Congressman John Lewis from Georgia's 5th District

Congressman John Lewis | www.TheGhouseDiary.com

Monday, January 4, 2015 - Washington, DC -- I walked into my favorite Chinese Restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue, and spotted Congressman John Lewis, and walked up to him, he was gracious and we carried a conversation. What a joy it was to have this accidental Dinner meeting. 

He is a good listener indeed, and listened to my narrative about speaking from the steps of Lincoln Memorial, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his " I have a dream" speech which gave birth to the civil rights acts fulfilling the founding fathers vision that we are all created equal. 

We chose the same steps to deliver our speech, and our vision where Muslims will be accepted as equals and reach a new milestone of integration. 

He was happy to hear that as Muslims and Christians came together to celebrate once in our life time auspicious birth event of Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad on Saturday, December 26th on the very steps where MLK spoke his dream.  The idea of the event was to come together to create a better America for every American. 

He said, he was in Atlanta during that time, and would have loved to join the event. We have many more events coming up this year and we will make sure to invite him.

More about John Lewis - https://johnlewis.house.gov/john-lewis/biography

Mike Ghouse | (214) 325-1916 

 

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, newsmaker and a professional speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam,  politics, human rights, Terrorism,  and foreign policy.  Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at TheGhousediary.com 

Angels in our daily lives

Angels in our daily lives | TheGhouseDiary.com | Facebook.com/MikeGhouse

I was in Brooke Stone store in Charlotte, desperately searching for of a battery operated mini-speaker to address gatherings in open fields like the one we did on the steps of Lincoln Memorial. The sales person could not explain the item…. An angel James ‘Barue’ Wilson flies right in and explains the product. By the way, he is a flight Attendant with American and knew everything you wanted to know about the product, he had just bought it… he spent a good 15 minutes showing me how to use the product. I bought the system and it is called the big blue party speaker. Good people are all around you. Thank you Barue’ I am posting this on my Face book as well asTheGhouseDiary.com

At the Sports Authority, the manager walks over to help me, and he is Robert in the Alexandria Store. He understood what I was looking for; a battery operated speaker system as there is no electricity to hook up at Lincoln Memorial event the next day. He called 5 stores in Tyson Corner, Rockville and other places for such system as well as the mega phone… That is an outstanding customer service; we did not find the product, but his willingness to help makes me shop there first. Good job Robert.

On the steps of the Lincoln center appear two angels, I was the first one waving the flag and then these two young men walk up and offered to help. They held the banner from nearly 1 hour 30 minutes, and don’t know how many people at Lincoln center came and took pictures with the Banner.

How do you thank them all? My way of thanking them is spend time and write a note about them. We have to encourage what is good!

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Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and bulk of his writings are at TheGhousediary.com  

American Muslims are proud of taking the right steps towards integration

American Muslims are proud of taking the right steps towards integration. www.AmericanMuslimInstitution.org  

On Friday, November 20, 2015, the American Muslims took a bold step in their journey towards being-one with fellow Americans.  

The American Muslim Institution (AMI) led the demonstrations against Terrorism and Daesh on the steps of Lincoln Memorial;  this historic location was chosen to mirror the efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who brought a positive change to the American civil society with his immortal, “I have a dream speech" on the very same steps.

It was indeed a symbolic event for American Muslims, and the foundation for a positive change was laid.The next event was held within hours across the White House by ADAMS Center and another one by APPNA at Dupont Circle the very next day. Now, it is gathering momentum.  

The apprehensions and the conflicts Muslims feel is a result of actions and reactions feeding each other. The Media is blamed for amplifying the negative portrayal of Muslims, while our own attitudes have also contributed towards to the feeding frenzy. It is time to change the equation.  

Mother Teresa had said if you want to make peace with your enemies, go talk with them. Praise the Lord, we have begun the process.  Media is not our enemy; they are merely reflecting the fears of a few, some of them have not taken the time to differentiate between religion and its followers, and have mistaken us with the Daesh, Talibans, Al-Qaeda and their ilk. It is our duty to correct these gross errors on a continual basis. God willing, we hope to conduct seminars and workshops with the media to rectify some of the false perceptions about us. Good and healthy communications can always pave the way for better understanding.

We hear, "the proof is in the pudding", indeed it is. In the following links (four videos), listen to the tone of Sean Hannity, Stuart Varney, and Richard Ray of Fox News. They have responded to positive engagement. There is a new emerging language of understanding and support. What has not worked is disengagement; I would rather engage and fail than cause us to dig in our heels.
This week’s output;    

1. A small step for Muslims, but a giant leap for America - Link

1. Thanksgiving (Interfaith), an  unforgettable story of Appaiah - Link

1. Stuart Varney on Fox -Lincoln Memorial – Link

1. Richard Ray on Fox Dallas -Pastor Jeffress – Link

1. Sean Hannity on Fox about Syrian Refugees – Link

1. Stuart Varney of Fox complains  - Link

1. American Muslims Demonstrate against ISIS - Link

1. War on Terror is the dumbest idea ever floated - Link

1. Islamic way of dealing Terrorism – Link

1. American Muslims Condemn ISIS - Link

1. Rabbi Jonathan Sachs Hugs Mike on the stage. Link

1. Moderate Muslims Speak out? Link

1. What has Sean Hannity done for us? Link (last 9 of the 15 minutes)

The American Muslim Institution is formed with three specific goals - work with the media, mitigate Islamophobia and speed up the process of integration. We hope to get to the point where fellow Americans will see Muslims as their neighbors and fellow citizens, committed to fight against violent extremism and to protect the homeland. No more them against us, it will be all of us working together for a prosperous, secure and cohesive America. . 

Since August 4th, we have been written up in nearly 300 media outlets, this event at Lincoln Memorial has produced nearly 60 Media reports-videos and write ups.  You can Google "American Muslim Institution." Insha Allah, we will upload all of them including our own video and pictures on this site www.AmericanMuslimInstitution.org  within a few weeks.

An integrated society functions effectively when we are all on the same page with our uniqueness.  When we demonstrated against Terrorism and Daesh on the steps of Lincoln Memorial, it resonated with fellow Americans; both of us were against the monsters.  When we celebrate 4th of July in the biggest possible way, it will resonate with fellow Americans; both of us become fellow patriots.  When armed protesters head towards Mosques with a confused intent, we can greet them with kindness and caring hospitality, hoist American flags on our mosques grounds, serve grilled hot dogs and water, the hostility will dissipate and they will view us as fellow Americans instead of perceived hostility. We must connect with them instead alienating them. 

Of course, I suggest our Friday Sermons to teach us in dealing with conflicts in the most simple way.

Islamophobia? Right now 63% of Americans don't see Muslims favorably; we can bring this number down to 32% in 3 years. If you are willing to do certain basic things. I will be happy to give a talk and present practical action plan to your group,  listing seven little and seven big things we can do to shape our future with fellow Americans. We cannot postpone this and live in misery for another decade.  

Mike Ghouse,Executive DirectorAmerican Muslim InstitutionA proactive voice for American MuslimsWashington, DC(214) 325-1916 

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam,politics, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine,foreign policy and building cohesive societies. Mike offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at TheGhousediary.com.

Join American Muslims against ISIS and Terrorism on the steps of Lincoln Memorial

PRESS RELEASE

Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916
Mike@AmericanMuslimInstitution.org
website: www.AmericanMuslimInstitution.org

American Muslims against ISIS gather up on the steps of Lincoln Memorial

Washington, DC, November 19, 2015 – Muslims around the world and particularly Americans Muslims have been sick of the terrorists, particularly the ISIS and the Al-Qaeda guys ever since they started terrorizing the lives of innocent people. We mourn the loss of lives in France, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Nigeria and elsewhere in the world and firmly stand against the terrorists.

Given the short notice prior to the Thanksgiving weekend, the Muslims of Washington, DC have organized a gathering of Americans of different faiths to come together on the steps of Lincoln Memorial and make the statements of condemnations.We hope this event effectively conveys a message to the terrorists that the world is against them, and that we are all in this together; opposing terrorism and condemning ISIS.  

You are all invited to join us on the steps of Lincoln Memorial:

• Date: 11/20/15
• Day: Friday |
• Time: 3:00 -4:30 PM 
• Place: On the steps of Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC
• Website: www.AmericanMuslimInstitution.org

The purpose of this gathering is to send a clear message to the ISIS and their ilk, that American Muslims are angry about their actions. They are to be charged for the violations of human rights, forcing women into slavery, conversions at gun point, harassment of Christians, Yazidis, Shias, Jews, Sunnis and other minorities, and most certainly creating chaos and abusing the name of Islam. 

We cannot tolerate any of these acts and we urge our president to speak out in behalf of fellow humans,  and give them three days notice to back off, surrender, and repent for their actions or face the consequences.

We invite Americans of all faiths and no faiths to join us in standing up against ISIS.  Yes, we the Muslims are as angry as average American. Indeed, we are all in this together.

We pledge that we are one nation under the flag, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Please join us on the steps of Lincoln Memorial.

# # #

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS 

We will be listing as many participating organizations as we can. Please send an email with the name of your organization, website and your phone number,  and we will add to the list below.

01. ADAMS Center, All Dulles Area Muslim Society
02. American Muslim Institution, Washington, DC
03. Washington Area Jews for Jewish Muslim Understanding
04. Geotrees, An Intercultural Crossroads for the History of the Future
05. Islamic Community Center of Potomac
06. Foundation for Pluralism
07. The world Organization for Resources development and Education.
08. Muslims for Peace, Justice and Progress 
09. United Maryland Muslim Council
10. Howard County Muslim Council
11. UMA Interfaith Alliance
12. Muslim Community Center of Maryland
13. Montgomery County Muslim Foundation
14. Islamic Center of Greater Toledo 
15. Islamic Center of Long Island
16. IMANA International Collaboration
17. UMMAA Broadcasting
18. Hillside Islamic Center New Hyde Park NY

We appreciate the PSA announcements from Stuart Varney and Jennie Lubart of Fox News and we invite them to cover this event. 

My first Yom Kippur Service

 Washington, D.C., Lincoln Memorial.

September 22, 2015

Although I am involved with Jews and Judaism for a long time, and been to Synagogues, done most things... this was my first Yom Kippur attendance.

As usual I felt home with the group, I did not know the songs, but the idea is same whether it is Muslims singing Milaad, Hindus singing Bhajans, Sikhs singing Shabad or Christians doing Carols... the spirit is same, you feel at peace, connected with the self and some time sanctimonious.

The Rabbi from Philadelphia floored me, this would have been clearly my sermon - conversation revolving around building cohesive societies, justice and accountability. I fully connected with his sermon, he will share it soon, then you can see our expressions are so similar.

He was all praise for Pope and indeed said similar things I have said and written about Pope Francis.

I am writing for the 1000th time, Judaism and Islam are mirror images of each other. Sadly, like all other religions, these two are no exceptions in having people claim to follow the faith, but really they do not. If every follower of every religion follows his or her religion, there will not be any problem.

In the pictures, I have taken a picture of the card I filled, as every one was asked to fill.
Good experience, thanks to my friend Ilan Leibowitz for inviting me.

Article about Yom Kippur is similar the talks I have heard today.