Is it worth talking with right wingers 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 the following video from a Fox News debate with Sean Hannity and Brigitte Gabrielle 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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHgZbPPrE9w

In the above video, if you had the time to ‘listen’ (not hear but listen) to what Brigitte Gabrielle said, without any doubt she sounds hateful and gives her own convoluted reasons. If Muslims (her perceptions) did not do certain things this would not happen.  I hope you see a room for a dialogue there….   Next time you tend to discount someone, please make an effort to listen to them. What sounds like a condemnation may be an actual invitation to clarify concerns?  Will she change her mind? Of course she will as long as it is not to your advantage but for common goodness. She is human and will take a lot of “seeing the facts” for her, and it is worth the effort.

She had invited me to speak at her San Antonio chapter of ACT, there again, there were several who came up and said they did not know Islam teaches peace and non-violence. It was one against all others, I did not see it that way, I saw that they wanted to hear another point of view, and thank God I was one of the two Muslims who went to speak, others Muslims had rejected.

We should not expect people to change just because we speak, but am glad at least they wanted to hear.  Quran often reminds us to honor free will as the overriding value of God’s creation.

Prophet Muhammad during a meditative mood thought it aloud. Lord, I am frustrated, the message of oneness is not received by enough people, what should I to do?  God responds, “Muhammad, don’t give up teaching the values of oneness of God and accountability of one’s actions, do your duty, let me be the one to give them guidance to receive.”  Please note these were not the exact words from Quran or the prophet, but it is the meaning found in many verses including these two; 10:99 and 28:56 referred to in Muhammad Asad’s translation.

It is difficult for a few Muslims or people in any group to understand that we have to talk with the ones who are opposed to us, malign us and tear us apart.   Mother Teresa has the perfect advice for those few, “If you want to make peace with your enemies, go talk with them.”  Talking and gossiping among friends won’t change a thing, but talking with the ones who want to tear you down, does creates a chance.   I have seen the results time and again.

It is not a waste of time, people are getting the message.

As I was walking out of the terminal in the Los Angeles Airport, someone tapped on my shoulder, I looked back – the guy said he was a surgeon in Los Angeles and my fan, and I was plain flabbergasted. He said, he and his friends have discussed about my presence on Hannity, and said, “You break their narrative.”  Before you came on the scene, we took what was given to us as the gospel truth, but when you started to butt in and challenge Hannity; we realized that there is another point of view.  Even though you don’t get to say all your points, the fact that you challenge him has made us look for more.  We must give him the credit for giving your website address and we read your full points.  He moved on by saying, keep up the good work.

This happens frequently in the planes, airports and this week at CPAC. I really wish the progressive attend the conservative meetings and Vice-Versa to have hopes that we can talk with each other.

I continue to believe that we need to listen to people without prejudice; the so called right wing people express their thoughts in a way that frightens many.

You will not believe the following video, what you see is that conservatives are screaming out loud for reassurance,  that we are all in this together and together against extremism.  When we have one voice, see what they do. Here is Stuart Varney about our work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGSti7f9F-A

It is a grave mistake to write off others as bad people, at the end we all lose. Listen to the videos again, there is so much to learn, they tell us what it takes, and that is a good beginning. I would rather spend time with them, even if I don’t get anywhere with them.  Remember it is not a business to have measurable returns for your time; it is a service with nothing to be expected but serve.

My late wife used to command me frequently, “Why waste your time for the community, no one would appreciate it, put in the same hours in your consulting business and bring more money, at least I will appreciate it and we can take more vacations.”

My passion for Pluralism (religious, political, cultural, civic and societal) runs deep, and has led me to devote the rest of my life to this purpose.  As you may know, with my qualifications I can make substantial money, as so many do and wither away, but I want to live a purposeful life by bringing a sense of security to every American, where all of us drop our guards and live a tension-free life. If we follow our calling; there is peace and joy in it.

No one will point a single finger at me, if I did nothing.

Dealing with Brigitte Gabrielle, Pamela Geller and their likes does make sense.  There are those like the guy in the Airport, and there are those who call me names. I even get death threats.  I receive a lot of emails and by the way 16 Million people have visited my Google profile and 20 Million have visited my website. Someone is listening some place, what God said to Muhammad was also said by Krishna to Arjuna, do your duty and let God decide to give the fruit.  I am at peace.

Jesus’s wisdom is powerful – don’t condemn the sinners, you have zero chance of redeeming them. If you condemn the sin, in this case what their talk does to create apprehension, you have at least 0.01 % chance of redeeming them. I would invest my time in redemption than condemnation.

Here is another video about Hannity – I strongly believe dialogue is critical to bring a change. We can have meetings all day long, but talking with friends creates fewer chances for change than talking with those who are opposed.

Take a look https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd-mgSFziII

I wrote this piece because I was attacked by a few major Muslim organizations for going on Hannity, they did not see what can be done by positive engagement. God willing, I am seeking a few friends to fund the Center for Pluralism, and I hope to train enough people to start the dialogues and bring about the change we need to.

I urge you not to run from the ones who appear to eat you alive, talk to them, and if you want to get somewhere with them, have patience.

God bless us all, we are one nation, if we can learnt to respect the otherness of others and accept the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.

Center for Pluralism is committed to building a cohesive America.

Who Speaks for American Muslims

The overwhelming majority of Muslims are moderate. However, there are not enough speakers out there to articulate what these Muslims actually believe and practice, and their significant contributions to America.

Those who had a morally corrupt agenda filled the gap and spoke negatively about Islam. Unfortunately, their version became the currency and so many Americans fell for it in the absence of the right information.

Everyone wants to see a cohesive America where no one has to live in apprehension, tension or fear each other.  The Center for Pluralism, also known as the America Together Foundation has embarked on a mission to train speakers to deliver the message of Islam, as practiced by American Muslims –which is distinct from Islam practiced elsewhere in the world.

There is no doubt that a few “Islamophobes” are out to get Muslims; they are well paid to do so. But in the same vein, Muslims would not be well served to believe that “all of them” are of the same ilk.  These Islamophobes are simply afraid of what the “Islamists” are doing in the name of Islam and worried sick about its ramifications for America. Rationally they know it is not in America, but still the phobia persists.

We have an obligation to listen to our fellow citizens and a moral duty to allay their fears.
Pulitzer Prize winner Judith Miller speaks out on Fox News, “It is the fear that so many Muslims who are moderates, the fear they have of speaking out and the reaction of their own community. Until we win that battle inside, the Jihadists will take center stage.  We are going to go on creating the impression that the Islamists Jihadists are the majority and they are not.”  Brigitte Gabrielle of Act for America adds, “Where are the funders of people like Mike – is there not a mega millionaire in the Islamic world who can say, you know what I believe in your moderate message and can give Mike $5 Million dollars to build the grass root organization?”

Here is a video: https://www.facebook.com/MikeGhouse/videos/1438210749532124/.

The right leaning Muslims curse Gabrielle, Spencer and Geller out, while the left discounts them, leaving the moderates to deal with the issue. What I hear them say is simply this: Where are the mainstream Muslims to speak out about what they practice? The mainstream Muslims have reached the point of zero tolerance towards extremism and have the desire to assertively seek to push the literalists to see the essence of Islam.

The most sustainable way to counter Islamophobia and violent extremism is through education. Our programs are designed to bring Americans together; the more we see each other in social, cultural, civic, religious, political and other settings, the less divisiveness there will be, resulting in fewer misunderstandings and misperceptions between us.

This is the Islam of Moderate Muslims.

Muslims are not arrogant and do not reject the validity of other spiritual paths. They believe that Islam is one of the many spiritual paths that bring support to an individual in dealing with the difficulties of life.

The Quran is a book of guidance to restore harmony within oneself, and harmony with others through a variety of values listed below.

Moderate Muslims are mainstream Muslims; they have no barriers between them and God’s creation.  They are free from prejudice towards others.

They have an inherent sense of equality with respect to men and women.

They do not flaunt their religion at every opportunity.  They will seldom say you will go to hell.

Social life is easy with them, they mix and mingle.  They will go to a bar with you, and while you drink alcohol, they will quietly drink water or soda and not make a production out of their religion.  If you invite them for dinner, they quietly eat what suits them and you don’t have to be stressed out about what to cook for them.  They appreciate it if you are conscious that Muslims don’t eat pork products.

They are not hell bent on converting or missionizing others, as they see other paths as equally valid. They will not engage in the upmanship battle either.

As most White, Black, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh or Christian parents do,   Muslim parents will neither compel their children to observe religion strictly, nor do they throw fits if their kids marry outside their faiths. Personalizing faith is an America value!

Most Muslims may not even talk about religion, it is not important to them, what is important is knowing and caring for their neighbors and respecting and honoring fellow beings, consistent with the Golden Rule.

Sharia is not coming to America nor do American Muslims want the kind of Public Sharia practiced in Saudi Arabia and Iran. American Muslims believe in personal Sharia – that is how you pray, fast, share what you have, care for fellow humans. Let’s “clear the air” of misunderstandings for all Americans. We need to put this fear behind us and focus on prosperity and living our lives.  American Muslims uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our American Constitution. Our faith reinforces the idea of one nation with liberty and justice for all.

These characteristic accurately describe the vast majority of mainstream American Muslims.  They quietly practice their faith; and don’t feel the need to make a show of their religion.

The process of telling the American Muslim story has begun.  It started with Sean Hannity of Fox News – he was the first one to bring a mainstream Muslims on his show.  Before that, Muslims were usually represented by bearded men wearing religious costumes. Let me clarify, the beard and Hijab are not the determinants of one’s moderation or religiosity, they are cultural in nature and are a personal choice.

Gone are the days when you were not Muslim enough to speak about Islam if you did not wear the beard or hijab; did not throw in a ton of Arabic phrases; and did not wear some exotic sort of symbolic body and head covering associated with Islam.

What Islam is not is ruling others or compelling others to believe against their will. The Quran is clear on that, no one bears the burdens of others and no one is responsible for other’s actions. What Islam is, is freedom to believe as you will, and freedom to choose between right and wrong.  And it is very much about taking responsibility for one’s words and actions.

American Islam is minding your own faith, and letting others mind theirs.

Islam is about spirituality – that is, becoming one with nature (God) where all walls fall that divide you from the others.

Islam is pluralism – that is, respecting the otherness of others and accepting the God-given uniqueness of each one of us.  You’ll learn all about this in our class, replete with references from the Quran and the prophet’s practices.  It simply can’t get more authentic than that!

THE NEW SPEAKERS ON ISLAM

Nothing will change without intention and effort.  If we wish for speakers who reflect the values of the majority, we have to find and encourage them.

Fortunately, we have begun this process.

We teach the traditional five pillars of Islam, which are the personal aspect of Islam and a part of being a Muslim.  But our focus is on the major part of being a Muslim, and that is the practices and values that contribute towards building cohesive societies.

The following values are taught:  First Amendment, responsibility and accountability, truthfulness, justice, forgiveness, caring for fellow beings, humility, equality, and pluralism, freedom of speech, harmony, and civil dialogue.  In a nutshell, this is Islam.

Many people, and many Muslims themselves, have been hungry for speakers who spoke about the values of Islam, and now we have taken the first step towards it.

We have just completed the first course, held in metro Washington, DC.  Subject to funding, the next course will be a three weekend 15 hours course to be held in May 2017 also in DC.  The training is open to people of all faiths, and indeed, at least one non-Muslim has already completed it.   Anyone with the knowledge of good universal human values and a heart for harmony within the human family can pick up the training and speak for Islam, the American Islam.

If you are looking for speakers on Islam, we have a good lineup available.  They graduated from the Muslim Speakers training program and are ready to speak on the values of Islam, the values that contribute towards making the world a better place for every human being.  They speak of Islam as it is, the inclusive Islam practiced by contemporary American Muslims.

Thanks to the support from Montgomery County Muslim Foundation, Muslim Community Center of Silver Spring and American Muslim Institution for the sponsorship of the respective classes.  We also thank Imam Faizul Khan (Rituals), Imam Ali Siddiqui (History), Imam Dain Abdul-Fattah Johnson (Hadith),  Nathan Walker (Fist Amendment),  Falah Shams (Denominations),  Rabia Baig (Youth), Alejandro Beutel (Radicalization & CVE),  Haris Tarin (Terrorism,), Katherine Kerr (Media Training) and Mike Ghouse (Quran, Pluralism, Sharia, Islamophobia, Islamic Values) who put the program together.

Here is a statement from each of six graduates about what they can speak about.

Charles Stevenson:  “I can speak as a Catholic friend of Islam and as a childhood son of Northern Virginia’s rural American South, and as a citizen passionate about building an American future built on the rocklike foundation of harmony in diversity.”

Rina Hafiz: “I am a bridge of understanding to help other cross over and experience the view points of both the west and Islam.  I’ve loved and enjoyed the diversity having lived on both sides of the globe; I am an American, a soccer mom and a Muslim woman who feels empowered by my faith.”

Rashed Hasan: I can speak as an American Muslim Professional, who studied engineering at MIT and business at The Wharton School, and have taken a deep dive into the Qur’an to understand Islam at its core in terms of values and principles, not just rituals.  I am currently publishing a series – Removing the Middleman – putting values and principles from the Qur’an in the context of our contemporary lives and societies.    It will give you a sense of what to expect when I speak about Islam, religious plurality and our common humanity for our generation.

Fatima Argun: I can speak about the value of diversity in today’s America and why it is important for shaping cohesive, collaborative and resilient communities.  To that end, interfaith dialogue and true understanding of those in a community that are different than oneself is at the heart of creating a more harmonious, peaceful world.

Shagufta Hasan:  “I can speak on how it was to grow up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh as a young Muslim girl, and later as a mother helping my children understand and navigate the challenges of their adolescent lives and guiding them to focus on the values and morals that are taught in Islam to become a good human being.”
# # #

Mike Ghouse is the president and executive director of the Center for Pluralism. An interfaith, pluralism and a Muslim Speaker, thinker, writer, organizer, human rights activists, news maker and a pluralist committed to building cohesive societies with a belief that what is good for Muslims has got to be good for the world and vice versa to sustain peace, harmony and prosperity.  He is a conflict mitigater and a goodwill nurturer offering pluralistic solutions to Media on issues of the day. http://www.mikeghouse.net/

The ISIS Genocide of Yazidi, Christians and Shia

Marking the Anniversary of the US Government’s recognition of this ISIS Genocide in Iraq and Syria.

March 16, 2017 – Washington, DC at Capitol Hill.  The Genocide Coalition is partnerships of organizations and advocates for the religious minorities in Iraq and Syria targeted by ISIS for genocide.  ISIS has been pushed back, the but the Genocide continues. Many of the indigenous religious and ethnic communities targeted by ISIS are still unable to return to their homes – and many, nearly three years later, are still not receiving US aid. Before peace and reconciliation efforts can begin, the victims of genocide must be able to return to their homes safely.

Sitting through listening to over a dozen speakers, I hear the same words again and again, I was stuck when Zina Kiryakos, Christian Human Rights council stated that, “7000 years of civilization was destroyed, millions of Chaldean Christians were forced to leave….” I was thinking about the Genocides of the Native Americans as we had commemorated it along with other Genocides. I was picturing the whole list of Genocides through out the human history. Is any nation, any social, political, religious, ethnic or racial group free from being perpetrators?   I need to study these attitudes in terms of majoritarian arrogance rather than their religious or political affiliations. The stinky attitudes towards the others who are weak, powerless and numerical minorities. After 12 years of commemorating Holocaust and many genocides, I feel the pain of all people and I am thankful to God that every one’s pain is my pain too.

Call to Action: The Genocide Coalition calls on the Trump Administration and the international community to take a swift action to stabilize Iraq; to identify and punish those who aided and abetted ISIS in its campaign of genocide and terror; and to appoint to key positions qualified persons who will pursue these and related humanitarian and national security priorities.

There is no doubt Muslims are a maligned lot as some of them have been on the perpetrator’s side at least in the last few decades. As a society, we need to keep our focus on the individuals and cults instead of groups, we should not buy into stereotyping of any kind. If we buy one, we might as well buy justify crimes against each one of us.

I attended the Genocide Coalition at Capitol Hill yesterday sponsored by IDC in defense of Christians.  It was about the Genocide of Christians, Yazidi and Shia Muslims. It was very difficult to understand how minorities are being harassed in every nation and community. Over a dozen Speakers spoke. Nadia Murad, the Yazidi woman spoke, she was raped multiple times by terrorists in the name of Islam, it was not easy, but she was graceful and did not show any bitterness and instead was seeking solutions to end the genocides of not only her people but others too.

I was tensed up for a few moments and quickly recovered. Who will speak for Muslims that condemn these cults. How do we communicate, why did I not seek to speak?  Then the big relief came when I saw Zainab Al-Suwaij’ name on the list and she spoke, Muslims need to be a part of the society in good times and sad times.

Since there was no room for others to speak or comment, I was hesitant, but doing the right thing is the right thing to do. I asked Prof Robert Destro to speak for a minute and he granted and I kept it to the minute. I said, “I just want to share that the American Muslims have dedicated a Friday Sermon and prayed for Yazidis, Christians and Shia and Muslims are constantly standing up for human rights of others”. Here are the two article in Huffington post.

1. Muslims to Dedicate Friday Sermons for the Safety of Christians, Yazidis, Shia and   – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/muslims-to-dedicate-frida_b_5679118.html 

2. President Obama, Go Ahead ‘Degrade and Destroy’ ISIS – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/president-obama-go-ahead-_b_5765264.html

3. Standing up for others – www.StandingupforOthers.com 

Destro concluded some thing to this effect, “More Muslims are victimized and slaughtered by ISIS than the others, and we are all in this together against the ISIS.” The event was orderly and no one took more than the allotted time.

A good line up of speakers: Nadia Murad, a survivor of Yazidi rapes and torture, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Congressman Fortenberry (R-NE), Zina Kiryakos – Christian Human rights council, Phillipe Nassif – In Defense of Christians, Andrew Walther – Knights of Columbus, Robert Nicholson – Philos Project, Naomi Kikoler – USHMM, Adlay Kejjan – Yazidi American Women Organization, Zainab Al Suwaijj – American Islamic Congress, Faith McDonnel – IRD,  Steve Colecchi – USCCB, Kristina Arriaga – USCRIF, Stephen Hollighshead – Iraq Haven, Professor Robert Destro, and Ninia Shea – Hudson Institute.

This is a weekly or a daily story for me, and I am sure you are the only Muslim in some events and felt relieved. Now, why don’t you attend these events? You don’t get paid for this, neither do I…? If you believe you have to serve the community, getting out there is better than talking non-stop in social gatherings.

Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. All about him in 65 links at www.MikeGhouse.net

    

Do Muslims have their priorities lined up?

Do Muslims have their priorities lined up?  

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 offer pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

Please visit http://centerforpluralism.com

Build relationships before you build a Mosque.  

I met with Tom Wheeler, acting Asst Attorney General (Trump Appointee) for the Civil Rights division of Department of Justice. He assures me that the rule of law will prevail and not the whims of the individuals.  I am scheduling a meeting with him at the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring to address the Muslim concerns.

Permits to build Mosques are continually being denied across America and the DOJ is standing with Muslims’s right to build mosque in every case. The question to Muslims is how long should laws of the land carry them? We need to build relationships before we build a mosque. We are too eager to show off our mosque or end up adding to lasting resentments in the community. Is this what Muslims want? If not, let’s do the right things that are sustainable.

1. Islamic Center of Basking Ridge v. Township of Bernard has 47 hearings that failed
2. County of Culpepper in VA – Mosque denied on the pretext of sewage easement
3. Bensalem Township, PA – rezoning request was denied
4. City of Sterling Heights, MI – Anti-Muslim animus
5. Bayonne, NJ – permit denied
6. It is a daily affair…

Thanks to many of the established mosques around the nation, they have built good relationships with their neighbors, that is indeed the Islamic thing to do.

How do we change perceptions about Muslims?  

There is no doubt that a few “Islamophobes” are out to get Muslims; they are well paid to do so. But in the same vein, Muslims would not be well served to believe that “all of them” are of the same ilk.  These Islamophobes are simply afraid of what the “Islamists” are doing in the name of Islam and worried sick about its ramifications for America. Rationally they know it is not in America, but still the phobia persists.

We have an obligation to listen to our fellow citizens and a moral duty to allay their fears.

Pulitzer Prize winner Judith Miller speaks out on Fox News, “It is the fear that so many Muslims who are moderates, the fear they have of speaking out and the reaction of their own community. Until we win that battle inside, the Jihadists will take center stage.  We are going to go on creating the impression that the Islamists Jihadists are the majority and they are not.”  Brigitte Gabrielle of Act for America adds, “Where are the funders of people like Mike – is there not a mega millionaire in the Islamic world who can say, you know what I believe in your moderate message and can give Mike $5 Million dollars to build the grass root organization?”  Here is a video: https://www.facebook.com/MikeGhouse/videos/1438210749532124/.

The right leaning Muslims curse Gabrielle, Spencer and Geller out, while the left discounts them, leaving the moderates to deal with the issue. What I hear them say is simply this: Where are the mainstream Muslims to speak out about what they practice? The mainstream Muslims have reached the point of zero tolerance towards extremism and have the desire to assertively seek to push the literalists to see the essence of Islam.

The most sustainable way to counter Islamophobia and violent extremism is through education. Our programs are designed to bring Americans together; the more we see each other in social, cultural, civic, religious, political and other settings, the less divisiveness there will be, resulting in fewer misunderstandings and misperceptions between us.

The Center for Pluralism, also known as the America Together Foundation has embarked on a mission to train speakers to deliver the message of Islam, as practiced by American Muslims –which is distinct from Islam practiced elsewhere in the world.

Check out the full article: Who speaks for American Muslims –http://centerforpluralism.com/who-speaks-for-american-muslims/

Does Muslim Presence makes a difference

There is no doubt Muslims are a maligned lot as some of them have been on the perpetrator’s side at least in the last few decades. As a society, we need to keep our focus on the individuals and cults instead of groups; we should not buy into stereotyping of any kind. If we buy one, we might as well buy justifying crimes against each one of us.

I attended the Genocide Coalition at Capitol Hill yesterday sponsored by IDC in defense of Christians.  It was about the Genocide of Christians, Yazidi and Shia Muslims. It was very difficult to understand how minorities are being harassed in every nation. Over a dozen Speakers spoke. Nadia Murad, the Yazidi woman spoke, she was raped multiple times by terrorists in the name of Islam, it was not easy, but she was graceful and did not show any bitterness and instead was seeking solutions to end the genocides of not only her people but others too.

I was tensed up for a few moments and quickly recovered. Who will speak for Muslims that condemn these cults? How do we communicate, why did I not seek to speak?  Then the big relief came when I saw Zainab Al-Suwaij’s name on the list and she spoke, Muslims need to be a part of the society in good times and sad times.

Since there was no room for others to speak or comment, I was hesitant, but doing the right thing is the right thing to do. I asked Prof Robert Destro to speak for a minute and he granted the request, and I respectfully kept it to the minute. I said, “I just want to share that the American Muslims have dedicated a Friday Sermon and prayed for Yazidis, Christians and Shia and Muslims are constantly standing up for human rights of others”. Here are the two articles in Huffington post.

Destro concluded something to this effect, “More Muslims are victimized and slaughtered by ISIS than the others, and we are all in this together against the ISIS.” The event was orderly and no one took more than the allotted time.

Full article and pictures at: http://worldmuslimcongress.org/the-isis-genocide-of-yazidi-christians-and-shia/

What is the Muslim Priority?

All the wealth we have and continue to devour is meaningless if that is not going to give a sense of security to us, our kids and grand kids. If we don’t act now, we may not even sleep in our graves in peace.  Money does not buy security we need to quit being materialistic. It is time for Muslims to put a hold on building a mosque, and focus on doing things that bring long term security through building relationships. Once you are secure and others are equally secure, then do whatever you want, everyone will join you.

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. Take a look at the list of things we are doing at the Center for Pluralism.

Unless we are a part of the society, we will always remain on the sidelines.  You have to feel in your guts, this is my land.  Take a look at our events and participate, volunteer and sponsor them.

Please visit: http://centerforpluralism.com/program/

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

PLEASE DONATE GENEROUSLY

Meanwhile, please make a generous donation – without your donation we cannot do the work we are doing.  As we receive the funds, you will be acknowledged and list of donors over $100 will be published at the Center for Pluralism on July 1, 2017.  https://www.paypal.me/AmericansTogether

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
Center for Pluralism | Research and Activism
(214) 325-1916 | Washington DC | Mike@Centerforpluralism.com

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/

# # #
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