Press Release: 14th Annual Holocaust and Genocides event

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Dr. Mike Ghouse
Washington, DC
Phone (214) 325-1916
email:Mike@Centerforpluarlism.com

Muslims Commemorating Holocaust and Genocides Event

January 10, 2019, Washington, DC – The Center for Pluralism is deeply committed to education and regularly brings Americans together to learn about each other’s joys and suffering. It is an initiative to build responsible civic societies, where justice and co-existence are our values.

The Holocaust and the Genocides commemoration is an initiative of American Muslims, to stand with all the men, women and children who have endured the Holocaust, genocides, massacres, bombs, annihilation, land mines, hunger, rape, torture, occupation, and inhuman brutality and continue to be apprehensive about such happenings.

The “Story behind” the reason for Muslims to take this initiative is listed athttp://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com/

We have to learn, acknowledge and reflect upon the terrible things we have inflicted upon each other and have to commit to ourselves to resist the temptations to be prejudiced towards others. We cannot expect others to be peaceful unless we are peaceful ourselves.

Imam Faizul Khan of the Islamic Society of Washington Area in Silver Spring, MD states, “Muslims, are guided to stand up for the rights of others, and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says, if you cannot stop the oppression, the least you can do is speak up, and we are pleased to support this initiative.” 

“For a long time, Jewish people commemorated the Holocaust event among themselves, and it is good to know that Muslims have taken the initiative to spread the knowledge among people of different faiths and worldviews.” Add Dan Spiro, President of Jewish Islamic Dialogue Society.

The least we can do in the process of healing is to acknowledge everyone's pain in one voice. We have begun the process of coming together as one people and stand with each other, we are indeed one world and one humanity, and caring for each other bring safety and peace to all of us. I cannot be safe if the people around me are not, and I will not have peace if people around me don't. It is in my interest to seek a peaceful world for one and all.

We are working on initiating a course on tolerance education, so one day; we all can learn to have a heart that opens to the pain of every human, yes, we can do that.

Program: 14th Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides

Holocaust

Syrian Refugee Crisis

Rohingya Ethnic Cleansing 

Uyghur Chinese Muslims 

Crimean Tartars 

Organized by the Center for Pluralism

Supporting Organizations:

1. Jewish Islamic Dialogue Society- http://Jids.org
2. Islamic Society of the Washington Area - http://iswamd.org/
3. World Muslim Congress - http://worldmuslimcongress.org/
4. JAMAAT - Jews Muslims and Allies acting together
5. Foundation for Ethnic Understanding
6. Muslim Institute - Interfaith Studies & Understanding
7. Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) - UHRP.ORG
8. Uyghur-American Association (UAA) - UAA.org
9. World Uyghur Congress (WUC) - Uyghurcongress.org
10. Great Truth 

The Center for Pluralism and the World Muslim Congress are deeply committed to education and relentlessly pursue building cohesive societies where no human has to live in apprehension and fear of the other.

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holocaust-and-genocides-event-tickets-54157371155

INFO: https://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com/2018/12/14th-annual-reflections-on-holocaust.html

The Center for Pluralism is deeply committed to education and relentlessly pursue cohesive building societies where no human has to live in apprehension and fear of the other. More about us at us http://centerforpluralism.com/mission-accomplished-at-the-center-for-pluralism/

# # #

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.

Texas Faith: Where’s the outrage over the atrocities in Syria?

As a Pluralist and a Muslim, who has stood up and spoken against every possible atrocity, prejudice and massacre, and who organizes the annual Holocaust and Genocides commemoration in Dallas since 2006, I am guilty of not giving due attention to the atrocities of Assad on the people of Syria. Shame on me! We have the moral responsibility to restore the safety of every human.  This note is a token of my repentance.

Mike Ghouse
.....

Texas Faith : Where’s the outrage over the atrocities in Syria?

By Bill McKenzie /

| Dallas Morning News | Published on June 4, 2013

What about Syria? Why aren't we hearing many protests from religious leaders in the U.S. about the atrocities that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is bringing down upon his people? As this Reuters report states, 80,000 of his countrymen have been killed since they started protesting his government.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/30/us-syria-russia-missiles-idUSBRE94T05S20130530

I raise that question because there is a general sense in the country that Americans don't want to get involved with Syria's meltdown. Polling data is clear about that.

But shouldn't people of faith in the U.S. at least be making a cause out of the deaths that are happening there?

After Rwanda, many Americans said we can't let a massacre like that happen again. Well, a leader is brutalizing his people and there aren't many howls about it. There may be the occasional statement, but not much more than that.

Is this because of a fear of American power getting out of hand? Is it because we are weary of the Mideast? Is it because we don't know what to do about the situation? Is it because we don't want to side with any of the players? Is it because of something else?

I would like to hear your thoughts about this issue. It's one thing to not get involved militarily in Syria. But do religious leaders and institutions in the U.S. not have some responsibility to speak out against the atrocities, pray for the victims and raise moral questions?

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas, and Speaker on interfaith matters, diversity and pluralism

As a pluralist and a Muslim, and as one who has stood up and spoken against every possible atrocity, prejudice and massacre, and as one who organizes the annual Holocaust and Genocides commemoration in Dallas, I am guilty of not giving due attention to the atrocities of Assad on the people of Syria. Shame on me!

Thanks for the opportunity for repentance through this blog entry. There is no excuse for our nonchalant attitudes given the scale of the massacre. Mr. McKenzie is right: We, as people of faith, should be making a cause out of the deaths that are happening in Syria.

A Syrian friend had shared with me videos of bombings and children being killed during his visits to Syria. However, there was that glimmer of hope that Assad would lose and people would determine their own destiny.

But this conflict is morphing into a battle between the Shia, Sunni and the Alawites. And that could deepen the chasm between the groups.

So, what can people of faith do? We have to do what spiritual masters like Jesus, and Muhammad have done, and that is mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill. We might consider a delegation of Shia, Sunni, and Alawite Muslims, along with Christians and Jews, to invoke humility. Let’s not discount the power of prayer to communicate to the Syrians that we care.

What can the United States do? A lot of things besides the rhetoric. We need to get the Organization of Islamic Conference, a body of 56 Muslim-majority nations, to negotiate and bring a closure to this conflict. What is the point of having a body, if they can’t do that?

What we should not do is arm the rebels and cause more fighting, nor should we bomb like maniacs. We cannot be a party to death and destruction, as we have been in the past. Nor should we allow Americans to get burned at home through this conflict.

The last choice is to drone the guy and take him out with least collateral damage.

We do have the moral responsibility to restore the safety of every human.

Added note:

This conflict is indeed morphing into a battle between the Shia, Sunni and the Alawites and could deepen the chasm between the groups. Patrick Buchanan in his op-ed at the American conservative calls it Islam’s civil war and throws two powerful ideas of natural boundaries and who dares, wins. If these two ideas have merit, we may have to consider those options to end the conflict and stop the massacres.  ...........

To see all the other responses, at Dallas Morning News at: http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2013/06/texas-faith-wheres-the-outrage-over-the-atrocities-in-syria.html/

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in Standing up for others and has done that throughout his life as an activist. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington post; and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes his work through many links.

 

Mike Ghouse on Hannity Show with Brigitte Gabriel

I made a few points that I needed to make - a complete absence of another point of view is not healthy for a nation. No talk show by left or right, either by Matthew or Hannity allows their guest to give a complete picture... they keep shooting questions and you got to figure it out to hit your points.. I make a few of my points, instead of no points. They give a hair thin chance to get your point.... its not easy.

MY POINTS

1. We should not have gone into Afghanistan in the first place, we need to pack and come back home, Afghans have been around for millennium and they will manage their affairs, we don't need to baby sit them.

2. War is wrong and we should go after the terrorists individuals, and not the nations.

3. Never punish the good people as collateral damage. We need the good people on our side, and must isolate the bad apples.

4. These outfits claiming to be linked with AlQaida or Talibans may be faking their claims just to get credibility

5. We should not fund Egypt, if Morsi does not relinquish is absolute powers.

6. We need to continue to negotiate with Iran, War is not the answer and we cannot mess our economy with another war. We are just not capable of another war. If we can get the job done through a dialogue, that is the wise thing to do.

7. Humans dialogue to resolves the conflicts, animals lock in their horns. Dialogues is the only way to go forward.

.... it was a 15 minute conversation between Hannity, Gabrielle (the ranter) and myself. In the shows, I do not get into her diatribe, or even respond to another item, as I do not want to be derailed from the points I am making... I rather stick with a few points and I did it.
about a minute ago ·


Ghouse and Gabriel on Algeria
Sean was joined by Mike Ghouse and Brigitte Gabriel to discuss the latest hostage crisis in Algeria and what President Obama is doing to solve this issue. “I thought Al Qaeda was on the run,” sarcastically commented Sean, “I’m kidding, I never thought this was over.” “The way I see this is that our enemies see Israel as weaker,” continued Hannity, “As we look at the rise of radicalism, we need to ask how widespread this is.” “Exactly,” agreed Gabriel, “There were forty four wars going on between Muslims and Non-Muslims in 2006 and we’re even worse off now and yet we hear nothing from the West.” “Radical Islamists have figured out that our President doesn’t have the stomach to take them on,” concluded Sean, “He just doesn’t.” “The majority of people are good people,” countered Ghouse, “What we need to do is keep the good people on our side.” While another war is far from what America needs right now, one thing is clear and that’s our need to stand up to radical Islamists who’re hell-bent on trying to destroy America and yet, keep an open arm to those “good people” who are on our side. For the latest on the Algerian hostage situation, click here. http://hoaxandchange.blogspot.com/2013/01/executive-order-is-disorder.html?m=1 

I will remember to add the audio link or other write ups.

Mike