Quran burning pastor Terry Jones countered with Unity Day in Mulberry, Florida

10th Annual Unity Day USA – reflections on 9/11 tragedy and response to Quran Burning by Pastor Terry Jones at Mulberry Civic Center, Florida. 

You are cordially invited to be a part of a purposeful event, and join fellow Americans of different faiths, ethnicities and races to reflect on the anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. On this day, we will reaffirm our pledge to one nation under God with liberty and Justice for all. We will pray for peace, prosperity and security of our nation.

Event: 10th Annual Unity Day USA
Time: 8:46 AM – 10:46 AM
Date: September 11, 2013
Place: Mulberry Civic Center,
Address: 901 NE 5th St, Mulberry, FL 33860
RSVP- ConfirmAttendance@gmail.com
Full Details: www.UnityDayUSA.com
and at: www.WorldMuslimCongress.com 


Together as Americans we gather to:

- Express our gratitude to our Firemen, Police, defense, FBI and our civic leaders;
- Honor individuals who have contributed to the well being of Polk County;
- Appreciate the God given diversity of our nation; we are God’s own country;
- Rededicate our pledge to the peace, prosperity and security of America;
- A message to Muslims that we respect the Qur'an and our freedom of speech   

Please join us with your family and friends. Your presence is a valuable expression of unity. Along with our elected officials, civic, religious and business leaders, you help will fulfill our common values and aspirations. Your presence fortifies our commitment to a cohesive America, where no American has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of fellow Americans. It is an enriching positive experience you will fall in love with.

Last year the event focused on the positive response of Sikh community to the Wisconsin Shooting,  and this year we will focus on the positive prayerful response of Muslim community to the planned Qur'an Burning by Pastor Terry Jones in Mulberry, Florida. We honor the freedom of speech of every American.

Earlier Press Releases: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/08/planned-muslim-response-to-quran_18.html

Video Message to Pastor Jones and Muslims across the world - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsQq-tbJ89k&feature=youtu.be 

What will Americans and American Muslims will do on that day?
Visit www.UnityDayUSA.com 
More Details at: www.WorldMuslimCongress.com 

# # #

Contact: 

            Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916 – MikeGhouse@aol.com 
            Suzanne Carter-Moore (727) 479-5041- NotinMulberry@gmail.com 
            Butch Rahman (863) 585-6379 – ButchRahman@me.com

What will Muslims do on Quran Burning Day?

A PURPOSEFUL EVENT : 10TH ANNUAL UNITY DAY USA

It is a purposeful event to bring Americans of different faiths, races, ethnicities and other uniqueness together to rededicate ourselves to our pledge; One nation under God with liberty and Justice for all. We will pray for peace, prosperity and security of our nation.

Last year the event focused on the positive response of Sikh community to the Wisconsin Shooting and this year, we will focus on the positive prayerful response of Muslim community to the planned Quran Burning by Pastor Terry Jones in Mulberry, Florida.

Event: 10th Annual Unity Day USA
Time: 8:46 AM
Date: September 11, 2013
Place: Mulberry Civic Center,
901 NE 5th St  Mulberry, FL 33860
http://www.cityofmulberryfl.com
RSVP- ConfirmAttendance@gmail.com Contact information - at the bottom

Press Conference: 8:00 AM

 PICTURES  INDICATE HOW IT WILL BE DONE IN MULBERRY, AS HAS BEEN DONE

PICTURES FROM UNITY DAY IN DALLAS

The 10th Annual event is moved to Mulberry, Florida - for a singular purpose - to mitigate possible apprehensions generated by the planned burning of 2998 copies of Quran on September 11, 2013. We hope the event restores our faith in the cohesiveness of America, and we the people will go on about our business of living our daily lives.

We honor the free speech guaranteed in our constitution, and have no intentions to criticize, condemn or oppose Pastor Terry Jones freedom of expression.  Instead, we will be donating blood and praying for goodness to prevail for the common good of the world.

We hope, our mercy based message will remind those few Muslims elsewhere in the world that violence is not the way. We believe it may bring a change in the attitudes of followers of Pastor Jones, and in the behavior of those Muslims who reacted violently the last time Pastor sought notoriety.

The full press release: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/08/planned-muslim-response-to-quran_18.html

WE WILL GATHER;
    to be together as Americans
    to express our gratitude to our men and women in uniform
    to honor individuals who have contributed to the well being of Mulberry, Florida
    to emphasize and appreciate diversity represented by America.
    to cherish the otherness of others.
    to commit to be good neighbors
    to rededicate our pledge to the peace, prosperity and security of America

Please join us with your family and friends to be together as Americans. Your presence is a valuable expression of unity. Along with our elected officials, civic, religious and business leaders, you help fulfill our common values and aspirations. Your presence fortifies our commitment to a pluralistic America.

As Americans, and as American of all hues, we uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our constitution. All our faiths reinforce the creed of "One Nation under God, with liberty and justice for all”.

On this Unity Day USA, we, the people of the United States of America of every faith, race and ethnicity, will gather to express our commitment to co-existence, safety, prosperity and the well being of our nation.

PROGRAM OUTLINE Event: 10th Annual Unity Day USA
Time: 8:46 AM

Date: September 11, 2013
Place: Mulberry Civic Center, 901 NE 5th St  Mulberry, FL 33860

FLAG CEREMONY

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM
(Preferably joined in by members of at least 7 faith traditions, if not all)

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
To be led by the Hon. Mayor George Hatch of Mulberry

   
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Acknowledgement of dignitaries- Suzanne

Thanking key volunteers - Curtis 

Thanking the Media- Butch

Appreciating the sponsors - Lynn 

PURPOSE 

Purpose - a new positive approach to conflict mitigation and rededicating to our pledge – one nation under God with Liberty and Justice for all- Mike

Blood donation – Dr. Bajwa (3 Minutes) about the nationwide blood drive 

GREETINGS 

Greetings from several religious traditions a few Video Samples;  City of Carrollton-II - City of Carrollton – Chicago Bible College


CIVIC LEADERSHIP
Mayors, Police and Fire chiefs, and Civic Leaders to share 3 minutes each – about their responsibility in treating each citizen with respect and dignity

HONORING THE ACTIVISTS
Those who have stood up for others

SPIRITUAL LEADERS

All-inclusive spiritual leaders will be on stage representing each tradition, and lighting a candle of the next, a symbolic gesture to be the light to others. Every available religious American representation in Polk County will be accommodated. This is not about sermons but about being together as Americans. Please beware, it is about Americans and included in the group will be Atheists, Pagans and other non-religious traditions.

PEACE PLEDGE

• I will I will speak up when there is injustice.
• I will speak up when truth is not spoken.
• I will make my words and my actions mitigate conflicts.
• I will do my share in nurturing goodwill for the benefit of all.
• I will do my share of peace work, without looking for others 
• I will do respect the God given uniqueness of each individual.
• I will do my best to live and let others live their way.
• I will do my best to nurture goodwill in everything I do.
  

 
SPECIAL MUSLIM PRAYER

( 3-4 Minutes)Muslim prayers and supplication for the safety and security and unity of our nation. Pray for the well being of all Americans, and seek forgiveness for all of us, and may God guide  Reverend Terry Jones to become a be blessed peace maker. Pray for the goodwill of the people of Polk county and Mulberry City, and pray for a cohesive America, where no American needs to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear or fellow Americans.

CONCLUSION REMARKS

Mayor Hatch and one of the top officials will make the remarks.

BLOOD DONATION

FUNDING FOR THE EVENT

Please donate to defray the costs. All donors over $100 will be listed on this site. If one or two individuals want to sponsor, we would really welcome it. It will save us time.  Donate at http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/ 

 VIDEO MESSAGE TO MUSLIMS AND PASTOR JONES

A VIDEO MESSAGE TO MUSLIMS AND PASTOR JONES
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsQq-tbJ89k&feature=youtu.be

 

1. PLANNED MUSLIM RESPONSE TO PASTOR JONES QUR'AN BURNING URL- http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/08/planned-muslim-response-to-quran_18.html

4. A PROPER RESPONSE TO INFLAMMATORY ACT - SAUDI GAZETTE
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20130821177617

5. FOR MUSLIMS IN AMERICA, A NOVEL PROTEST - TIMES OF INDIA
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/From-Muslims-in-America-a-novel-protest-against-quran-burning/articleshow/21982162.cms

6. TAMPA BAY FOX NEWShttp://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/23233567/2013/08/22/pastor-wants-to-burn-3000-korans-in-mulberry

9. MUSLIMS PROTESTS - MULBERRY LEDGER
http://www.theledger.com/article/20130820/news/130829938

 A FEW CURRENT PICTURES:

 

MULBERRY MAYOR HON. GEORGE HATCH

LAKELAND MAYOR HON. GOW B. FIELDS

THE MULBERRY UNITY DAY TEAM - MIKE, CURTIS, SUZANNE, LYNN
AND FRIEND SUSIE (NOT ON THE TEAM)

All the original pieces related to the Quran burning even are at www.WorldMuslimCongress.com 

HOW UNITY DAY WAS BORN
http://911unitydayusa.blogspot.com/2011_12_01_archive.html

Unity day 2009

Unityday 2006

CONTACTS:

The Mulberry Unity Day USA Team

Suzanne Carter (727) 479-5041
Linda Jezard 
Curtis Rahman (863) 430-7553
Lynn Broom (863-662-8511


Thank you.
Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
email: SpeakerMikeGhouse@Gmail.com 

http://quranburningpastorterryjones.blogspot.com/
www.AmericaTogetherFoundation.com

www.FoundationforPluralism.com
www.WorldMuslimCongress.com
www.UnitydayUSA.com 

Pastor Looking for New Place to Burn Qurans Due to Flooding in Mulberry

Pastor Looking for New Place to Burn Qurans Due to Flooding in Mulberry

Pastor Terry Jones, Pastor of Dove World Outreach Center in Bradenton.

ERNST PETERS | THE LEDGER

By Suzie Schottelkotte
THE LEDGER

Published: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at 4:38 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at 9:40 p.m.

MULBERRY | Terry Jones is searching for a new place in Mulberry to burn 2,998 Qurans on Sept. 11 because his first site is under water.

Bill McKinney, the Mulberry resident who offered his home for the protest burning, said Tuesday the event won't take place in his yard because it's flooded.

Jones, a Florida pastor who's organizing the protest, said he remains committed to staging the event near Mulberry and is looking for another site.

"I'm not worried," he said Tuesday. "Something will come along."

Tuesday afternoon, Jones, and a friend and his daughter drove around Mulberry looking for possible sites, including the Carter Road Sports Complex on South Carter Road. He hasn't found one yet.

McKinney said he's disappointed he had to cancel two weeks before the protest, but he doesn't expect his 1-acre yard to dry out before then.

"This is an old cow pasture," he said, "and with all the rain, I've been under water for about a month. If it wasn't for my property being under water, this (event) would happen. I haven't changed my mind about that."

McKinney, 58, said the water is up to his 4-year-old grandson's knees.

McKinney, who lives off Shepherd Road, said he told Jones Tuesday he would have to find another venue. He said no one has pressured him into pulling out of the protest.

Despite plans by groups to challenge his protest, Jones said he won't be intimidated into leaving the Mulberry area.

"If we have to, we will fill up the back of a pickup truck with (Qurans) and set them on fire in front of City Hall," he said. "We are going to do what we're going to do. We will stay within the confines of the law, but we will push it as far as we can."

Jones said he plans to burn 2,998 Qurans in memory of each American lost in the terrorist attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. He staged a similar event in March 2011, burning a single Quran and sparking deadly violence in Afghanistan.

Jones said he didn't set out to stage this latest protest in Mulberry. He was searching for a location earlier this summer after selling the Dove World Outreach Center, his church in Gainesville, when McKinney stepped forward, saying he shares Jones' ideology.

"I really wanted to do this," McKinney said Tuesday. "We have got to stop the Islamification of America. They said they were going to take over America and we have to take them at their word."

McKinney, who said he's a faithful man but practices no specific religion, said he doesn't consider Islam a religion, but rather a geo-political system.

"If it's a religion, that gives it standing and protection under our Constitution," he said.

He said he'd been telling Jones for the last month that his yard might be too soggy for the event.

The call from McKinney on Tuesday sent Jones to Mulberry in search of a new location. He said his church has purchased land near Bradenton for a new worship center, and he could stage the Sept. 11 protest there, if need be.

"But we are determined to go ahead and keep it here," he said during his visit to Mulberry. "People are expecting it to be here."

Jones said he's anticipating about 20 to 50 participants.

Since Jones announced his plans in July, others have scheduled Sept. 11 events in Mulberry to counter the protest.

Suzanne Carter-Moore, who grew up in Mulberry, initiated a Facebook page entitled "Not In Mulberry Terry Jones," and the Dallas-based World Muslim Congress is bringing its annual Unity Day ceremony to Mulberry.

Mike Ghouse, resident of the World Muslim Congress, finalized plans Monday for the celebration designed to counter the burning of the Muslin holy books with peaceful prayer.

Ghouse said the ceremony celebrates the unity among faiths and ways in which communities promote that unity.

"We want (the protestors) to know that violence is a behavior that will not be tolerated," he said.

The Muslim group also is sponsoring a blood drive in conjunction with the ceremony.

[ Suzie Schottelkotte can be reached atsuzie.schottelkotte@theledger.com or 863-533-9070. ]

Quran Burning Day and Unity Day USA

Purpose:

It is a purposeful event to bring Americans of different faiths, races, ethnicities and other uniqueness together to rededicate ourselves to our pledge; One nation under God with liberty and Justice for all. We will pray for peace, prosperity and security of our nation.

The 10th Annual event is moved to Mulberry, Florida - for a singular purpose - to mitigate possible apprehensions generated by the planned burning of 2998 copies of Quran on September 11, 2013. We hope it restores our faith in the cohesiveness of America, and we the people will go on about our business of living our daily lives.

Date 9/11/2013 in Mulberry - place and time will be announced soon.


We honor the free speech guaranteed in our constitution, and have no intentions to criticize, condemn or oppose Pastor Terry Jones freedom of expression.  Instead, we will be donating blood and praying for goodness to prevail.

We hope, our mercy based message will remind those few Muslims elsewhere in the world that violence is not the way. We believe it may bring a change in the attitudes of followers of Pastor Jones, and in the behavior of those Muslims who reacted violently the last time Pastor sought notoriety. The full press release: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/08/planned-muslim-response-to-quran_18.html

We will gather;

1. to be together as Americans
2. to express our gratitude to our men and women in uniform
3. to honor individuals who have contributed to the well being of Mulberry, Florida
4. to emphasize and appreciate diversity represented by America.
5. to cherish the otherness of others. 
6. to commit to be good neighbors 
7. to rededicate our pledge to the peace, prosperity and security of America

Please join us with your family and friends to be together as Americans. Your presence is a valuable expression of unity. Along with our elected officials, civic, religious and business leaders, you help fulfill our common values and aspirations. Your presence fortifies our commitment to a pluralistic America.

As Americans, and as American of all hues, we uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our constitution. All our faiths reinforce the creed of "One Nation under God, with liberty and justice for all”. 

On this Unity Day USA, we, the people of the United States of America of every faith, race and ethnicity, will gather to express our commitment to co-existence, safety, prosperity and the well being of our nation. 

PROGRAM OUTLINE

10th Annual Unity Day USA
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 
Mulberry, Florida
TIME: TBD
Flag Ceremony

 

National Anthem  
(Preferably joined in by members of at least 7 faith traditions, if not all)

 

Pledge of Allegiance 
To be led by the Hon. Mayor of Mulberry

   
Purpose of Unity DayThank Yous and Acknowledgements

GreetingsGreetings from several religious traditions a few Video Samples;  City of Carrollton-II - City of Carrollton – Chicago Bible College

Civic LeadersMayors, Police and Fire chiefs, and Civic Leaders to share 3 minutes each – about their responsibility in treating each citizen with respect and dignity 

Honoring the activists 
Those who have stood up for others

Spiritual Leaders
Spiritual Leaders to share their wisdom – 3 minutes each. In Dallas we bring 15 traditions, here we can do as many as we can gather – between Atheist (all Americans need to be represented), Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian (as many denominations as we can), Earth Based, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Native Americans, Pagan, Sikh, Shinto, Wicca and Zoroastrians. 

Peace Pledge

• I will I will speak up when there is injustice.
• I will speak up when truth is not spoken.
• I will make my words and my actions mitigate conflicts.
• I will do my share in nurturing goodwill for the benefit of all.
• I will do my share of peace work, without looking for others 
• I will do respect the God given uniqueness of each individual.
• I will do my best to live and let others live their way.
• I will do my best to nurture goodwill in everything I do.

Special Muslim prayer ( 3-4 Minutes)

Pray for the well being of all Americans, and pray for Reverend Terry Jones, and seek forgiveness for all of us, and that God guide to Guide Reverend Terry Jones to become a be blessed peace maker. Pray for the goodwill of the people of Polk county and Mulberry City, and pray for a cohesive America, where no American needs to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear or fellow Americans.

Conclusion – Thank you.
Depending on the time and place – we can arrange soft drinks, cookies and munchies.

Donate at http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/ 

A video message to Muslims and Pastor Terry Jones

A VIDEO MESSAGE TO MUSLIMS AND PASTOR JONES
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsQq-tbJ89k&feature=youtu.be

All of this is at www.WorldMuslimCongress.com 

1. PLANNED MUSLIM RESPONSE TO PASTOR JONES QUR'AN BURNING URL- http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/08/planned-muslim-response-to-quran_18.html

4. A PROPER RESPONSE TO INFLAMMATORY ACT - SAUDI GAZETTE
http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20130821177617

5. FOR MUSLIMS IN AMERICA, A NOVEL PROTEST - TIMES OF INDIA
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/From-Muslims-in-America-a-novel-protest-against-quran-burning/articleshow/21982162.cms

6. TAMPA BAY FOX NEWShttp://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/23233567/2013/08/22/pastor-wants-to-burn-3000-korans-in-mulberry 

9. MUSLIMS PROTESTS - MULBERRY LEDGER
http://www.theledger.com/article/20130820/news/130829938

All the original pieces related to the Quran burning even are at www.WorldMuslimCongress.com 

How unity day as conceived
http://911unitydayusa.blogspot.com/2011_12_01_archive.html

Unity day 2009

Unityday 2006

Thank you.
Mike Ghouse 
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
www.AmericaTogetherFoundation.com

www.FoundationforPluralism.com
www.UnitydayUSA.com