Yes to Discussions – No to disparagement.

The purpose of discussion is to learn, to exchange and to know, so we have fewer conflicts. 

 Quran emphasizes that the best one amongst you is the one who knows and learns about the other and puts myths aside and deals with facts for the purpose of living with the least amount of conflicts. Indeed, we have conflicts because we don’t know each other, and sadly if we did know, it is usually something to berate others.  We need to know the full version to deal with a full version with integrity and honesty.  Many verses from Quran point to these ideal guidelines in building cohesive societies.

The ground rule for understanding the other is to respect the otherness of others, as practiced by the Prophet and taught in Sura Kafirun. (http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/07/sura-kafirun-un-believers.html )

It’s not your fault or my fault that we have come to believe whatever we have learned to be the truth, and whatever we did not learn, appears not to be true to each one of us.

ACCIDENTAL SWAPS

What if we swap two babies on birth – Baby Ahmadi and Baby Sunni; The Sunni father will raise the Ahmadi baby and vice versa, both of them send their kids to the best religious schools possible – like Al-Azhar and Rabwa.

Twenty years down the road, when both have become masters in their tradition, we will invite them to the World Muslim Congress for discussion.

Who do you think each one will defend?

And after the discussion, they are told that Ahmadi was really a born Sunni and vice versa – do their beliefs disappear?  If they don’t, can you wrong either of the boys or girls for what they have learned?

Imagine the multiplicity of the issues if we pick on little things… between a variety of denominations and sub-denominations… like Ahle-Sunna, Jamaati, deobandi, barelvi, nadwatul...
   

A few among us will call you names for seeking help from Ghouse-al-Azam, Bulle Shah, Ajmeer walay Khaja,  Nizamuddin Aulia, Hazrat Ali  and even Prophet Muhammad!

I am a denomination-less Muslim, meaning I consider all of us are a part of one large universal, all embracing Ummah, as such I have malice towards none (Abraham Lincoln), and I thank God for that.

It is sickening to see Robert Spencer and Pamela Geller attack the Prophet with all the ugliness they are loaded with, let us not become Spencers and Gellers to other Muslims and people of other faiths.

If we address Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, let us address him respectfully.
If we address HH Aga Khan, let us address him respectfully.

If we address Syed Burhanuddin, let us address him respectfully.

If we address Warith Deen Muhammad, let us address him respectfully, and

If we address the spiritual leader of any religious group, let’s address him or her respectfully. (Except criminals like Ashin Wirathu -  the Buddhist Spiritual Master of Burma) 

Can we do that?

Yes to Discussions – No to disparagement.

Thank you.

Mike Ghouse

 A Note: Iqbal Kazmi responded beautifully, respectfully highlighting the differences between Shia, Sunni and Ahmadiyya at Dallas Pakistani’s group and I admire that.

. . . . .

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. He believes in Standing up for others and has done that throughout his life as an activist. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He 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; fortnightly at Huffington post; and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work through many links.

Happy Moments | Good progress on my health

HAPPY MOMENTS | GOOD PROGRESS

1. It's Jayden's (GrandSon) 27th day! First time he is sitting in upright position.
2. The Doctor's apt went very well. Positive and in control
3. BP 128/78 - Sugar 98 - weight 184
4. Surgery is pending, they have to fix the two damaged arteries
5. Keeping up with strict diet
6. Walking will go up up from 20 - to - 25 minutes this week
7. Thanks for your support

Thank you
Mike Ghouse

Blasphemy Charges against Christians Shafaqat Masih and Shagufta Bibi in Pakistan, Muslims Condemn these charges.

Evil exists because good people do nothing about it – all it takes for evil to subside is for the good people to speak up.

The formula is simple: The evil people (in all nations and all religions) are less than 1/10th of 1% - if 5 of them scream, all we have to do is get 10 of us from a lopsided pool of  99% to speak up,  and I have seen them run – realizing that there is no support for them.

The latest is the SMS blasphemy charges, the good news is that the Deobandi Ulema have promised the Christians to bring amendments to blasphemy charges in Pakistan, it would be good to see them keep their promise.

Blasphemy and Apostasy are tools of tyrants to suppress people; it is not Islamic in any sense.  Prophet showed the right way by example, but the Muslim monarchs, dictators and a handful of ulema (it is shame that we call them Ulema instead of Jahil) like all damned fascists erected the apostasy and blasphemy charges to oppress.

Besides, these fanatics are dumb people, if they really want to convert other people, pray for them, like the Prophet, instead of pushing them. Don't kick the beehive if you want to gather honey.  

The Muslims of today – I mean the 99% of Muslims are civilized and cultured,  and we should not let 1/10th of 1% of Jahils (brutes) dictate the nature of Islam.

As a Muslim I condemn these shameful and ugly acts against Christians, and as Muslims, it is our duty to stand up for the oppressed. 

Please remember, Islam is not going anywhere; prophet is not going anywhere, and by opening ourselves up to criticism, we will learn a lot more about our faith than we would ever know. We need to move away from intolerance to acceptance of a different point of view without having to agree with it. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) lived through it and Muslims can learn from his examples.

Criticism can fade away or rain on us depending on how Muslims respond to it.  Lack of conviction in one's faith breeds intolerance towards criticism, whereas firmness in faith can lead us to learn from criticism, explore the infinite wisdom and realize the strength of our faith (Imaan); a worthy feeling to have, instead of living in doubt and shooing criticism away.

Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net 

www.WorldMuslimCongress

and WorldMuslimCongress@yahoogroups.com

BLASPHEMY CHARGES

ASIA/PAKISTAN - "Technological Blasphemy": Christian couple arrested for insulting Muhammad via SMS

Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) - A new "front" of blasphemy seems to be opening in Pakistan after the life sentence of a man accused of having sent a blasphemous SMS (see Fides 15/07/2013), cases and complaints of blasphemy via SMS increase. As reported to Fides, another blasphemy case was registered against a Christian couple in the town of Gojra, in Punjab. Shafaqat Masih, 35, and his wife Shagufta Bibi were arrested by the local police because accused by the Muslim Rana Mohammad Fiaz for having sent a blasphemous SMS on the Prophet Muhammad. The police traced the SIM card and arrested the couple.

A court of first instance validated the arrest, placing further investigation. Shafaqat Masih is disabled and his wife is a waitress in a local school. Their two teenage children are now being taken care of by the NGO "World Vision in Progress", which also aims to provide legal assistance. Gojra is a place which is "religiously sensitive" since 2009, when, due to a case of alleg ed desecration of the Koran, the Christian area of the city was set on fire, causing 8 deaths, destroying 40 homes and a church.

Currently the debate on blasphemy through new technologies, mobile phones, computer resources is alive in Pakistan. The Telecommunications Authority and the government are discussing technical solutions to the problem of the presence of blasphemous material on the Internet, on YouTube, on social networks. Many are calling for a law to limit and censor blasphemous Internet sites.

Another issue is the abuse of the law of blasphemy, sometimes used instrumentally to hit opponents. As reported to Fides, recently a delegation of 15 ulema in Karachi, of the Islamic school of thought "Deobandi," assured its support to the Christian community to propose an amendment to the blasphemy law: the goal is to stop their misuse against members of religious minorities.

Among the cases reported by Fides is that of a Christian 15-year-old from Karachi, Ryan Brian Patras, accused of having sent blasphemous SMS to some peers (see Fides 12/10/2012) and the victim of a plot. The boy and his family escaped by miracle from the murderous rage of a few extremists. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/07/2013)

Interfaith Marriages - Religious Double Standards Leave Many Muslims Single

Indeed, there are more single Muslim women in the United States than single men.

As a pluralist and an interfaith specialist who has conducted many interfaith marriages between people of different faiths, I continue to learn, understand and know the issues, and the more I learn, the more openings pop up, learning is an endless commitment.

Nearly half of Muslim single women are over 40 and divorced, and they rightfully don’t want to marry another guy without knowing him – but how?

Every man she talks with feels he is entitled to her, shame on men and their culture for their stinky attitude. No one is entitled to any, and the Muslims women I have talked to resent it and hate talking to another Muslim (same with Hindus) Man.

I looked up several matrimonial ads, and an overwhelming majority of women (over 50) have checked no religious preference in the box provided, and even go on to say that they are not religious. Many have marked spirituality instead of Islam or Hinduism. Many women have remained single for a very long time. Why should they?

What are your choices?

Continued at - http://interfaithmarriages.blogspot.com/2013/07/interfaith-marriages-religious-double.html

Mike Ghouse is an interfaith marriage minister and a speaker on Islam, pluralism, interfaith, multicultural and future societies. www.MikeGhouse.net

Texas Faith: Should evangelicals push for immigration reform?

Texas Faith: Should evangelicals push for immigration reform?

The time for immigration reform is now and most Americans support it. In a Gallup Poll released in June this year, 87% of Americans support reform, so now it is the responsibility of our elected representatives to pass it into law. Would they dare lose in the mid-term elections by opposing the will of the people? No. This is their last hope to remain elected.

Texas Faith: How hard should evangelicals push for immigration reform?
By Bill McKenzie / Editorial Columnistwmckenzie@dallasnews.com
10:55 am on July 23, 2013 | Permalink
 

Leaders of the Evangelical Immigration Table will meet on Capitol Hill Wednesday to continue praying for and advocating for a broad immigration reform. In other words, they want a package that goes beyond simply securing the border.

This group has a long list of supporters. They represent evangelicals from both conservative and liberal traditions. And they have a set of principles that guide their work. You can read all of this at this link:

This group also gathers regularly and continues to press for reform. Their outreach includes meeting with legislators, reaching out to media and generally lifting up Capitol Hill in prayer. They also are attracting press because evangelicals were not as outspoken for change back in 2007, when the last immigration debate took place. Here is an article from The Atlantic that details their work.

But this debate is about to get into some brutal politicking. The GOP-led House is clearly not interested in going as far as the Democratic-led Senate in crafting a comprehensive plan. For example, most House Republicans do not appear very eager to grant illegal immigrants a chance to earn citizenship or some kind of legal status.

Yet evangelicals could be the trump card. The Atlantic piece described the role of evangelicals this way, quoting Ali Noorani of the pro-reform National Immigration Forum: “Pro-reform groups view these efforts as essential. ‘I don’t think a House vote happens without evangelicals,’ Noorani said. ‘The only reason it happens is because evangelicals are engaged.’”

So, my question is this: How hard should evangelicals — or any other religious groups in favor of immigration reform — push for change?

This debate is not likely to move ahead in the House without a great deal of arm-twisting. But is that the role for people of faith?

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas, and speaker on interfaith issues

The time for immigration reform is now and most Americans support it. In a Gallup Poll released in June this year, 87% of Americans support reform, so now it is the responsibility of our elected representatives to pass it into law. Would they dare lose in the mid-term elections by opposing the will of the people? No. This is their last hope to remain elected.

I am glad evangelicals are more practical now than ever before. A series of losses in electing their candidates has taught them a lesson in compromise, and I welcome their new avatar. They will be at best a catalyst in garnering support from other religious groups. But they will not be the springboard to reform, although attention is shining on them.

Evangelical influence is over-rated. In January 2012, a group of them met in Houston to prop up their presidential candidate, who did not go anywhere. They also thought Obama was done with when he supported same sex marriage. They even supported a presidential candidate who called for self-deportation, but failed again.

Indeed, evangelicals once were opposed to immigration reforms, writes Jenny Yang in Washington post, “In 2006, evangelicals were polled to be the most anti-immigrant among other religious groups surveyed.”

What brings change? Many things.

Among them is the Dream Act, which tilted the Hispanic vote towards Democrats. Their vote was a key determinant in winning the 2012 race. Predictions were made that Romney needed 51% of the Hispanic vote to have a chance to win. He only got 27% and did not make it. Even the Asian community, which is driven by immigration, gave a whopping 73% of their votes to Obama.

Church demographics are changing as well. While membership among the traditional evangelicals is declining, Hispanic membership is increasing. That signals evangelicals need to be a part of the change and not get sidelined.

The immigration issue is certainly breaking the monopoly of any particular group on public policy. Indeed, no single group will determine the outcome of immigration reform.

While appreciating evangelicals for their change of heart, as people of faith, we need to come together and beef up our support for the religious, civic and political organizations committed to reform. After all we are a nation of immigrants.

To read all other opinions at Dallas Morning News - http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2013/07/texas-faith-how-hard-should-evangelicals-push-for-immigration-reform.html/

My Speech, " We need immigration reform now"  at the Immigration rally in Down Town Dallas, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrjU0KULv-Y
. . . . .

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. He believes in Standing up for others and has done that throughout his life as an activist. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He 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; fortnightly at Huffington post; and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work through many links.

A Tribute to Dr. Muhammad Khalid

A TRIBUTE TO DR. MUHAMMAD KHALID

Inna Lillahi O Inna Ilaihi Ur raje-oon – from God we come and to God we go.

Dr. Khalid was battling with cancer for a while, and today, he passed away.

His funeral prayers will be held at Richardson Mosque, 840 Abrams Road, Richardson, TX 75080 after the Noon prayers around 1:45 PM – it’s at intersection of Spring Valley and Abrams Road. Thanks to Brother Muhammad Suleman for sharing this information.

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Dr. Khalid has been a significant part of the community, and I have known him for nearly twenty years. I have a lot of great memories to share and hope to share them in the coming few weeks.

The First Dallas’s Desi paper was Asian News, and he attended the inauguration event and spoke, we have had a major Cricket Tournament in 1996, and Khalid was there. We opened the Radio – Asian News Radio, the forerunner to the Radio business in Dallas in 1996, and he was there in the discussions. He spoke at the first Holocaust and Genocides commemoration in Dallas by Muslims. Then he was a part of several Desi Thanksgiving Celebrations, and he was a part of it, indeed, he would hang out till the end and dance to the music with his Cowboy boots.

Indeed, he was instrumental in drafting the constitution of the Pakistan Society and the meetings were held at my Hillcrest office for a year.

Together we organized the first Unity Day USA event to commemorate the 9/11, and he has been a part of the event every year except in the last few years.

This man has done a lot of good work and may Allah present him with the best place under his grace. Alhamdu Lillah.

URL - http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-tribute-to-dr-muhammad-khalid.html

You are welcome to share your comments at:
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-tribute-to-dr-muhammad-khalid.html#comment-form

Mike Ghouse

Texas Faith: Do the political comebacks of scandal-marred politicians mean we’re forgiving or indifferent?

SHOULD MORALITY BE A FACTOR IN QUALIFYING A POLITICAL CANDIDATE?

Indeed we have become more tolerant and indifferent towards the morality of the elected officials; it appears that is not the issue with Weiner, Spitzer, and a host of others. As a nation we have to define what we want in our elected officials, sadly, fidelity in marriage will not be the one. The real question is do we want morality as a factor in qualifying the political candidate?  We are not looking for exemplary all round candidates any more? Are we looking for someone who can get the job done.  Mike Ghouse

 Continued: http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/07/texas-faith-do-political-comebacks-of.html

Texas Faith: Do the political comebacks of scandal-marred politicians mean we’re forgiving or indifferent?

Dallas Morning News | Published on July 16, 2013, 2013
By Wayne Slater 

Whatever happened to shame? It wasn’t that long ago that a politician tainted by a sex scandal or caught cheating on a spouse was finished in public life. But a couple of political comebacks this year illustrate how things have changed. Two years after he resigned from Congress for sending a sexually suggestive picture of himself to a follower on Twitter, Anthony Weiner is in contention for mayor of New York City. Eliot Spitzer abandoned the state’s governor’s race in 2008 in disgrace following reports he frequented high-end prostitutes. He could be the city’s next controller.

And they’re not alone. Mark Sanford was elected to Congress in South Carolina after admitting an affair in 2009. David Vitter overcame scandal when his name showed up on the customer list of the “D.C. Madam” in 1999, winning reelection to the Senate and is at the top of the GOP list to be the next governor of Louisiana. And Bill Clinton, despite the White House intern scandal, is more popular than ever.

What’s happened? What does it say about the culture that behavior once considered inappropriate or indecent, doesn’t pack the same punch it once did. Are we more understanding, more willing to forgive? Or have we just become indifferent? In politics and religion, no narrative is more powerful than the backslider redeemed. But there’s another tradition in politics: we hold the leaders we elect to office to certain standards and believe that failure to meet those standards has consequences.

Here’s this week’s question: What do recent political comebacks by scandal-tarred politicians say about our culture? Have we become more tolerant and forgiving or grown more callous and indifferent?

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, speaker and writer on pluralism and interfaith cooperation

 A quarter century ago, the Presidential candidate Gary Hart lost the Democratic Party’s nomination to Michael Dukakis for his extramarital affair, who in turn lost to George Bush in the General Elections. The nation debated about rejecting a good candidate over sexual morality, the sentence I recall from that era was, “Are we electing a saint?” It particularly became relevant when George Bush broke the promise, “Read my lips, no new taxes.”

There were random discussions on John 8:7, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone,” and Matthew 7:1, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” I have always wondered the impact of these conversations in assessing the moral caliber of the elected officials. Indeed, the shift was significant.

It seemed all the good candidates were blemished, and in desperation we were willing to overlook the morality for the right candidate. Bill Clinton established a new benchmark in that direction. In the recent primaries we blatantly ignored Newt Gingrich, a double cheater on his two helpless wives. It was a human failure and nothing to do with being a Republican or a Democrat; neither could cast the first stone.

The society has changed to a great extent as well; we treasured and looked up to long term marriages with awe, and that is not the case anymore. Many among us have affairs, and we have chosen not to judge others, as it became insensitive to someone or the other close to us. President Jimmy Carter with the cleanest record on morality failed us on the economic front, and George Bush with good morals ultimately lied to the nation about wars, and in the last election, the GOP gave a ticket to the one who hid his money overseas and was secretive about his tax returns.

Indeed we have become more tolerant and indifferent towards the morality of the elected officials; it appears that is not the issue with Weiner, Spitzer, and a host of others. We are not looking for exemplary candidates any more, but someone who can get the job done. As a nation we have to define what we want in our elected officials, sadly, fidelity in marriage will not be the one. The real question is whose morality? Do we want morality as a factor in qualifying the candidate?

To read all the contributions, please go to Dallas Morning News at: http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2013/07/texas-faith-do-political-comebacks-by-scandal-marred-politicians-mean-were-forgiving-or-indifferent.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. He believes in Standing up for others and has done that throughout his life as an activist. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show and Bill O'Reilly show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington post; and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work through many links. 

Ghouse about Pamela Geller on Chicago Radio 1450

GHOUSE ON CHICAGO RADIO ISLAM WCEV 1450 AM

July 15, 2013. 6-7 pm (CT). I'll be speaking for free speech, particularly the British ban on Islamophobe Pamela Geller. The Quran says don't let your bias make you unjust towards the person, and the prophet says, the only way to combat evil is to do good.

Even though Pamela Geller has an active campaign going against me, I'll stand up for her right to free speech, indeed, I took the same stand two weeks ago on Hannity show at Fox News with her. 

We will never go wrong standing up for free speech. Free speech has just one rule - free speech for all. If you introduce exceptons like who is allowed and who is not, then you are subjecting it to human flaws and the discretion causing chaos and injustice.
She can spew whatever hate she wants; Muslims have the option to counter it by holding a similar rally right after her speech. Hold placards asking people to respectfully hear another point of view. Have a debate with her with a good moderator, who sets the rules of engagement, one item and one issue at time - and not allow any one to jump from branch to branch like monkeys. I will be happy to do that fairly and evenly without being unjust to her or her opponent; being Just is a bigger value in Islam than bulldozing others when you have the reins in your hands.

Instead of protests and denying her the opportunity, engage her in a dialogue; do the public a service by presenting your point of view. Nothing beats free speech. 

Muslims are not a part of the society, we need to be involved deeply, it is our country, and we need to be a part of every aspect of the society for people to stand up for us out of friendship rather than a short-term sense of justice. 

All we need to do is to start becoming Muslims and start over again - with the first foundational Sunnah practice of the prophet; to be the Amin - to be truthful, just and earn the respect from Christians, Jews, Hindus, Pagans, Wicca, Native Americans, Sikh, Shinto... how many of us can list a few friends from each category? If not, why not?  Why should anyone stand up for us, if we are not willing to do the same for others?  Fellow Americans and fellow humans should feel safe with us and not scared.
I will submit a proposal, the burden will fall on Imams to shoo away Muslims from Mosques and get them out to be the Amin’s first, instead of pulling them to mosques.  First thing first. Then you see the least resistant to build a mosque in Murfreesboro, Ground Zero or any place. We will even be welcomed to be part of the July 4th parade or veterans day or New Years parade. When I visited the opening of MLK Statute in Washington DC - where were Muslims? In Dallas, where were Muslims on the opening of the Hunt bridge - 40,000 people attended the event, and I was scanning for Muslims - just two made it including me, what a shame! 

Full interview on MP3 will be posted. http://myaccount.dropsend.com/file/923cd0511ba02ef6
Username: speakermikeghouse@gmail.com
Password: WkrewdHx

Mike Ghouse

Thank God I am alive today, a new commitment to a new life

THANK GOD, I AM ALIVE TODAY - ITS NEW LEASE ON MY LIFE 

On Tuesday morning, the Farmers Branch paramedics team responded to my 911 call, and within 30 minutes they had me on the ER table, and the good doctors unclogged the artery and placed a stent to keep the blood flowing. Doctor Siddiqi said another 30 minutes would have been too late, and I would have gone!

It was the severe chest pain coupled with sweating that got me alarmed. I didn't want to call any one that early, but texted my friend Adil,  he was driving out of town and thanks to him for suggesting to call 911, and after debating within, I reluctantly made the call,  it was the right thing to do. If you or your loved ones were in a similar situation, please don't hesitate to call 911. 

Father Daughter

God willing, I will be active in a few days, meanwhile I ask you to strengthen your existing relationships with your loved ones. Don't know who is going to go when. Let’s be good to fellow beings and live a regret free life, at least from here forwards. I request you to forgive my shortcomings and excesses.

Thank you for your friendship.

PERSONAL SIDE

Continued: http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/07/thank-god-i-am-alive-today-new.html

Thanks to Yasmeen for her persistent push for me to lose weight, indeed, I owe her a big thank you for getting me down from 215# to 190#, at one time I had gone down to 179#, today I'm 189. She has set a goal of 175# for me, and I will listen to her dutifully now, and enjoy the dieted delicious foods she will be fixing for me.

One of the best things that has happened to me is the time I am getting to spend with my grown up daughter, son, daughter in law and my 15 day old grand baby Jayden. Mina, my daughter is with me for the last four days, and will be with me for another week. I did not realize she is so caring, loving and responsible to keep me on tract from medicine to food to driving me around. I am looking forward to two weeks of heaven with my kids; this is one of the biggest joys of my life. Then I will be heading to Yasmeen and spend another week or two with her before I get back to normal working, speaking and writing. 

Thanks to Dr. Amer Shakil for treating me some five years ago, and then Dr. Asifa Ijaz. I wish I had listened to them, and continued with the medication they had prescribed. If you are like me, don't act like me, please listen to your doctor.  

On Tuesday morning on July 9, cold sweat flipped me upside down.  I got up earlier than I had planned on getting up for my first suhoor (early meal to commence fasting) of Ramadan due to massive chest pain, it was early in the morning and did not want to call anyone, and I thought it would go away from aspirin... It did not. So, I reluctantly called 911.

While waiting for the ambulance, an old scene returned to my mind, way back in mid sixties, I had fallen from a tree and had recited a few verses from Qur’an (Ayatul Kursi, Fatiha, and Ikhlas) thrice in less than thirty seconds while I was unconscious (my friends told me that).  Even though I consider myself a rationalist, I still cannot figure out how I was able to recite all that in such a short period of time. Once again, on Tuesday morning, I repeated that recitation while waiting for the paramedics. 

At 11:13 PM on Monday night, I "started" the 1st day of Ramadan note and posted at www.ramadandaily.com, this would have been the 4th year of writing about Ramadan, everything you wanted to know about Ramadan.  Thank God, I have been able to visit every mosque of every denomination during Ramadan with a determined purpose of learning and sharing the uniqueness of each tradition with the other without prejudice. The more we know about the other, the lesser biased we would be, and subsequently free ourselves from the evil of prejudice. 

I urge every religious person of every faith, particularly the ones who are biased towards others, or the ones hung up with others to make an effort to enjoy true freedom and liberation from hate and ill will by learning about the other, until you find good positive information. 

My first Iftaar (breaking of fast) was going to be with Dr. Imam Yusuf Zia Kavakci at the Richardson Mosque. Dr Kavakci is a man I greatly respect and have consistently mentioned and written about him for the great qualities of a Muslim he is blessed with. The last time we met was about two weeks ago at Zahra Khan's funeral (my friend Adil's 19 year old angel, who is considered Shaheed, God's favorite person as she died with cancer) a week ago, Dr. Kavakci gave me a special hug, a very affectionate one like my father, and said a lot of nice things in public prior to the prayer, it meant a lot to me.  

This is my first RAMADAN in four years; I won't be able to do anything. However,  if you have an interest in learning about the spirituality, traditions and politics of Ramadan, please visit www.RamadanDaily.com. Even though I won't be fasting and visiting mosques this season, I'll still continue to write about different aspects of Ramadan. 

Thru the grace of God, I am alive today with a renewed mission to follow the teachings of my mentors; Prophet Muhammad, Jesus, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. 

I am committed to do the following to the best of my ability;

1. To be the Amin - the truthful, trustworthy and an instrument of safeness to fellow Americans. 

2. To be a conflict mitigater and a goodwill nurturer 

3. To be “just" in every aspect of life 

4. To live with an open heart and an open mind towards fellow beings, 

5. To Stand up for others.

6. To work on fixing the ill practices of individuals within my religion; Islam

7. To work on fixing the ill practices of individuals within my Party; GOP

May Allah guide me to remain on the path and I appreciate your support in moving forward. Thank God, I have no religious, political or national walls between me and another individual, and it's good to be free.

The Spiritual freedom is indeed the greatest achievement in one’s life and it sticks to you. Those of us, who can free ourselves from ill-will, malice, hate, tension, pain, anxiety, apprehension, hostility, stress, strain and conflicts, are showered with blessings of peace and joy.  It is good to be free. 

Blessed are the peacemakers.

Mike Ghouse

www.mikeghouse.net 

Mike

(214) 325-1916

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Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work and social settings. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a strong presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show and the O'Reilly Factor on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you want to know about him.