Ramadan Dilemma

IS IT HAPPY RAMADAN? SEASON'S GOOD, BAD AND UGLY

www.TheGhouseDiary.com

Many of us have been debating and will continue to debate about our traditional greetings of Happy Ramadan and Ramadan Mubarak to each other. It is not a happy Ramadan to many and it is time for all of us to ponder. 

The deaths of innocent civilians in Gaza, passengers from the two plane crashes, Christians in Islamic State, Iraq and Syria, and Muslim, Sikh and other deaths across the world and deaths of military men on both sides of the conflicts must all be mourned.  

www.RamadanNews.com

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) always chose the most peaceful way to find solutions; he was the ultimate peace maker and a mercy to mankind, and we should not let that go of us, we need to be the peace makers and mercy to fellow beings.

My thoughts here are influenced by seeing the entire humanity as one. Indeed, our belief is based on God to be God of the Universe, and Prophet to be mercy to entire mankind and us to be peacemakers for the entire Aalameen, whole humanity, thus the phrases; Rabbul Aalameen, Rahmatul Aalameen and Mukhlooqul Aalameen.

Not only Muslims, but Jews, Christians, Hindus, Atheists and others are equally concerned about the deaths of innocent civilians and it would be wrong to discount their goodwill at this time, let our words mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill, a formula of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

Good calls

Most Muslims have followed Prophet’s guidance in speaking out when there is injustice, and we have done that in different formats.

The Jews, Hindus, Christians, Atheists and all others have joined in the demonstrations throughout the world to protest Israel’s aggressive campaign that has killed over 700 civilians mostly innocent children. 

No violence has been reported in the demonstrations, and we need to thank God for that. Animals don’t know how to express their anger and resort to fighting and killing each other, humans were gifted with a tongue to dialogue, and dialogue we must. We need to remind ourselves, we are humans.

Please remember we are all in this together, and we must we continue to restrain ourselves from developing prejudice, hate or anger towards any group of people – be it Jewish, Muslim or the other.  Prejudice eventually will take down every one.

Bad calls

6 out of 190 nations are justifying excessive Israeli aggressions, indeed this has been the case for nearly six decades.  This is sheer stupidity, their support is supposed to protect Israel, but will actually harm Israel’s long term security. There is a sense of anger for the injustice towards Palestinians from over 90% of the world citizenry; their helplessness and frustrations are translating into anti-Jewish sentiments and thus resentment towards United States, the feeling is they are getting away with murders and injustice.    It is like the world v USA-Israel-Canada combine.  The ugliness of Anti-Semitism is on increase, and for this no one but the leadership of Israel and the United States is responsible, we cannot let Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, misogyny, homophobia and other evils of society to flourish. It’s time to think and time to speak out against our elected representatives in the United States.

Al-Baghdadi, the rogue and the thief has gone on a killing spree and terrorizing Christians to convert or pay Jiziyah in his new Islamic State.  This is not Islam and we condemn this strongly, Islam is about freedom and not oppression. This ugly man is maligning the name of Islam further, and if we cannot capture and imprison this man, he will mess up a whole lot more, and Muslims will come to regret it. 

A few ugly Rabbis’ and the Ministers in Israel are calling for annihilation of Palestinian children and mothers who give birth to children quoting from their holy books. Indeed they are a match for some of the Imams who are misinterpreting Quran not to trust Jews. Damn them, they are wrong. God is not unjust, God is not discriminatory, and God cannot wrong his own creation and God cannot play favorites.  Together, they are fueling the fire of hatred.  This needs to stop.  For every Muslim ass, there is a Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist and other ass. All it takes is for us to speak out.

Ugly calls

A few Jews, Christians and Hindus are justifying the Israeli massacres, while a few Muslims have not blamed Hamas for firing the rockets into Israel. This is a shameful behavior, none of us should rejoice death and destruction, or justify the killings. 

The day we mourn for our own and not others marks the disgusting selfishness in us, and the day we mourn for the deaths of all people, we are entering the zone of civil societies. Unless we stand for the rights of others, why should anyone stand up for us?

Ramadan celebrations
 
I am not sure if we can can be genuinely happy when there is oppression, mass killings and murders of Muslims, Christians, Jews and others is going on.  We must, however,  thank God for the blessed month, and pray for the well being of all humanity in our congregational and individual prayers. Let our kids know that life goes on, celebration and commemoration is all part of the life. God reminds us, and which one of the favors do you deny? 

Ramadan celebrations are scheduled for Monday, July 28, and some will be celebrating on Monday, and some may have already done today. I am finding it difficult to say Ramadan Mubarak. 

May God help us remove any ill-will or malice towards fellow beings, and fill us with abilities to find peaceful solutions to the complicated issues, may this Ramadan bring blessings of goodwill, at least in our individual hearts. Amen!

May God guide Netanyahu, AlBaghdadi, Asad and other tyrants, and may God give guidance to our senators and congresspersons to give common sense to be just.

May God help us guard ourselves from from being prejudiced towards groups, faiths, tribes or nations. Yes, we can hold individuals responsible for their crimes, but not their nations or faiths, residents of such nations and followers of such faiths. 

May Ramadan's blessing shower the entire humanity, may all of us understand the dividends of peace, and realize the secure feeling when we work for cohesive societies where none of us have to live in fear of the other. Amen!

Reading suggestions:

 Pluralistic Message of Ramadan
http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/2014/06/ramadans-pluralism-message-intrafaith.html

Sanity prayers for Jews and Muslims
http://israel-palestine-dialogue.blogspot.com/2014/07/sanity-prayers-for-american-jews-and.html

American Muslim Agenda
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/american-muslim-agenda-a-_b_5528706.html  

Spirit of Ramadan
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/spirit-of-ramadan_b_939961.html

Thank you

  
Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
............................................................................................................................... 
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam,Israel, India, interfaith, cohesive work place. He is committed to building aCohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day atwww.TheGhousediary.com. Mike believes in Standing up for others and a book with the same title is coming up, and the process of making the film "Flames of Passion" has begun. 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, contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington post; regularly at Oped News and several other periodicals across the world. His personal sitewww.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work through many links.

ONE RAMADAN, many celebrations, Islamic pluralism in action

This article at Huffington post is about how Muslims deal with diversity and differences. America's spirit of freedom touches every soul, no matter what religion or tradition they follow.

The essence of Ramadan is to become humble, simple and free from ill-will, anger, meanness and hate. Let's fill our hearts with goodwill and honor Ramadan by saying "Eid Mubarak" or Happy Eid to everyone who celebrates on a different day in the same town. The essence of Ramadan is joy and let's not prick any one's bubble; God has not signed a pact with any one behind others back, let's rejoice the differences of interpretations. If you want to celebrate every day, go ahead and do it. Eid is not getting hung up but rejoicing with friends and families.

Please share if you like it, and at the link in Huffington Post you can click Like, share on facebook,  twitter or with your groups.  

 

Full article at:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/one-ramadan-many-celebrat_b_3710856.html

 

Eid Mubarak!.
 

 

Eid Mubarak, Eid-al-Adha2012 - the festival of sacrifices

URL- http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/10/eid-mubarak-eid-al-adha2012-festival-of.html

Eid-al-Adha is also known as Bakrid,and it coincides with the Muslim piligrimmage called Hajj.  To greet Muslims on this day you may say “Happy Eid” or “Eid Mubarak” or "Eid Greetings" -  meaning happy festivities. 



We appreciate your sacrifices and
salute you on this festival of sacrifices

On the occasion of this Eid, I urge fellow Muslims to stop and salute every one of the fire fighters, police and our armed forces to honor them for their sacrifices and their love for the humanity. Let them know that as a Muslim you appreciate their sacrifice, and this festival is about appreciation for such sacrifices.

Please note that, I have been blessed to write about the essence of every festival from a universal perspective, so that you can relate with it, regardless of your faith. Indeed, I have written about every faith from Bahai to Zoroastrian and every one in between, so that we understand each other, rather than build myths about the others.

 

THE ESSENCE OF EID AL ADHA

At the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, known as Hajj, Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid-al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). During the Hajj, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of Prophet Abraham.

 

The Qur'an describes Abraham as follows: An-Nahl (The Bee) 16:120 – “VERILY, Abraham was a man who combined within himself all virtues, devoutly obeying God's will, turning away from all that is false, and not being of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God:”

Although the Hindu Vedas have proclaimed God, the ultimate creator, the cause behind creation has come to be known as God. Whether it is evolution, big bang or creation, a singular cause rolled out what we see today.

However, Abraham is ascribed as the one who marketed the idea of one God; it is a unifying idea that we are part of the large family. Hinduism calls it Vasudaiva Kutumubukum – the whole world is one family, Qur’aan describes that we all originated from the same couple (Darwin = source) and were made into different races, nations and communities so that we know each other and re-create that harmony, one of the Christian tradition calls it as reconnecting with the creators lineage. The Wicca traditions sum it up, from the mother earth we come and to the mother we go. The Baha’i faith has done an outstanding job in describing the oneness of the creator.

 

We are all a product of a singular cause, from one singular source of creation, and that we are an integral part of the great harmony and balance with which this planet operates, when the harmony is lost, we have to rebuild it for the long term good of all its parts like the Native Americans suggest, if it befalls on one strand, it affects the entire web. Look what the swine flu or the chicken whatever does… it engulfs the whole world

Love and Sacrifice

A parent would risk his or her life to protect the child. People in love have the passion to value their beloved's life and are willing to get the bullet and save the life, they are willing to rescue him/her from the freezing lake risking their own lives, even strangers do that. It is the willingness to put the life of the loved one’ above one’s own life. Every day our Police officers risk their own lives to protect ours, the firemen and women risk their lives to save a child, a pet or an aged person from a fire; and every day our soldiers put their lives at risk to save fellow soldiers and to save our freedom.

Abraham commitment

Those who are not familiar with the Abrahamic faith, may find this story difficult to consume, but if they can understand why one is willing to fight for the freedom and safety of the family or the nation, they will see the picture.

God wanted to test Abraham’s faith, love and devotion. One of Abraham's main trials was to face the command of God to kill his only son (at that moment, as he had one more after that). Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to God’s will, firmly believing that God means good at the end. When he was all prepared to do it, God revealed to him that his "sacrifice" had already been fulfilled. So Abraham sacrificed a lamb as a symbol, which is to be shared with those who do not have. He had shown that his love for his Lord superseded all others that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to submit to God.

Thus the tradition of symbolic sacrifice began, where one would sacrifice a lamb to continue the tradition of Abraham. During the celebration of Eid-al-Adha, Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham's trials, by sacrificing an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat. This action is very often misunderstood by those outside the faith.

Why sacrifice?

God does not need one to sacrifice; it has nothing to do with atoning sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin.

Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage) 22:37 [But bear in mind:] never does their flesh reach God, and neither their blood: it is only your God-consciousness that reaches Him. It is to this end that we have made them subservient to your needs, so that you might glorify God for all the guidance with which He has graced you. And give thou this glad tiding unto the doers of good:

The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow God's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from God, and we should open our hearts and share with others. The meat from the sacrifice of Eid-al-Adha is given away in three ways; self, relatives and the poor. It is a symbolic act in the western countries, but it becomes meaningful in those countries where people are under nourished and don’t get to eat the meat as we do.

The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the right Path. Each one of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A Muslim is one who submits him/herself completely to the Lord and is willing to follow God’s commands obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us.

God's ultimate will

God does not want anything more from us than asking us to be just and truthful. It brings tranquility and balance to an individual and what surrounds him; life and environment. The creator would be pleased when his creation is nurtured, cared for and sustained. Indeed, to be religious is to be a peacemaker, one who seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for peaceful co-existence.

The Rituals

Eid-al-Adha is one of two major Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims, whose basis comes from the Qur'aan. Eid-al-Adha begins with a short prayer followed by a sermon (khuṭba).

Eid-al-Adha falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja (ذو الحجة) of the lunar Islamic calendar. The festivities last for two to three days or more depending on the country. Eid-al-Adha occurs the day after the pilgrims conducting Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide, descend from Mount Arafat. It happens to be approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan.

Men, women, and children are expected to dress in their finest clothing to perform Eid prayer (Salatu'l-`id) in any mosque. The regular charitable practices of the Muslim community are demonstrated during Eid-al-Adha by the concerted effort to see that no impoverished person is left without sacrificial food during these days. Eid-al-Adha is a concrete affirmation of what the Muslim community ethic means in practice. People in these days are expected to visit their relatives, starting with their parents, then their families and friends.

I am familiar with the practices in the Indian Subcontinent, where the individuals visit the local cemetery to pray for the loved ones, almost like the Memorial Day. In fact the formal prayer which most Muslims recite asks God to forgive parents, teachers, those living and those that are dead and everyone else. It is a sense of purification one goes through. God in the Qur’aan says the one who forgives is dearest to him.

When it comes to food, I can share the practice of my family; the whole family gets to eat the breakfast together, usually the Flat bread (Paratha, Naan or Roti) with Meat balls (Kofta Curry). Then they would join the procession to a place outside the town where they go and pray as a large congregation, usually it is the cemetery grounds. Then everyone comes back home, and enjoys the Biryani (Indian version of fried rice) and Shami kabob. Then visiting as many friends as they can is part of the culture, have a bite to eat while meeting them and greeting them with hugs.

I am pleased to invite you to join and experience these congregational prayers at Mosques and around the world with Muslims of different denominations.

Honoring Police, Firemen and soldiers



On the occasion of this Eid, I urge fellow Muslims to stop and salute every one of the fire fighters, police and our armed forces to honor them for their sacrifices and their love for the humanity. Better yet, call the Fire, Police, City and other places and let them know that as a Muslim you appreciate their sacrifice, and this festival is about appreciation for such sacrifices.

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

EID MUBARAK

AA;
Eid Mubarak

We are not a monolithic lot, we are different and we must learn to accept and respect every tradition without denigration - Eid is a joyous moment and not the time to criticize others for celebrating the Eid on a different day. I hope the article Politics of Ramadan is enlightening

I am blessed to have written nearly 40 articles on Ramadan and have visited mosque of just about every denomination of Muslims including the Beit al Muqadas and Al-Aqsa Mosques last year. Much earlier I have prayed at both Madinah and Makkah. It was a pleasure to do the Iftaar with Muslims from Ahmadiyya, Bohra, Ismaili, Sufi, Shia, Sunni, WD Muhammad and Muslims of every race, ethnicity and many cultures.
...........................

Spirit of Ramadan: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/spirit-of-ramadan_b_939961.html
............................

Politics of Ramadan: http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/2011/08/politics-of-ramadan-on-moon-sighting.html
............................

Rituals of Ramadan: http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/2010/09/traditions-of-ramadan.html
...........................

Insha Allah, next Ramadan, I will make a movie on our diversity and welcome ideas and facilitations from you. You can share your comment at the end of this article at: http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/2011/08/eid-mubarak.html

Jazak Allah Khair

Mike Ghouse
Muslims Togetherwww.IslamTogetherFoundation.com www.MikeGhouse.net

Israeli blunders

http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/02/israeli-blunders.html
What’s wrong with the Israeli politicians? Do they get it?

The Israeli leaders are jeopardizing the peace prospects, they are either dumb or they want to find an excuse to go to war again, like our right wingers in America, they are itching for wars and chaos. If they bring peace, they are not needed any more.

Pressuring the US to let Mubarak stay is down right stupid, it will antagonize the Egyptian Public that has not been anti-Israel so far. They should either shut up or welcome the people movement. The peace pact is between the people of Egypt and the people of Israel and not between Netanyahu and Mubarak, these dudes will be gone, but public policy sustains.

It is time for Israeli public to speak up, it is their future and their safety that is being put in harms way.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/20112101545960427.html

The right thing for Israel in the long haul is to nurture goodwill and support the people's movement rather than alienating them. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/02/obama-throws-me-off-compeletely.html

Why is Israel so blind? http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/02/201128131221271956.html

Mike Ghouse committed to building cohesive societies and offering pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.  http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Egypt: Making a Lemonade out of Lemon

Just finished the Radio show, it was a 15 minute segement with Hannity and Shoebet. You can find your radio station at  http://www.hannity.com/stations

For a change Hannity, Shoebet and I were on the same page with a few differences.

 I believe the US has taken the right approach in not alienating the Egyptian people while cautioning Mubarak to back off from violence and crushing the uprising.

The fear of the Brotherhood taking the situation in their stride is legitimate and it is critical that we (US) play it right. We need to take the initiative to allay the fears of people and remove the anti-US sentiment, and it will give us the room to shape democracy there. A democracy that is sustainable and good for the people of Egypt, Israel, US and others.
Obama understands that equity is sustainable than inequities we have been wrong many times, and I hope this time we will get it right and I trust Obama will do the right thing.

Israel has to play it right as well. The peace deal was with the people of Egypt and people of Israel and not with their governments – and Israel needs to make sure that it is with the people and not Mubarak. Mubarak will wither away and anything we (U.S.) can do to show support for the aspiration of people will do two things: firm up the people to people peace agreement and prevent the opportunity for brotherhood to take advantage of this.

CIA has goofed up on Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and else where. Why could they not foresee the uprising? We blew it with Iran by sticking with the Shah and I am Glad Clinton and Obama are clear on being with the people.

We really can make lemonade out of lemon in this situation.

I will upload the link to the radio show later on this week
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYHm2fafBu0

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on Pluralism and Islam. He is with the newly formed America Together Foundation, building cohesive societies and offering pluralistic solutions to the media and the public. His work is expressed in 3 website's and 21 blogs listed at www.MikeGhouse.net  

Eid Mubarak and Essence of Eid Al Adha

Eid-al-Adha is also known as Hajj or Bakrid (variations listed below) if you wish to greet Muslims on this day you may say “Happy Eid” or “Eid Mubarak”.  At the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, known as Hajj, Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid-al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice).  During the Hajj, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of Prophet Abraham. The Qur'an describes Abraham as follows:

An-Nahl (The Bee) 16:120 – “VERILY, Abraham was a man who combined within himself all virtues, devoutly obeying God's will, turning away from all that is false, and not being of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God:”

Love and Sacrifice
A parent would risk his or her life to protect the child.  People in love have the passion to value their beloved's life and are willing to get the bullet and save the life, they are willing to rescue him/her from the freezing lake risking their own lives, even strangers do that. It is the willingness to put the life of the loved one’ above one’s own life. Every day our Police officers risk their own lives to protect ours, the firemen and women risk their lives to save a child, a pet or an aged person from a fire; and every day our soldiers put their lives at risk to save fellow soldiers and to save our freedom.

Honoring Police, Firemen and soldiers
I urge fellow Muslims and all others to stop and salute every one of these men and women, honoring them for their sacrifices and their love for the humanity. Better yet, call the Fire, Police, City and other places and let them know that as a Muslim you appreciate their sacrifice, and this festival is also about appreciation for such sacrifices.

Abrahams commitment
Love is sacrifice. God wanted to test Abraham’s faith, love and devotion. One of Abraham's main trials was to face the command of God to kill his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to God’s will, firmly believing that God means good at the end. When he was all prepared to do it, God revealed to him that his "sacrifice" had already been fulfilled. He had shown that his love for his Lord superseded all others that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to submit to God.

Thus the tradition of symbolic sacrifice began, where one would sacrifice a lamb to continue the tradition of Abraham. During the celebration of Eid-al-Adha, Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham's trials, by sacrificing an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat. This action is very often misunderstood by those outside the faith.

Why sacrifice?
God does not need one to sacrifice; it has nothing to do with atoning sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin.
Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage) 22:37 [But bear in mind:] never does their flesh reach God, and neither their blood: it is only your God-consciousness that reaches Him. It is to this end that we have made them subservient to your needs, so that you might glorify God for all the guidance with which He has graced you. And give thou this glad tiding unto the doers of good:

The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow God's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from God, and we should open our hearts and share with others. The meat from the sacrifice of Eid-al-Adha is given away in three ways; self, relatives and the poor. It is a symbolic act in the western countries, but it becomes meaningful in those countries where people are under nourished and don’t get to eat the meat as we do.

The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the right Path. Each one of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A Muslim is one who submits him/herself completely to the Lord and is willing to follow God’s commands obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us.

God's ultimate will
God does not want anything more from us than asking us to be just and truthful.  It brings tranquility and balance to an individual and what surrounds him; life and environment. The creator would be pleased when his creation is nurtured, cared for and sustained. Indeed, to be religious is to be a peacemaker, one who seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for peaceful co-existence.

The Rituals
Eid-al-Adha is one of two major Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims, whose basis comes from the Qur'aan. Eid-al-Adha begins with a short prayer followed by a sermon (khuṭba).

Eid-al-Adha falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja (ذو الحجة) of the lunar Islamic calendar. The festivities last for two to three days or more depending on the country. Eid-al-Adha occurs the day after the pilgrims conducting Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide, descend from Mount Arafat. It happens to be approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan.

Men, women, and children are expected to dress in their finest clothing to perform Eid prayer (Salatu'l-`id) in any mosque. The regular charitable practices of the Muslim community are demonstrated during Eid-al-Adha by the concerted effort to see that no impoverished person is left without sacrificial food during these days. Eid-al-Adha is a concrete affirmation of what the Muslim community ethic means in practice. People in these days are expected to visit their relatives, starting with their parents, then their families and friends.

I am familiar with the practices in the Indian Subcontinent, where the individuals visit the local cemetery to pray for the loved ones, almost like the Memorial Day. In fact the formal prayer which most Muslims recite, asks God to forgive parents, teachers, those living and those that are dead and every one else. It is a sense of purification one goes through. God in the Qur’aan says the one who forgives is dearest to him.

I request Muslims from around the world to write if this is a practice in their culture as well in the comments section below.

When it comes to food, I can share the practice of my family; The whole family gets to eat the breakfast together, usually the Flat bread (Paratha, Naan or Roti) with Meat balls (Kofta Curry). Then they would join the procession to a place outside the town where they go and pray as a large congregation, usually it is the cemetery grounds. Then everyone comes back home, and enjoys the Biryani (Indian version of fried rice) and Shami kabob. Then visiting as many friends as they can is part of the culture, have a bite to eat while meeting them and greeting them with hugs.

I am pleased to invite you to join and experience these congregational prayers at Mosques and Cemeteries around the world with Muslims of different denominations.

I wish a happy Eid to my wife Yasmeen who is celebrating Eid in Atlanta with her brother and sisters family.  I am blessed to be with my brothers and sister, nieces and nephews, uncles and cousins and friends here in my home town Yelahanka. I will be going to the Yelahanka Mosque for the Eid prayers.

I congratulate my younger brother Mohamed Farooq and his family who are performing Hajj this year.
Eid Mubarak to all, and Hajj Mubarak to those who are blessed to perform.

Mike Ghouse is a speaker on Pluralism and Islam offering pluralistic solutions to the media and public on issues of the day. His blogs and sites are listed at www.MikeGhouse.net

Essence of Eid-al-Adha -

Eid Mubarak - happy eid-al-adha

Friday, November 27, 2009

I wish a very Happy Eid-al-Adha, also known as Bakhra-Eid
A Muslim festival; it is about the spiritual values, sacrifices and sharing one must make to make the world a better place.

Eid Mubarak

Yasmeen & Mike Ghouse
~~~