Arvind Kejriwal; redefining Government of the people for the people by the people.

ARIVIND KEJRIWAL REDEFINING ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S VISION OF GOVERNMENT
URL- http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/12/arvind-kejriwal-redefining-government.html

Arvind Kejriwal is redefining what Abraham Lincoln meant: Government of the people for the people by the people. There are a very few people out there who care less to be heads of the state, but doing the right thing. 
He has a bold message for Indian National Congress; inclusiveness without pragati will not cut it, and the message to the other extremity Narendra Modi, unnati without inclusiveness is not sustainable either.  

 

The voters of the state of New Delhi have defeated the incumbent Congress party giving them 8 seats in the assembly, gave 33 seats to the Bharatiya Janata Party, 2 short of forming the government and 28 seats to the brand new, less than a year new party. The party head Arvind Kejriwal was asked to form the government with the support from Congress's 8, giving it 36 seats majority in the house.

Kejriwal has refused to form the government, and said, becoming the governing party is not important but ensuring proper governance is the right thing. Instead of grabbing the power, he has done the right thing, asking the voters to decide if he should form the government! He reminds me of Nelson Mandela who walked away from power for another term.Arvind Kejriwal – redefining Government of the people for the people by the people.

He has a bold message for Indian National Congress; inclusiveness without pragati will not cut it, and the message to the other extremity Narendra Modi, unnati without inclusiveness is not sustainable either.   

When there is a lack of leadership, or leaders have no idea how to proceed, Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the new Aam Aadmi Party has found the way, and he is just doing the right thing, asking the very people who elected him!  Indeed, Mr. Kejriwal is redefining what Government of the people means.

The only worry, I have about the Aam Aadmi Party is – how will they ensure the corrupt people from creeping in to their system?  As long as they are a Delhi based manageable party, they would be fine, but if they go national, do they have the time to place safeguards and checks and balances in place?

It does worry me, in a press conference in December 2001, General Pervaz Musharraf gave me 6-7 minutes in the midst of huge media crowd in Washington DC. My major question to him besides Cricket Diplomacy was – have you got a “what if plan”, should you not be there, do you have institutions built up to carry the democracy forward? His answer was typical Desi – Oh, yes, don’t worry, we have figured it out everything. 

I wish our damned politicians, particularly my fellow Republicans learn the lesson - to reflect the needs to the public rather than what they want. Arivind Kejriwal has redefined and clarified what it means to be Government of the People by the people for the people.

I will ask the same question to Arvind Kejriwal, what if you fell sick or become dear to God in an accident, is your system established to move forward on its own? Do you have enough people deeply oriented with your ideals to carry the mantle? A sustainable government should be based on a system and not individuals.

My recommendation for Kejriwal is to establish the party in Delhi, be a part of the opposition or form the governance if the Delhi voters say yes, but don't expand to other parts of the country yet, as you are likely to fall like all others.

IBN network has bestwoed the Indian of the year award to Arvind Kejriwal, a well-deserved award. Congratulations Mr. Kejriwal! The following  6 minutes video on YouTube is worth watching to understand a genuine democracy – of the people by the people for the people

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQTZCG48cwo

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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 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 a book with the same title is coming up. Mike has a strong presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He 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; fortnightly at Huffington post; and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work through many links.
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Duck's Dynasty and right wing hypocrisy

DUCK’S DYNASTY AND DAMNED RIGHT WING HYPOCRITES

We must stand up for freedom of speech, and in absolute freedom!  If we let discretion creep in, then it will result in chaos. I don’t like what this idiot Phil Robertson said about Gays and Lesbians, but the answer is not shutting him down, but producing a better show to overshadow Duck’s Dynasty.

The selective sickness of the right wing Republicans and fake conservatives is disgusting – they want freedom to this dude but not for others. They remained silent, when one of them made reckless remarks about Idolaters, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Immigrants and others.
I urge my friend Sean Hannity to be consistent, and stand up for the freedom of all or none. I also urge the shameless opportunists like Cruz, Jindal, Palin, Santorum and others to have the decency to be consistent. 

A better show
I am thinking of a reality show... where every Americans is shown with the problems they face and how they make it work despite their differences through respecting the sentiments of each other, and minding their own business. A show based on Pluralism!
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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 place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day atwww.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 his work through many links. 

Pakistani Christians community hosts Christmas party in Dallas

NOTE: THIS BLOG IS STRICTLY MY WRITINGS, HOWEVER WHEN SOME ONE WRITES ABOUT ME, I HAVE INCLUDED HERE A FEW TIMES WITH A NOTE.
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Pakistani Christians community hosts Christmas party in Dallas

By Our correspondent Raja Zahid Khanzada
December 18, 2013 - Updated 636 PKT From Web Edition
http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-130778-Pakistani-Christians-community-hosts-Christmas-party-in-Dallas

DALLAS: Preparations for a big celebrations of Christmas and New Year is on fast pace. Shopping Centers, Malls and streets are showing holidays festivities, while buildings are decorated with bright lights.

Pakistani Christian Cultural Society of North Texas hosted a big Christmas Party. The party was attended by a large number of Pakistani Christian families living in North Texas as well as people from across other faiths.

The Key note speaker of the event was Dr. Nathan Shahid Jaleel who runs an organization Friends of United Christian Hospital in Lahore. The group is collecting funds to help the hospital in its finances.

Addressing the gathering Dr. Jaleel said that Bible's teach love of God and service to humanity, and Jesus Christ message also direct us to serve humanity.

He said this is the reason Christian community built this hospital in Lahore after Pakistan's independence, as the hospital still serves poor, needy and humanity at large. He said that this is our duty, who are living overseas to provide funds to the hospital in order for its smooth functioning, for which his organization is collecting funds.

Program organizer Javaid Samuel Gill and his wife Erum Gill thanked audience for their presence on this special occasion. Addressing the gathering they said that, they celebrate Christmas every year with people of Christian and inter faith communities, which provides an opportunity to all to sit together and socialize.

A well-presented Program was professionally moderated by Nina Rahat Gill, and Bakhtawar Gill. Dr. Samuel Gill and G Salik read the Christmas message, Pastor Saleem Gill, Pastor George Maseeh, Pastor Alexander Williams, and Mike Ghouse held special prayers.

Prominent community leaders including American Muslim Democratic Caucus Co-Chair Syed Fayyaz Hassan, Pakistan Television's retired Managing Director and several TV play writer Shahid Mahmood Nadeem, Pakistan American Association President Dr. Amer Suleman, Dr. Javed Ajmal, Naeem Chaudhry, Dr. Sadiq Jaleel, poet Syed Younus Ejaz, Tariq Hashmi, Noor Amrohvi, and Shah Alam and South Asia Democracy Watch President Dr. Qaiser Abbas were in attendance.

Mr. Irfan Ali and Mike Ghouse congratulated Javed Samuel and Erum Samuel for a beautiful Christmas program. Special prayers were offered for families of attendees as well as for Pakistan and its wellbeing was also in presenter's prayers.

Children of Mrs. Sumbal Javed and other prominent leaders presented special musicals where Javed Samuel played harmonium with his wife playing Sitar and Bakhtawar played Tabla as children presented "Sohni Dharti Allah Rakhe".

Local artists including Pastor Saleem, Alishpa Hafiz, Nina Gill, Zach Solomon, Kamran and Hafeez presented traditional Christmas Carol. Local poets including Syed Younus Ejaz, Noor Amrohvi, Tariq Hashmi, and Dr. Shamsa Qureshi put together a poetry session with relevance to the occasion of Christmas.

The Cultural Association also presented appreciation plaques to several of honorable guests including Dr. Amer Suleman, Dr. Sadiq Jalal, Dr. Raj Kumar, Raja Zahid Khanzada, Rahat Samuel Gill, Agha Ziaullah Khan, Samson Shahbaz, and others.

A sumptuous and elaborate dinner was also served and Santa Clause distributed gifts to children. Santa danced with others on popular music which brought the festivities to all participants.

Also published in Geo TV - http://www.geo.tv/article-130778-Pakistani-Christians-community-hosts-Christmas-party-in-Dallas

Texas Faith: Does a white Christmas mean Santa and Jesus have to be white?

Some of the white Christians will resist the idea of Jesus to be anything but what they have come to believe, as if Jesus will cease to exist if he were black.  The black Christians may feel the image of white Jesus and Santa was imposed on them, and it is human to resist anything forced on you against your will. I am certain they had their own un-articulated image of Jesus and Santa for as long as they have been Christians. Mike Ghouse

TEXAS FAITH: Does a white Christmas mean Santa and Jesus have to be white?
By Wayne Slater - wslater@dallasnews.com
1:54 pm on December 17, 2013 | Permalink

A cable television anchor named Megyn Kelly told viewers last week that Jesus and Santa Claus are both white men. At issue was a Slate article written by a black writer titled “Santa Claus Should Not Be A White Man Anymore.” The context of the piece was the tendency of cultures to view important figures in the most familiar and comfortable light. On her Fox News program, Kelly took issue with the writer.

“Just because it makes you feel uncomfortable doesn’t mean it has to change. Jesus was a white man, too. It’s like we have, he’s a historical figure that’s a verifiable fact, as is Santa, I just want kids to know that. How do you revise it in the middle of the legacy in the story and change Santa from white to black?”

Both sides pounced. Liberal web sites and late-night comics lampooned her. Conservative web sites defended her. Saturday Night Live did a skit featuring a black Santa. The debate went viral on the Internet. Kelly subsequently suggested she was joking and cast herself as a victim of identity politics. Clearly, her facts were flawed. Jesus was a 1st Century Jew who was likely dark skinned and Santa Claus is a mythological figure whose historical antecedent was from Turkey.

People believe what they are prepared to believe. What’s interesting was the passionate reaction to the remarks. Why the fierce dustup? Why did the idea that a white Christmas means Santa’s white cause so much consternation? What did this episode say about the way we see the world and our willingness — or reluctance – to see things in different ways?

Our Faith Panel weighs in thoughtfully (and with a few fireworks) on history, ethnic identity, political correctness and the virtues of faith and the holidays:

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

If Jesus is our lord, and Santa Claus represents the joys of Christmas, I have to relate with them to call them “our Lord” and “our Santa”. Just as God claims to have created humans in his own image so he can relate with them, I would say, we have created God in our own image, a whopping 7 billion perceptions of God.

Even though God is stamped onto our memory with certain images, features and characteristics, some of us have developed our own embellishments to it to personalize him, her or it. While a majority of Christians, Hindus and others have a built-in image of God, the Buddhist, Jains, Zoroastrians and Native traditions do not have a set image, yet they have created their own image of God. The Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Baha’i and others do not take God as a being or an entity, and certainly have a built-in resistance to collapsing God into an image or a shape. But deep down, they imagine and describe God as a being, however, they knock it out instantaneously. It’s human to relate God as their own.

I am blessed to have universalized God. Even those who knew me, particularly Muslims in Dallas, thought I was a Hindu, Buddhist or a Baha’i, and the Hindu community thought I was a Christian and a Buddhist until ten years ago. Three years ago, I was in a Muslim conference and an Arab Muslim came over and started praising my articles on Islam, and said he has translated and published them in Arabic. He then asked me how do I know so much about Islam, and when I said, I am a Muslim, he was taken back and said he thought I was Jewish all these years! One of my Hindu friends of 20 years, until recently, insisted that I cannot be anything but a Hindu or at least a Christian.

If someone likes you, they want to see you as their own, in their own image. Of course the white Christians saw Jesus in their own image, and the African Americans just took that image when they became Christians. But I am certain; they had their own un-articulated different image of Jesus and Santa for as long as they have been Christians.

Some of the white Christians will resist the idea of Jesus to be anything but what they have come to believe, as if Jesus will cease to exist if he were black.  The black Christians may feel the image of white Jesus and Santa was imposed on them, and it is human to resist anything forced on you against your will.

The need of the day is to upgrade Jesus, above all human imaginations and limitations and accept him in essence rather than in physical form. It is his love and sacrifice to humanity that needs to be appreciated. I hope and pray that at least from this Christmas season forward, we accept and embrace Jesus without reserve just as he set the example of embracing the humanity without reserve. Let him be meaningful to us in every which way he can be imagined.

To see the take from 12 different panelists, go to Dallas Morning News at: http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/12/texas-faith-does-a-white-christmas-mean-santa-and-jesus-are-white.html/

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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 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 a book with the same title is coming up. Mike has a strong 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.
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Babri Masjid: Lack of leadership among Hindus

By Mike Ghouse

Published at http://twocircles.net/2013dec13/babri_masjid_lack_leadership_among_hindus.html

Twenty one years ago, on December 6, 1992, the hypocrite Indians who call India their mother, ripped her apart. Not only they hurt the other children of that mother but destroyed their historic symbol; Babri Masjid.
Do we have a leader among Indians who considers every Indian to be an Indian, and nothing but an Indian?
In August of 2003, ten years ago, I talked about Ayodhya; here is clip from Mark Donald's Across the Divide in Dallas Observer, a lead story for that week.

“Ayodhya. It is an issue a lot of Indian-Americans shun talking about," Ghouse tells his radio audience. "But we must talk about it. We only know some aspects of the issue. When we learn all aspects, it brings some sort of resolution. It settles the dust in our minds, and when the dust settles, it gives clarity, peace of mind. It gives you freedom from the bondage of your prejudice."

On this issue, however, Ghouse can't resist offering his own opinion. He sees the problem as political rather than religious, exploited by Hindu extremists within the BJP to solidify their power. His idea is to defuse the problem through conciliation. "My suggestion is that Muslims should offer the land to build a temple for Ram. That is what a majority of Muslims in India feel. That is what a majority of Hindus feel. Let's not fight over an issue that is not going to help my children get education or get food on the table.

Quickly, he gulps some water and wipes a thin layer of sweat from his brow. "I will take your calls now. I will take all opinions, no matter how extreme, no matter how calm, no matter how agitated. All opinions are welcome."


The legitimate fear that holds Muslims from putting an end to this conflict is really not the land; it is the bent of the extremist politicians who want to dupe the common Hindus into believing that, to be a Hindu, one has to be anti-Muslim.

Of course India’s pluralistic ethos is deeper and has a solid foundation for the majority of Hindus to fall into the extremist politician’s trap, who want to wipe out everything that is Muslim. Thank God that is not the view of Hindu majority. However, the ones who scream the loudest get the hearing and corrupt the goodness of an average Hindu.

There are millions of Muslims out there who would want to live in harmony with every Indian regardless of his religion, caste or linguistic heritage, and that has been the tradition. Many of us want to be a part of building the Ram Temple and let go of the Mosque, but the blood thirsty politicians will not be satisfied with it, there is no end to their demands, they want more, and more and every pound of flesh from Muslims.
This is what is holding the nation. Do we have a leader among BJP who considers every Indians to be an Indian – no matter what that Indian eats, drinks, wears or believes? Do we have a Hindu leader who can rack up support to put an end to the harassment of Muslims, Christians, Dalits and other minorities in their daily conversations? Do we have a leader whose word is an iron clad guarantee that if Muslims walk away from Babri Masjid, they will not be pushed to give more and more? If there is a mai ka laal son of Bharat Mata, come forward, it will put an end to the conflict and we all can live our own lives and mind our own business.

The Indian Muslims are sick of the blame and the ugly comments hurled at them about India's partition, attacks of Ghazni on Somnath or the cruelties and Massacres of Aurangzeb. Many a parents teach their children to hate, and build biases against Muslims. It is not good for any one.

The Muslims of independent India are not responsible for the Partition, attacks of Ghazni or cruelty of Aurangzeb, just as the present day Hindus are not responsible for the past cruelties towards untouchables and burning of widows. This must be clearly understood and taught to bring Mukti (freedom) to both Hindus and Muslims from the bondage of the past.

Deep down, all humans seek justice and a balance in life, and without it, they are lost in sectarian warfare. As a member of the civilized nations, we need to collectively work towards building a cohesive India, where no Indian has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other -- an India where everyone is free to eat, drink, wear and believe whatever suits him/her.

What we need is trust building steps and Indians taking responsibility for their commitments. The Civility of a nation is measured by how she treats her women, children, and the ones in ditches, the minorities and the voiceless. An Australian professor shot back and wanted to know India's record.

Neither Indian, nor Australian or American system will score 100 in civility, but certainly it has the structure to contribute towards that goal, and if the rule of law prevails.

As a solution, India has offered reservations in jobs, and education system to those economically backward and those in the ditches to uplift them, we still have Sachar Report's recommendations to be implemented to uplift Muslims. We have to pull every one up from the ditches to a point from which they will be competitive. Harassment and Oppression of women continues female infanticide is a daily occurrence.

However, India's laws are equitable, the knowledge of which has not permeated into the whole society, nor its implementation occurs. Thanks to the internet and social media, the society will eventually monitor itself. You can be who you want to be in India. It’s a tough battle, but legally, our path is paved.
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Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer. He can be reached at www.TheGhousediary.com.

Aga Khan's 77th birthday Celebrations - Khushali Greetings to the Pluralist Icon of the world

 Khushali Greetings to Ismaili Muslims and HH Aga Khan

Every child, teen and an adult has someone or the other that he or she looks up to, and wants to-be-like that person and eventually becomes one. A good role model is a key to the success of a civil society. Indeed we have a few good men and women who are great role models for Muslims to look up to. 

His Highness Aga Khan is one Muslim figure that is respected around the world for his work in uplifting fellow beings; the very foundational duty of a Muslim. Quran is inundated with verses that always end emphasizing on taking care of fellow beings over everything else. In simple words, a mother or a father would be happier if their kids get along, and they would be even happier if the one doing well were to lift up the other siblings who were not doing well. Similarly God will be most pleased if we take care our fellow beings;his creation.

Indeed, His Highness Aga Khan has pleased God of the Aalameen (of all people) with his work. His work is not limited to one community, but the whole humanity as God wanted and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had reiterated.

He is an inspiration to me, and among the living pluralists today he is one of the few who has actually taken the steps to build an educational system, the Global Center for Pluralism  in Canada to bring about a positive change in the world. Harvard University is another institution that has done extensive research on Pluralism with Diana Eck. And now, God willing, I am looking forward to setting up an Institution to conduct workshops and teach pluralism based on my twenty years of studies of societies,  and I welcome all the help I can.

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 (Quran 49:13).

Through their speeches, actions and writings, I have identified a few men and women who are inherent pluralists such as HH Aga Khan, Pope Francis, Karen Armstrong, Barack Obama, Javed Ahmad Ghamidi, Dalai Lama, Bishop Tutu, Eboo Patel, Rabbi Michael Lerner, Pope Francis and a few others. Thank God, Pluralism runs in my veins, and I hope to work with these great men and women in the coming years to foster Pluralism; i.e., respecting the otherness of others.

 On his 77th Birthday, I urge fellow Muslims to work on writing about these men and women, and how their work can last for centuries to come. Aga Khan's speeches and writings must become a part of social studies in school text books, Islamic social education at Mosques and private schools.  He is our role model!

The role of Muslims is to contribute towards the well being of humanity, to be  conflict mitigaters and goodwill nurturers. To aim for a secure world for every human. God wants us to live in peace and harmony with his creation; life and matter.

HH Karim Aga Khan is the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims. He is a direct descendent of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) through Prophet's daughter Hazrat Fatima (ra) and Hazrat Ali (ra), who was the first cousin of Prophet Muhammad, and the first Imam in Shia tradition.

Indeed, Hazrat Ali was the first male to become a Muslim when the prophet shared his message of oneness of God, accountability of one's actions and creating cohesive societies through justice.

Karim Aga Khan was born on December 13, 1936. At the age of 20, he succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan and became the 49th hereditary Imam of the community.  He is the living interpreter of Qur'an and provides authoritative guidance on matters of faith to the Ismaili Muslims.

Khushali is a weeklong birthday celebration of HH Aga Khan. The entire Ismaili Muslim community meets in the Jamaat Khana (community center) for the whole week, extolling his work and his service to their community and humanity. 

He is one of the rare gems of Islamic scholarship and a Harvard Graduate. He has understood the essence of Islam and articulates it very well. Islam to him is serving and caring for people around you, regardless of their affiliation. A vision put forth by the Prophet, when he said a good deed is like planting a seed, knowing full well, that you may not be the beneficiary of the fruit and shade of the eventual tree in years to come, the prophet said, that is a good deed, it is leaving a good legacy for the next generation, as we have bequeathed from the previous one.

One of the unique qualities of Aga Khan is his ability to seamlessly blend the spiritual and the material worlds. Prophet Muhammad and Hazrat Ali, both preached moderation, and creating a balance between ascetic living and living for material comforts. 

I drop things to read and listen to his speeches, it's all about pluralism.  I urge fellow humans to consider listening to him. His talks encompass the idea embedded in God being the God of the universes, not for the 47% but for the full 100% of his creation.  Prophet Muhammad is the mercy to mankind, not just Muslims but the entire 100% of humanity, what he preached was to create cohesive societies, where no human had to live in fear of the other. The only fear he advocated was fear of God for doing wrong to fellow beings.

Aga Khan lives by example to his 15 Million plus followers around the world. The best way to learn about him is his work, the development work to uplift the ones in the ditches, his institution teaches them how to catch the fish and be self supporting. Visit www.akdn.org/

May he live a long life and serve his community, the Muslim community and every one of the 7 billion of humans.

I am pleased to include Dr. Peerwani's comment:
 
Thank you Mike for posting this on His Highness the Aga Khan, a truly remarkable man. The Ismailies, as you are aware, follow the "batini" path and differ in some of the practices. It is truly sad that they are maligned and rejected by the orthodoxy. As the Arab Spring now moves into its second phase, acceptance of diversity will be the litmus test. Without this, there is no democracy. Let me quote something from the speech of PM Harper of Canada:

"Your Highness, there are no superlatives to adequately describe the admiration Canadians have for the work that you and your organizations do in the service of pluralism, peace and development around the world. You truly inspire our own hopes for a better world. We Canadians are rightly proud of the fact that we have built one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse and harmonious societies on earth. This achievement is rooted in our founding values: freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

But it's also rooted in our unique history and the heroic agreements our founding peoples made to acknowledge and accommodate their diversity. As you yourself have said, you're Highness, and I quote, "We cannot make the world safe for democracy unless we also make the world safe for diversity." If I may say so, sir, you sound like a Canadian. And in fact, you are. On June 19, 2009, our House of Commons voted unanimously to bestow Honorary Canadian Citizenship on His Highness the Aga Khan. This is, if I may say, a richly deserved honor."

(Abstract from the Speech by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the Foundation Ceremony of the Ismaili Centre, Toronto, May 10, 2010)

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam and building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. His work is all linked up at www.MikeGhouse.net and published in major news papers and magazine including his blog - www.TheGhouseDiary.com

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A few of the many articles published at www.WorldMuslimCongress.com,
a site committed to nurturing pluralist values of Islam.

1. Aga Khan and Malala, the Muslim role Modelshttp://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/12/aga-khan-and-malala-muslim-role-models.html
2. The book, where hope takes root by Aga Khan http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/06/aga-khan-democracy-pluralism.html
    
3. Aga Khan - Indeed building bridges is part of the Muslim heritage, as Muslims, our role is to mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill. The Aga Khan is doing just that http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/04/aga-khan-building-bridges.htm
4. Aga Khan, fifty years of Imamat http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/04/aga-khan-50-years-of-imamat.html
5. Aga Khan Speech about balance http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2009/04/speech-by-his-highness-aga-khan-at.html
6. Khushali Mubarak and Happy Imamat Day http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/07/khushali-mubarak-and-happy-imamat-day.html
   
7. Global Religious leaders http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/04/global-religious-leaders.html

8. Architect of universal good http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/04/architect-of-universal-good.html

9. Shia Imami Muslims
   http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2009/08/shia-imami-ismaili-muslims.html

10. Criticism of Islam, Prophet and Quran
    http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/11/criticism-of-islam-prophet-muhammad.html

11. Respecting Muslim Caliphs (Khalifa), Imams and decidersThe most persecuted communities among Muslims today are the Ahmadiyya Muslims followed by Shia Muslims by Sunni Muslims.  We know it is not Islamic to be unjust, oppressive and harassive towards others, Muslims or otherwise, but yet it is going on in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia and even in India.  As a Muslim, it is my duty to speak up, and if all of us do our share of speaking up, at least we have fulfilled the responsibility to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil.   http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/12/respecting-muslim-caliphs-khalifa-imams.html 

LGBT - Same Sex marriage declared unconstitutional by Supreme Court of India - Unwise decision.

INDIA'S SUPREME COURT'S DECISION TO BAN SAME SEX MARRIAGE  IS NOT WISE
URL - http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/12/lgbt-same-sex-marriage-declared.html

The Supreme Court's decision is not wise and needs to be challenged.  We need to find out how much Hindu, Muslim and Christian leaders’ belligerence influenced the Judges and how much the constitutional values of freedom of individuals played in to their hands.  This is not good for India or any society in the long term. Injustice to one is injustice to all; prejudice to one will end up in prejudice to all eventually. 

Civil society has the responsibility to protect the society at large from crimes that materially affected by robbing, stealing, lying, rape, incest, child abuse, abuse of women, murders, or breaking contracts of marriage or business and not fulfilling the social and legal contracts, so there is a punishment prescribed for all such violations.
 
Full article will appear in a newspaper shortly. 

 

Thank you
mike
Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
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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 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 a book with the same title is coming up. Mike has a strong 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.
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Pope Francis Articles

I wrote the following articles on Pope Francis

1. Mar 14, 2013 - Muslims welcome Pope Francis, Thursday, March 14, 2013 http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/03/muslims-welcome-pope-francis.html
   
2. Mar 19, 2013 - Texas Faith: What piece of advice would you give the new pope? Dallas Morning News -  http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/03/texas-faith-what-piece-of-advice-would.html
   
3. Mar 28, 2013 - Christian Muslim Conflict mitigation,  http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/03/christian-muslim-conflict-mitigation.html
   
4. Mar 31, 2013 - What made me go to the Catholic Church today for Easter?  http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/03/what-made-me-go-to-catholic-church.html
   
5. Apr 09, 2013 - Why Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu Leaders Have High Hopes for Pope Francis, http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/04/why-jewish-muslim-and-hindu-leaders.html
   
6. Aug 02, 2013 - Pope Francis the merciful http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/08/pope-francis-merciful.html
   
7. Aug 02, 2013 - Pope Francis wishes Ramadan Mubarak to Muslims http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/08/pope-francis-wishes-ramadan-mubarak.html
   
8. Aug 07, 2013 - Texas faith: What relevance does Pope Francis have beyond the Catholic Church?  Dallas Morning News - http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/08/texas-faith-what-relevance-does-pope.html
   
9. Aug 22, 2013 - A video Message to pastor Jones with comments on the Pope http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsQq-tbJ89k&feature=youtu.be
   
10. Sep 24, 2013 - Texas Faith: Pope Francis criticizes narrow focus on abortion, gay rights and conception. Dallas Morning News - http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/09/texas-faith-pope-francis-criticizes.html
    
11. Nov 06, 2013 - Michami Dukadam - Starting life over with a clear slate,  Mere Mention http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/11/michami-dukadam-starting-life-over-with.html 
    
12. Nov 14, 2013 - Pope Francis - This is my Pope, and I am a Muslim. http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/11/pope-francis-this-is-my-pope-and-i-am.html
    
13. Dec 03, 2014 – Who would not love this Pope http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/12/who-would-not-love-pope-francis.html
14. Dec 11, 2014 - Pope Francis and a wave of peace - Times's person of the year
    http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/12/pope-francis-and-wave-of-peace.html 

 

 

Thank you
mike
Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
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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 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 a book with the same title is coming up. Mike has a strong 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.
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Pope Francis and a wave of peace

POPE FRANCIS is TIME'S PERSON OF THE YEAR!
MY HEART FELT CONGRATULATIONS!
URL - http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/12/pope-francis-and-wave-of-peace.html


First of all, congratulations to the Pope for this recognition, perhaps Times best choice in years.

Pope Francis is my hero and an inspiration.  He is one of the true pluralists, respecting God and respecting every one God has created. Ever since he became the Pope in March, I have read up on him and now read almost everything about him.He gives me hopes that he can influence the world to be a better place to live for every human. He has already performed the acts of Jesus by embracing humanity regardless of their beliefs and practices.

The age old conflicts between Judaism and Christianity, and Christianity and Islam, and denigration of Paganism and Hinduism have been down cast on the peace and tranquility of the world. 

Pope Francis has released his new apostolic exhortation, "Evangelii Gaudium," (The Joy of the Gospel), it was a serendipitous Chanukah gift, that brought joy to the Jewish world. Its a good step in the right direction, and I have submitted the genuine conflicts between Muslims and Christians that needs to be addressed. He has touched upon the other conflicts.

After Gandhi, MLK and Mandela, Pope Francis is one person that does not have barriers between him and humanity. He is almost following the teachings of Jesus and Prophet Muhammad in spirit. Let's pray that he becomes an instrument of mercy to mankind.

This is one of the best choices Time has made. http://poy.time.com/2013/12/11/pope-francis-the-choice/

Here are my articles: http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/12/pope-francis-articles.html

God willing, I hope to visit him and initiate the Muslim Christian dialogue on a genuine ability to accept and respect the differences in the spirit of Quran's guidance.
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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 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 a book with the same title is coming up. Mike has a strong 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.
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Texas Faith: How do you assess Nelson Mandela’s complex legacy?

How do you assess Nelson Mandela’s complex legacy?

The People of Dallas will honor Mandela by applying his principles, and initiate a symbolic reconciliation process with Native Americans on Sunday, January 26, 2014. The event is to commemorate the 7th annual Holocaust and Genocides event at Unity of Dallas. Details at: www.HolocaustandGenocides.com

Published in Dallas Morning News's weekly column Texas Faith
URL- http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/12/texas-faith-how-do-you-assess-nelson.html

By Bill McKenzie / Editorial Columnist
wmckenzie@dallasnews.com
3:39 pm on December 10, 2013 | Permalink
How do you assess the complex legacy of Nelson Mandela?

There are so many ways to get into this question. So, let me start with these three quick summaries of his long journey:

In a powerful and controversial move as president, he set up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission after apartheid officially ended. The commission allowed those who testified about crimes in the apartheid era to step forward and tell the truth without fear of retribution. The sins of the past were acknowledged in exchange for individual amnesty.

On the other hand, Mandela was part of a group in the early 1960s that decided to take up arms against the apartheid government. They decided that rising up militarily against their oppressors was the best strategy. Of course, that was not the non-violent approach that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and Mahatma Ganhdi embraced.And then there was this revelation in Bill Keller’s obituary of Mandela in the New York Times:


Mr. Mandela said he regarded his prison experience as a major factor in his nonracial outlook. He said prison tempered any desire for vengeance by exposing him to sympathetic white guards who smuggled in newspapers and extra rations, and to moderates within the National Party government who approached him in hopes of opening a dialogue. Above all, prison taught him to be a master negotiator.

There are many aspects of his long, storied and complicated fight for justice. So, let me stop here and ask you:

What do you make of Nelson Mandela’s complex legacy?
Read on for some nuanced and insightful replies:

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

Despite the complexity of his legacy, Nelson Mandela’s powerful legacy is his inclusionary embrace of all people, just as Jesus and other spiritual masters did.

Mandela respected the “otherness” of others and accepted the God-given uniqueness of his fellow humans. For those who are committed to building cohesive societies, where no one has to live in apprehension or fear of the other, Mandela laid a solid foundation for building such a society. I literally froze with admiration when I read, “And a guarantee that whites would not be subjected to reprisals.” That is a powerful statement and he must have taken lot of heat from some of the militants among the oppressed black majority, who were naturally raging to get even.

Mandela summed up his philosophy thus, “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination,” he told the court. “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal for which I hope to live for and to see realized. But my lord, if it needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

Timothy Burke’s message sums up his legacy : “Mourn the statesman and the revolutionary and the terrorist and the neoliberal and the ethicist and the pragmatist and the saint and don’t you dare try to discard or remove any part of that whole. Celebrate him? Sure, but then make sure you’re willing to consider emulating him.”

Muslims may see him as living the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who lived a full life with all the pains and joys of life that a normal human would endure for the sake of public good. The Jewish people may long for a Mandela to resurrect social justice as their core value risking the overriding need for security with ultimate justice for the inhabitants of Israel-Palestine. Hindus may see it as someone who practiced the ideals of Vasudhaiva Kutumbukum (the whole world is one family) and the Buddhists may appreciate his passive but positive action. Indeed, most religious people can relate with Mandela.

The people of Dallas will honor Mandela by applying his principles, and initiate a symbolic reconciliation process with Native Americans on Sunday, January 26, 2014. The event is to commemorate the 7th annual Holocaust and Genocides event. (www.HolocaustandGenocides.com) at Unity of Dallas.

It is about time we publicly acknowledge the wrong without fears of compensation. Native Americans deserve to be heard and acknowledged about their genocide, and we all need to put this hurt behind.

Indeed, Nelson Mandela's legacy of building cohesive societies will live on.

To read the responses of fellow panelists, please visit Dallas Morning News at: http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/12/texas-faith-how-do-you-assess-nelson-mandelas-complex-legacy.html/#more-32419

Additional write ups:

• http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/06/world/africa/nelson-mandela_obit.html?pagewanted=6&_r=0
• http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-leadership/wp/2013/12/09/five-nelson-mandela-tributes-that-will-change-how-you-think/
• A Muslims' Prayer for Nelson Mandela http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-muslims-prayer-for-nelson-mandela.html

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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 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 a book with the same title is coming up. Mike has a strong 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.
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