A conversation about Trump-Quake

Saturday, March 18, 2017, Washington, DC – A small group of people from the Pakistan American Association gathered up in Chevy Chase Community Library to discuss where we stand in this political climate and what can be done. I was invited to participate in the conversation along with 15 other community members.

A question was asked if there is one issue on their mind that needs addressing what would that be. Mine was to focus on coalition building, since one of the members had already said, I chose “Integration” and a variety of choices came up – outreach to neighbors, depression, Legal recourse and other good items.  Others will write their notes, but let me focus on my take, and some my talking points did not make it.

Real quick, let’s talk about our present environment and then briefly the short and long term approaches to our future.
I don’t need to elaborate on the situation we are in, it is apprehensive; it is just not us, but all of us in America are tense.  We should not, and we cannot point fingers at any one, we have to do our work in good faith and goodness always triumphs.
What is that each one of us wants?   All of us want to have a caring family, good health, livable wages, a modest home to live and retire in peace and security.  Those of us who have children and Grandchildren, we would like to see them feel secure about their future, jobs and their lives.

These pillars of life are shaken now! TrumpQuake is hitting all of us. I am not talking about a particular group, but all of us Americans.

We are at the bottom of the Maslow’s hierarchy – our prime driver is security now.  All the money we have accumulated isn’t worth it if we continue to live in apprehension or can’t even sleep in the grave in peace. What the misguided ones did to Jewish Cemeteries was shameful, there was a case where a dead woman was pulled out of the grave and gang raped in India.

Now let’s focus on the problem… and then talk about short and long term solutions.

What is the source of conflict? Is it religion, race or ethnicity? I beg to submit that it is none of it, they are merely labels.  The problem is “Security” – there is an assumption made that if your group is large in numbers you are secure and can defend yourselves, on the other hand if your faith, ethnicity or race is small in numbers or weak in defense, you are inferior. This is part of our survival gene of the DNA.  This also applies to the same race as well as the same faith but between established and the new.

Let’s take a real quick tour of the world –Genocide in Darfur? It was the same race but the Arab ethnicity had the arrogance to believe they were superior? The Sunnis in Pakistan has the arrogance to believe that their version of Islam is superior to that of Ahmadi, Indian Muslims have the arrogance to believe that Indonesians are less Muslims than themselves… what do they know about Islam? Hindus have the arrogance to believe that they are a superior fait. You will see the same bloody arrogance in every people. No group is free from stains. Let’s come home to America.

Being a prosperous nation, the white majority never looked at the immigrants as their competition – they wanted and needed more people to build on the prosperity, they were secure. But when the economy went to tanks, things changed. The Americans born and raised here lost their good jobs at Microsoft to India, Philippines and elsewhere. Isn’t it natural to resent the causer, if the job has cost your home, car and your family?

It was not limited to the white collar workers; the problem hit factories and manufacturing sector severely affecting the suburban and rural America.

What did we do when the economy went to tank? What was the conversation about? Minorities, Immigration, Muslims were part of the conversation.  We completely ignored the white folks; they were not a part of the conversation but equally affected like everyone else was.  Their resentment is natural.

Example of my own town Yelahanka, a suburb of Bangalore and the folks from Madanpalli! Briefly, the “natives” who had lived in the town for generations lived their stagnant life. The new comers from Madanpalli worked hard and became rich in a short period of time. Fortunately no destructive action came out of that resentment. This example holds good in almost every town across America or any part of the world.

The problem is security which otherizes the other with a religious, cultural, racial or ethnic label.

Going forward – the short term solution;

clean up our own hearts and mouths with soap. Quit calling them deplorables, red necks, uneducated, rapists, murderers and other shameful epithets.  We should be ashamed of treating someone who is down on life in such a derogatory manner.  If we had gone through what they have, we would have acted the same. It’s human.

Reach out to them –be sincere and ask them that you want to see the world from their point of view… and be a damn good listener without interrupting.  All humans instantly recognize fakeness so if you cannot be sincere, stay back otherwise you will screw up if you start telling about you instead of listening to them.  Once they share their hearts they will ask you, and if they don’t, let it go.  That is how you build connections and that is how you mitigate ill-will.  If all of us do that, the good energy would take over.

Example of Grizzly Joe

Long term – go to the small town fairs to relate with fellow Americans who are not like you. It applies to each one of us. Familiarity breeds comfort and comfort leads to understanding, and understanding to acceptance.

Look at our many programs listed at www.Centerforpluralism.com/Program

People are not machines to give instant results. If you put a coin in the vending machine out comes your drink. In case of people it is not money, it is trust and to build trust it takes a long time after several rejections and disappointments.  Remember the story of Prophet Muhammad? God tells him in Quran to do his duty to give out the message of unity, oneness of humanity and it is up to God to give them guidance, all the books of wisdom including Bhagvad Gita tells us – do your duty let the results come from the superior energy.

When you feel insecure, you blame someone else and also express the loss in terms of ‘our way of life’ is at stake, we are losing it out to ‘these’ new people.

We need to reassure each other, including disappointed White Americans that together as Americans, we are committed to safeguarding the American way of life for everyone.  No American needs to worry about losing his or her way of life.  As Americans we uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our Constitution. This will ensure continuity of our lives.

First thing I would suggest is to fix our stinky attitudes towards fellow Americans.

It is the uncertainty, until the dust settles we cannot see anything clearly.

But when this is all over, we will come around.

Check out these two articles:

Who Speaks for American Muslims
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/58cc16d6e4b0537abd957036

Do Muslims have their priorities lined up?
http://centerforpluralism.com/do-muslims-have-their-priorities-lined-up/

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Dr. Mike Ghouse is the Executive Director of the Center for Pluralism. He is a frequent guest on National TV including Fox News, syndicated Radio talk shows, and has published over 3000 articles on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics and foreign policy. He is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, interfaith wedding officiant, and a Public Speaker. He is dedicated his life to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. All about him in 65 links at MikeGhouse.net and www.Centerforpluralism.com

Let’s Cherish America!

Let’s Cherish America! 

This weekly bulletin comes to you from the Center for Pluralism, an organization committed to building a cohesive America, where no American needs to feel alienated or afraid of the other.

We need to reassure each other, including disappointed White Americans as others, that together as Americans, we are committed to safeguarding the American way of life for everyone.  No American needs to worry about losing his or her way of life.  As Americans we uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our Constitution.

We will continue to initiate and support actions to cherish and preserve our shared American values. Join us in small steps in practicing pluralism in religion, politics, society and culture and be a catalyst for a safe, secure and prosperous America for each one of us.

CFP is a Muslim initiative but not a Muslim organization, it is for all Americans.  Islam is as much a part of CFP as Atheism, Hinduism, Paganism or any other ism including the Native American traditions.

Please visit http://centerforpluralism.com

Get ready to participate in Civic (Memorial Day and July 4th) Religious (Wisdom of Masters, Understanding Religions), Cultural (Thanksgiving), Social and political (Conservative and progressive meetings) programs. The more we know each other the fewer problems we will have with others.

Let’s open our hearts, minds and souls to restore and cherish America.

Reaching out to the disappointed White folks

We need to reach out to the white folks who feel alienated from the mainstream. They are the most neglected but the most powerful group in America Today, they put Donald Trump in the White House and they can dethrone him if he does not fulfill and treat all Americans on an equal footing.  We will fail miserably if we don’t reach out to them. Let’s build alliances with all Americans for the common good, and not, never against any American.

It is worth watching this video… and I have written a few articles about it. It was our collective fault that we ignored the white folks who equally faced the difficult economic times. Sometimes, facts don’t matter, emotion does. This video is worth watching – I want to hug them, they are good people caught in economic turmoil and are frustrated about the situation.

https://www.facebook.com/theguardian/videos/1491239407569788/

Would you join me – at least one from each faith to visit McDowell county in W. Virginia and break bread with the folks there and assure them that we are with them and we will do whatever we can to help them? We are in this together and have to care for each other.  No more talk, only action. We will rent a vehicle and share the cost unless someone wants to sponsor it.

Media Training to Speak on Islam

The purpose of this course is to train men and women, youth and seniors to speak about Islam as practiced by American Muslims in Public Square.  Program is open to every American. This is the third and final session of the course. In the other two courses the basics of Islam and how they contribute to the well being of our communities we taught.

Katherine Kerr and Mike Ghouse will provide training about dealing with the media and responding to crises. We will carry the program forward empowering students not only with Islamic knowledge but also knowledge about other faiths. One of my assignments with the American Muslim Institution was to establish training programs.

Saturday, March 11, 2017 – 11AM to 3:30 PM – 4 spots available

Do American Muslims Want Sharia?

American Muslims owe it to fellow Americans to clarify the myths about Sharia. We hope to mitigate this fear through a symposium with the Imams and Islamic scholars on the one hand, and those who oppose Sharia on the other. Sharia in America is a moot point, but as Muslims we have miserably failed to communicate to fellow Americans. We have to put this behind us and focus on living our lives instead of these non-stop frustrations to one and irritation to the other.

Our budget is $15,000.00 – It is a serious responsibility to pass on a better social environment for our kids and grand kids. If we don’t do it, who will? We need sponsors; if you are serious about putting this behind, us, please call me.

Check your patience – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTkG6PKnNFw&feature=youtu.be

Radio Pluralism in Washington DC | Coming Soon
Information at:  http://centerforpluralism.com/radio-pluralism-in-washington-dc/

MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Karen Hollie-Thibodeaux

Dr. Karen Hollie-Thibodeaux’s life has been used greatly by God:  as a pioneer when He led her to establish Grace International Seminary in 2007; and as a trailblazer when He gave her the vision to plant a church where individuals can reach their greatest potential.

Her commission from God to plant a globally diverse, celebratory church is being fulfilled.  It is a church that will empower, enlighten, and encourage the unchurched, alienated, and the lost to a life-changing new beginning through teaching, preaching and evangelism.  Upon this premise, Lifeway Church of Dallas was founded with Dr. Hollie-Thibodeaux as the senior pastor.

Dr. Hollie-Thibodeaux is an Ambassador of Peace in 2008, with the Universal Peace Federation.  As an Ambassador of Peace, she travelled to Europe and Asia, and Middle East regularly promoting world peace.

She serves a clinical Psychotherapist and is president of Life Change Agents Enterprises.

Fatima Argun

Fatima Argun is an international marketing, strategic planning & management expert and business development executive with a developing expertise in organizational development, facilitation and conflict management.  Her experience includes work at senior levels with organizations such as Booz Allen Hamilton, the US Department of Commerce, The US Senate Judiciary Committee, MCI WorldCom, and the World Bank. She is presently engaged as a strategy consultant, representative, educator, advocate and fundraiser for NGOs and as an advocate to empower women through leadership and entrepreneurship skills.

Fatima serves her community in a number of capacities, including as a member of the Arlington County Democratic Committee Steering Committee, and Outreach Committee Co-Chair. She was recently elected to the Lee Highway Alliance Community Advisory Council.

Ms. Argun is an MBA graduate of the Johns Hopkins University. She has studied conflict management at the School for Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and the United States Institute of Peace. In addition, Fatima holds a Masters degree in Public Affairs (MPA) from the Lyndon Baines Johnson School at the University of Texas-Austin, and has studied at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. Ms. Argun is proficient in Turkish, and is conversant in French

Nothing will change if we don’t make the effort.

We have a lot of work planned, I will be happy to mail you a tiny brochure summarizing the work we are doing.  We will need your physical address to mail.

We are making several efforts to reach out to Congressmen and Senators, and we are not asking them to do us a favor, but simply asking them to be a catalyst in shaping our nation. CFP is not a business so do not expect quarterly returns on your investment of time and money; it is a service that builds sustainable harmony and stability.

PLEASE DONATE GENEROUSLY

Meanwhile, please make a generous donation – your name will be listed for supporting our efforts in building a cohesive America. You can donate at.  America Together Foundation is Center for Pluralism.  https://www.paypal.me/AmericansTogether

This weekly bulletin comes to you from the Center for Pluralism. The Center for Pluralism is about building a cohesive America, where no American has to live in anxiety, discomfort or fear of another American.  By learning to respect the “otherness” of others and accepting the God-given uniqueness of each one of us, we pave the way to mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill. Then we all can live our lives and not worry about other’s religion, race, sexual orientation or ethnicity. We are all Americans.

Mike Ghouse,
President, and a Board Member
Center for Pluralism | Research and Activism
(214) 325-1916 | Washington DC | Mike@Centerforpluralism.com

Pluralism News, Monday, February 27, 2017

Pluralism News is weekly newsletter about pluralism in religion, politics, culture and society.  Please visit http://centerforpluralism.com/news/

1. President Trump received our letter
2. Conservative and Liberals don’t have to be each other’s throats
3. Is it worth talking with the right wing extremists and radicals?

President Trump received our letter, hope it becomes a part of the State of the Union. 

It is our responsibility individually and collectively to stand up for fellow Americans when they feel insecure. If we don’t stand up for others why should anyone stand up for anyone?  Our security (Americans) hinges on the security of every American. It behooves us to work on security of others and ultimately we all would feel secure.   Last week, a Jewish Cemetery was desecrated and over 50 Jewish Community Centers received bomb threats.

The Center for Pluralism wanted to get a message out to the president to speak out against Anti-Semitism and all others ills of the society such as Islamophobia, Xenophobia, and Racism and…..
The letter was carefully crafted to be short and precise to increase the chances of reading it in less than 2 minutes and under 200 words.  The letter was delivered to the President, Vice President, and several members at CPAC meeting and most of them read standing in the hallway including Chairman of the CPAC read it.

God willing we will continue to work and see if the President can incorporate the message of cohesiveness in his state of the Union Address on 2/28.

The actual letter and details at: http://centerforpluralism.com/cfp-delivers-the-letter-to-president-trump/

Conservatives and Liberals at each other’s throats 

It’s a shame that both sides one continue to paint each other as enemies; enemies they are not! Each group talks about how bad and divisive the other is, without realizing their equal contribution to the divisiveness.  I am writing a full article on the topic and will be published at the Hill, and will share that link. It is amazing how mean we get just to prove we are right.

Is it worth talking with the right wing extremists and radicals?

Each one of us thinks differently.  We have a choice to ‘stay away from each other’ and let the ill-will, suspicion and doubts simmer to become unmanageable.  I hope if you take the time to ‘study’ the three videos and the notes below, you will change your mind about using the phrases like “right wing” “Red necks” and other epithets.  These are bad choice of words to describe fellow humans who react differently to situations.

Last week, I posted this video from a Fox News debate with Sean Hannity and Brigitte Gabriele on face book in two different places, and got shot down by my friends saying it is a waste of time to deal with the hard wired, without realizing they were as prejudiced as the ones they were accusing of.

All the three videos and anecdotes at: http://centerforpluralism.com/talking-with-right-wingers-and-radicals/
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Monthly Seminar: Understanding the essence of religion. This month: Understanding Hinduism

13 Religions in 13 Months – This month
Understanding Hinduism  on 3/7/17 between 1:00 and 3:30 PM
details: http://centerforpluralism.com/hinduism-understanding-the-essence-of-hinduism/

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Center for Pluralism is committed to build a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

President Trump, please speak out against Anti-Semitism

SHORTEST LETTER TO PRESIDENT TRUMP
Tuesday, February 21, 2017 | to be hand delivered on Friday

Dear Mr. President,

We the people of many faiths and no faith, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Bahai’s, Jains, Native Americans, pagans and fellow Americans are asking you to consider the following or something like it in your next speech.

“Fellow Americans, you chose me to be your President, and now help me do the right thing. Listen carefully, stop those ‘few’ guys who are a threat to fellow Americans, particularly the bomb threats against the Jewish Community Centers which is not acceptable. We will hunt them down and punish them accordingly.

Stop the radicals from harassing the Jews, Muslims, Immigrants, African Americans or any one for that matter, the actions of those few are a bad reflection on my administration. I will not tolerate any one messing with fellow Americans under my Presidency, neither should you? Stop them now.

I want an America where no one has to live in apprehension or fear of the other.”

Standing up for Jews : http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/02/standing-up-with-jews.html

Mike Ghouse
Center for Pluralism
Mike@Centerforpluralism.com
(214) 325-1916

Symposium: Do American Muslims want Sharia?

Do American Muslims want Sharia?

We owe it to fellow Americans to clarify the myths about Sharia, and propose fixing this problem through a conference with the Islamic scholars and those who are opposed to Sharia to make the event credible.

Let's "clear the air" of misunderstandings for all Americans. We need to put this fear behind and move on with our lives and bring peace and prosperity to fellow Americans.

• Event: Do American Muslims Want Sharia?
• Date: May 2017
• Time: 2:00 - 4:30 PM
• Venue: TBD
• Who: Americans in Public service, Media and the Movers and Shakers
• Presenters: Sharia Opposers and Muslim Scholars
• Observers: Academics
• Organized by: The Center for Pluralism & World Muslim Congress
• Sponsoring Organizations: To be added.

Purpose: Is to demystify Sharia. There is a fear of Sharia among fellow Americans who are not Muslims, and there are Muslims who do not see any harm in personal Sharia while no Muslim Organization has sought to bring Public Sharia to America.  The program hopes to bring clarity to Americans including American Muslims that;

• There is a public Sharia and Personal Sharia - Link
• Muslims are committed to the American laws
• No American Muslim organization has asked to bring Public Sharia to America
• A Muslims may wish it but the majority of Muslims will oppose public sharia.
• Sharia is a human effort to serve justice and needs major amendments - Link

At the Center for Pluralism our goal is to build a cohesive America where no American has to live in apprehension, tension or fear the other. www.CenterforPluralism.com

The World Muslim Congress is a think tank. It is about Muslims and their civic responsibilities in creating a dignified religious, social and civic space for themselves in the community of faiths. We do not distinguish between a Sunni, Shia, Ahmadiyya, WD Muhammad, Ismaili, Bohra or the subsets of each group, all believe in God, the Prophet and the accountability of their actions and whoever calls himself or herself a Muslim is a Muslim. This is our world and our God collectively.

The Center for Pluralism is an initiative of American Muslims, but it is not a Muslim organization. However, it is committed to pave the way for Muslims to become a part of the American story just as it is committed to do the same for others religious groups. What does it take for Muslims to be a part of the society?  

We invite volunteers and sponsors for this program.

Mike GhouseMike@Centerforpluralism.com
(214) 325-1916

A Muslim Challenges & The Pastor Backs Off

Click the link for full story - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/a-muslim-challenges-the-pastor-backs-off_us_588a8d82e4b0020b224b434e

Muslims at Trump’s Inauguration and the conflicts within

ABC NEWS VIDEO CAPTURE

President Trump extending his hand towards Imam Magid at the National Cathedral

Click here for full story - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/muslims-at-trumps-inauguration_us_58858713e4b0111ea60b980a

Are Muslims a part of the American story?

   
Click here for Full Story http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/are-muslims-a-part-of-the-american-story_us_58818eb3e4b0d96b98c1da86

America Will Always Be A Great Nation

On Sunday, December 18, 2016; a model for a cohesive America was unveiled with a handful of volunteers at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC, the nation’s capitol. Eventually this model can become an anti-dote to prejudices against people of different faiths, races, cultures and ethnicities.

A few pictures from the event: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157674321116443/show

America is going through a major crisis at this point in history, and each one of the 325 million of us is stressed out. There is always the silver lining to such crises. Throughout our history, whenever we were pit one against the other; we chose to come together and found solutions to live with each other.

Right now, the White Americans are concerned about erosion of the values they hold dear with the influx of immigrants from different cultures, races and religions. They are worried about their place and role in the future of America. The African Americans are equally apprehensive with apathy of fellow Americans. Instead of understanding it as a movement to protest against the violation of their civil rights, the Black Lives Matter is attacked antagonizing the situation further. The undocumented aliens are worried about the possibility of their families being torn apart; they are concerned about doubling down of the wrong to correct the first wrong.

The woman’s right to decide about her body is under risk of being yanked out. The LGBT community is concerned with the State attempting to resurrect old disdainful attitudes towards fellow Americans. The rise of Anti-Semitism is deeply troubling and an increase of 9% in such hatred is severely affecting the fabric of our society. Muslims are worried sick about the dumb idea about Muslim registry, there again this year has recorded 67% surge in Islamophobia. It appears that no American is spared from bias from someone or the other.

Even the Native American’s inalienable right to water is jeopardized now. Dr. Harbans Lal of Arlington, Texas adds, “They were in a similar position as the White American now, when the migrants from Europe destroyed the Native American culture two centuries ago.”

We are a divided nation at this juncture, and we are committed to change it.

The divisiveness has caused us to lose trust in each other to function effectively as a nation. A nation’s strength to achieve peace, safety and sustain its prosperity hinges on two strong legs; the economic structure that puts food on the table of every American, and the social structure that maintains the cohesiveness of America.

Thanks to President Obama for leaving behind a strong economic structure, we have the lowest unemployment and highest degree of consumer confidence. However, the pre-election rhetoric has severely damaged the social structure of our nation. Whether you are on the right, left or the center, you are concerned about your liberties and freedoms, thus all Americans are living in anxieties.

Shall we wait for President Trump to put the derailed train back on the tracks? I would say, let the government stay out of our lives. If it cannot make our lives better, it should not mess it either. It is our responsibility to see that we get along with each other and preserve the social structure of America. Together we can bring stability in our lives.

Here is what we can to do to restore America where everyone feels included in the nation building. This is a pluralistic model of inclusiveness to restore faith in each other and rededicate our commitment to one America and one nation with liberty and justice for all.

We are Americans first with our own unique beliefs, cultures, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, languages, traditions and other uniquenesses. All we have to do is come together as Americans, recognize and validate each other’s life.

We came together; a handful of volunteers took the bold initiative to set the model for a cohesive America in the years to come. The event was inaugurated by Rabbi Jack Moline, one of the most influential rabbis in America. He has served in numerous leadership positions for Jewish, interfaith, and community organizations, and has advised key religious and political leaders of the United States on issues of religion and values.

Each one of the following American Faiths was celebrated and or mentioned including but not limited to Atheism, Bahá’í, Buddhism, Christianity, Dao, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Native Americans, Paganism, Scientology, Shinto, Sikhism, Tao, Unitarian, Wicca and Zoroastrian traditions.

When we live as neighbors, fellow workers, students, players, activists and inhabitants of the same city and same neighborhood, it behooves for us to learn about each other’s moments of celebrations and commemorations.

The more we know about the other, the less mythical they would become. Knowing in this instance implies knowing them personally and not hearing from those who have gains to be had by pitting one against the other or presenting false information about the other. One of the best ways to sustain America’s greatness is stick to our creed, “that all men are created equal” and that everyone’s right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness must be protected.

My safety and well being hinges on the safety and well being of others around me. It behooves for each one of us to work towards that goal, at the end every one of us would be better off.

Festival of Faiths was born out of a necessity. The apprehension that we see in each American about the other is not healthy for America’s harmony, peace and prosperity. As Americans, we are determined to go past the doom and gloom, and celebrate America.

American will always remain a great nation and a beacon of hope to the world; we are the lead civilization where we are working on respecting the otherness of others and accepting the God given uniqueness of each one of us.

God Bless America and you can count on this event next year. We would expect to gather hundreds of Americans of from different races, religions, ethnicities and political spectrums to come together and celebrate the Festival of Faiths and Celebrate America.

Mike Ghouse is a community consultant and is committed to building a cohesive America. He offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. All about him is captured in 65 links at www.MikeGhouse.net

Martin Luther King’s advice to American Muslims

Published at Huffington Post - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/martin-luther-kings-advice-to-american-muslims_us_5876c25ee4b0f8a7254484b9

Are American Muslims the only ones who are apprehensive at this time? The answer is an emphatic no! At this time every one of the 322 Million Americans is concerned about the immediate future of his or her space in America. How do we turn things around? However, the Americans who are most vulnerable at this time are Muslims and I wanted to find answers.

As a passionate practitioner of Pluralism, I was seeking guidance from an individual who is my mentor along with Prophet Muhammad, Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Pope Francis and my own father. MLK was within my reach; I could stand with him and reflect for answers.

So I walked up to the Tidal basin in Washington DC to meditate in presence of Martin Luther king Jr., the weather was cold, but the presence of MLK was heartwarming! I have been here many times, including October 16, 2011 when the memorial was unveiled by President Obama. Crowds of people were visiting, but I was in my own world seeking guidance.

America would not have been the great nation it has become, had it not been for the efforts of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., I was admiring them. Today, I can proudly say, America is God’s own country where you can find people of every race, nationality, ethnicity, language, culture and religion. We see God as one, none and many and in every form; male, female, genderless and non-existent, being and non-being, nameless and with innumerable names. America is a representation of all of God’s creation, there is nothing like this.

None of the immigrants would have come to the United States and made this nation great, if they had to sit in the back of the bus, drink water from a different fountain and live a dehumanized humiliated life. Thanks to the majority of the White Americans and MLK for being the catalyst for making America a great nation! I am here today, because of their vision and the civil rights act. Thank you Dr. King. I thank you every year for making America a great nation.

My cell phone Alarm got me out of my meditative trance, and I decided to walk and read the stone carving across me. It read, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

I screamed - Eureka!

DARKNESS CANNOT DRIVE OUT DARKNESS

Everyone turned around and looked at me as if I was nuts. Without batting an eyelid, I pointed towards the engraving, this was the advice MLK gave to deal with intense conflicts, a few simply nodded affirmatively and few walked away. I felt in my guts he was talking to me the American Muslim. I recall my dream from early 2000 when Mahatma Gandhi patted on my back and said, “Son you have work to do.” This was exciting to me and this is my calling. I knew no problem is insurmountable and I wanted to talk to my fellow Americans, particularly Muslims.

We have built this great nation in the last 240 years and if you have the desire to move from darkness into light you can do it. My inner voice said, “Mike, the time is now, go out and make the effort and have patience, as Lord Krishna had advised Arjuna in the Hindu Epic of Mahabharata to do his duty and leave the results to the creator.

Humanity survives on hope.

The voice said, you can contribute to the hopes of American Muslims, and secure their future, thus build a cohesive America where each one of the 322 Million Americans can live with hope and sense of security. The gloom and doom has got to be driven out. Darkness cannot drive darkness out, only the light can do it. The intellect in me argued –Would Muslims listen to you? Then I remembered the story my mother told me, “Once Prophet Muhammad expressed his frustration to God that people were not listening to him, what he should do? God shot back, “Muhammad do your duty and it is up to me to guide people to accept your message or not” Ha! What a relief it was.

So here is my Message to American Muslims

This is the year of great American Integration. Muslims have to be contributors to the goodness of America despite getting the short end of the stick.

Our approach ought to be conflict mitigation and goodwill nurturence and not confrontation; this was Prophet Muhammad’s approach in dealings with conflicts. Confrontation causes both sides to dig in their heels and keep them on pins and needles, where as discussions and dialogue, however frustrating they might be opens up new vistas of cooperation. That is what Pluralism is all about; respecting the otherness of others. There is a whole chapter in Quran on that.

Whether the issue is Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, LGBT, Race or the other, they are American issues that affect us all, and together as Americans, we will find pluralistic solutions to issues of the day that we all can live with. Injustice is the biggest destroyer of tranquil societies.

My safety hinges on the safety of people around me, so it is in my best interests to work for the safety and goodness of fellow Americans.

Many a Muslim ‘leaders’ are conformist chickens and run like hell if anyone makes even the slightest of noise. They are afraid and cannot cope with dissent and disagreement. They just don’t have the courage to take the stand for doing the right thing. Leadership is having the vision to foresee the problems and cobbling reluctant people and opposing views together through agonizing discussions and move towards maintaining the dynamic equilibrium of the societies. It takes guts and we hope to train enough Muslim leaders to take those steps.

Democracy has not seeped into many a Muslim organizations. The controlling men are afraid of discussions and willingly kill good ideas and rot in mediocrity. We need to remember that sustainable decisions are made after due discussions.

Thanks to our Imams, they are a blessing and play a key role in reshaping Muslim relationships with fellow Americans. In the past, we have asked the Imams, and they have come through it, we asked them to pray for the release of Yazidi women, persecuted Christians or harassed Shia, or call on them to urge Muslims to honor our Veterans on the Veterans Day, they have done it all. Fellow Americans need to know this, and we are going to do a lot more now.

Between the Imams, Muslim Scholars and us, we will test each other in stretching beyond our sketchy religious boundaries created in middle ages, but will unequivocally stick together and remain within the Pluralistic traditions of Islam.

We need to reach out and talk with those who are polarized and those who are not friendly. We have had great success with people who were written off by fellow Muslims as right wingers as if we are the bloody wrong wingers. We will continue to work with them and endure the humility if necessary for achieving greater good for them, for us, and for all of us.

It is time for Muslims to take the steps necessary to allay the fears of fellow Americans and undo the tensions, remove the suspicions and restore trust among Americans. This is what a Muslim ought to be; a conflict mitigater and a goodwill nurturer.

What is good for Muslims has got to be good for others and vice-versa for the goodness to be sustainable. There is a shortage of visionaries among Muslim or they have simply given up, if you are the one, time is now to pick up the ball and run.

We are planning to hold two major conferences and a whole bunch of activities listed at the Center for Pluralism and World Muslim Congress for the purpose of rebuilding trust with fellow Americans.

Do American Muslims want Sharia?

We owe it to fellow Americans to clarify the myths about Sharia, and propose fixing this problem through a conference that is being planned with Islamic scholars and those who are opposed to Sharia to make the event credible. Let’s “clear the air” of misunderstandings for all Americans. We need to put this fear behind and move on with our lives.

Does Quran Promote Violence?

This is not only for concerned Americans, but for Muslims as well. It is a book of guidance for the whole of humanity to build orderly societies. The Quran is about building cohesive societies and not exclusive societies. The Quran is not about governing other people but living in harmony with all of God’s creation. In effect Quran tells you to mind your own business and let others mind theirs.

If you are a “doubting Muslim” about Quran, this seminar is for you. Many a Muslims seem to be faith deficient. Shamefully a few Muslim scholars have deliberately misinterpreted 60 verses to make Allah un-friendly towards Jews and Christians. This needs to be fixed. Here is an article at Dallas Morning News.

America is a great nation and we have to do everything to keep it that way by including and assuring fellow Americans who are disaffected that they need not worry; their culture and their way of life will not change due to immigrants or Muslims. We are all better off in making sure America remains America. You are who you are and I am who I am; let’s learn to live with each other by respecting the otherness of others and accepting the God given uniqueness of each one of us. We love this country and we will fight to keep it that way.

Dr. Mike Ghouse – all about him in 65 links at www.MikeGhouse.net

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