum, the world is with Malala, I am the very best for Pakistan and her people.

Two days ago, another event was organized and it is summarized at Malala, we stand with you and your commitment to education http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/10/malala-we-stand-with-you-and-your.html

  

 Mike Ghouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest onSean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly atHuffington post, Smirking Chimp and several other periodicals across the world. The blogwww.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily and MikeGhouse.net indexes all his activities.

Malala, we stand with you and your commitment to education.

Malala, we stand with you and your commitment to education.
URL:: http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/10/malala-we-stand-with-you-and-your.html

Children, women and men joined in this evening in support of Malala, to stand up for what Malala stood; education. It was the right thing to do.

CLICK PICTURE TO GET LARGER VERSION

More pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157631756527127/show/

The event was organized by Jawed Siddiqi at Subzi Mandi place,  the purpose was to stand in support of Malala Yousafzai and send a message to Pakistan that extremism is condemned across the world. 

The program appropriately commenced with the famous poem of Dr. Iqbal - A child’s prayer, one of the most beautiful poems I grew up with. It was sung by Sister Zohra Chisti, and all of us joined the chorus.

Lab pe aati hai dua ban kay tamana meri
Zindagi sham’a key surat ho Khudaya meri.

My wishes become my supplication,
Let my life  be the light  to the world, dear God.

Dur dunya ka maray dam say andheera ho jaye!
Har jagah meray chamaknay say ujala ho jaye!

May the world’s darkness disappear through the life of mine!May every place light up with the sparkling light of mine!

Ho maray dam say younhi meray watan key zeenat
Jis tarah phool say hoti hai chaman ki zenat.

May my homeland through me attain elegance
As the garden through flowers attains elegance.

Full poem at (randomly picked video):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBzXqfwqgjo

I am a volunteer, and I don’t remember the names of every one that spoke, if I missed your name, please add it in the comment section below.

Thanks to Krishna and Manohar of Desi Plaza TV for capturing this event on their video, and it will be uploaded at http://www.desiplaza.us/ you can check them out at http://www.facebook.com/desiplaza.us . in a day or two.

Roha, Esha, Shahina and Maha were among the teenage girls who spoke, they had a message to Malala to get well and continue with her commitment to education.  Dr. Tasnim Agha spoke eloquently about the need for education and our support.

Sajjad Azhar’s message was perfect and precise, indeed an inclusive message, and he concluded with good parting remarks as well.  Brother Muhammad Suleman led a short prayer and blessings. There were two other speakers who extolled the value of goodness taught by the prophet, one of them emphasized the first word of Quraan- to read and understand. Naeem Sakhia capped the event very well, Malala brings a transition in the society, extremism will end and a new culture of education and acceptance will begin.

Jawed Siddiqi offered help to further her education.  

I shared my thoughts as well

Evil exists because good people do nothing about it. If you let a bully get by, he thinks he has your permission. How dare can one get?

The extremist was intolerant and did not believe education for women,  and shot at the girl because she dared to go to school.  A woman should never be deprived of education, it should be a crime if any one discourages, makes it difficult and prevents girls from getting an education. 

Had that guy's mother been educated, he would not have behaved this way, It is the female under-education that has brought backwardness to people in the subcontinent in general and Pakistan in particular The only one who can uplift a child is mother, and the mother can change the nations if she has the wherewithal of education.

I was at a book launch today, and the conversation rolled on to Malala, and it was a delight to see one of them speak up - he said, the entire nation of Pakistan is condemning the extremist. The positive word gets around. This is the reason more and more people need to spread the good word, so the world knows that Muslims are the first ones to condemn terrorism. 

We need to condemn the acts of the extremism, rather than condemn the extremists, as Jesus had said. We need to pray for their well being following in the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). We need to dialogue with them and weed out the root cause, rather than becoming confrontational and have them dig in their heels.  Mother Teresa’s wisdom cannot be lost, if you want to make peace, go talk with the enemies.

This event sends a message to the extremists that the world is not with them, the more events like this happen, the greater the momentum it builds.

Don’t forget to attend another event organized by John Hammond of FunAsia on Sunday at 8:00 PM FunAsia’s address is 1210 E. Belt line Rd. Richardson, TX 75081.  

 MikeGhouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily. 

Zardari, get the attackers of Malala or get the hell out of governance.

Zardari, get the attackers of Malala or get the hell out of governance.

http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/10/zardari-get-attackers-of-malala-or-get.html

Ehsanullah Ehsan, the gangster chief of Taliban claims responsibility for attack on Malala Yousafzai, a teenage girl who wanted to go to school.  He shamelessly claims, "We carried out this attack," and adds, “"Anybody who speaks against us will be attacked in the same way."  

I hope enough Pakistanis get outraged to bring about a change. If you let a bully get by, he thinks he has the permission to do more. How dare can one get? Government of Pakistan is to be blamed for not protecting her citizens.

What is Zardari doing about it?

Zardari needs to protect every Citizen of Pakistan. He can unleash the entire army and get those rascals, every one of them.  Don’t kill them that would be barbaric, but get them and put them to work.

Give them the Quraan and ask them to study it, until they get it right, keep pounding them, but reward them if they get it right. Keep the process until they get the religion and hopefully come out as better humans. A Judge in Yemen did that successfully.

What can you do about it? 
The least you can do is to write your comments, and join every where you can to lend support to the non-violent peace protests, that will tell the bad guys that the world is not with them.

Had those guys mothers been educated, they would not have behaved this way, It is the female under-education that has brought backwardness to people in the subcontinent in general and Pakistan in particular the only one who can uplift a child is mother, and the mother can change the nations if she has the wherewithal. A woman should never be deprived of education, it should be a crime if any one discourages, makes it difficult and prevents girls from getting an education.

They say evil exists because good people do nothing about it. The least you can do, is write your comments at the Pakistani Newspapers, and inundate the papers to build a momentum and a movement. The bad guys need to know that they are losing support.  Where ever you get a chance, write a short note, copy and paste it every where. You can do it.
Please remember to stand up for everyone that would be the right thing to do.

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on the topics of Pluralism, Coexistence, politics, interfaith, Islam, Israel, India and foreign policy.  He is committed to building cohesive societies, and offers pluralistic solutions on on issues of the day. www.TheGhousediary.com chronicles his daily work, and www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all of his work and sites.