Standing up for others: 2010

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Quran (Koran) Conference in Dallas, an American effort to build cohesive societies

The Conference puts a Quraan in the hands of panelists made up of Pastors, Rabbis, Pundits, Shamans, lay persons, elected officers and the public. It is to demystify the myths about Quraan and Islam. An American effort to build cohesive societies.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct 10, 2010 - DALLAS, TEXAS - The Foundation for Pluralism and the World Muslim Congress have announced a conference on Quraan in Dallas to be held between 3:00 PM and 6 PM on Sunday, December 5, 2010 at the Unity Church of Dallas.

Representing the organizations, Mike Ghouse adds, "As members of diverse family of faiths, we seek to demystify the myths and falsification of our respective faiths. It is time for all of us to gather and understand the Qur'aan, the holy book of Muslims, which has been the subject of attack by a few among us. Indeed, the conference is a positive response to negative sermons delivered from a few pulpits of America this year."

The uniqueness of the event is highlighted by facing the "terrifying passages" of Quraan. For the first time in history, the actual verses from Quraan will be read directly and explained by non-Muslim panelists made up of Pastors, Rabbis, Pundits, Shamans, Clergy, lay persons and elected officials who have a deep interest in bringing Americans together on common grounds. The Muslim scholars either affirm their reading or refer to the Quraan for further understanding. It would be indeed a first hand educational experience.

It is time now to replace the ill-will with goodwill; no American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other. The purpose of this conference is to remove such myths in an open forum in the public and restore the cohesiveness of our society and work towards building a safe and secure America.

Bring your children to experience the multi-cultural costumes in a designated room for them.

Refreshments will be served after the event.

THE EVENT IS FREE

Please R.S.V.P. to confirmattendance@gmail.com
Direct your inquiries to QuraanConference@gmail.com .

For details visit website http://www.quraanconference.com/

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker, writer, optimist, educator and an activist of Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam and Civil Societies. He heads the Foundation for Pluralism and World Muslim Congress and offers Pluralistic solutions to the media and the public on issues of the day. Mike's work is reflected at three websites & twenty two Blogs listed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Qur’aan Conference, an American event

Qur’aan Conference, an American event

From times immemorial Religion has been “abused” and “misused” to someone gain, usually for controlling others. Are we going to let that happen? As Americans, we can pull ourselves together and not fall for the temptations to divide ourselves. No American has to live in fear of the other, nor live in anxieties or discomfort.

All our faiths reinforce the creed of "One Nation under God, with liberty and justice for all.” Details at http://www.quraanconference.com/

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

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Standing up for Muslims

http://groundzeromosque.blogspot.com/2010/09/i-want-mosque-built-on-ground-zero.html

Standing up for Sikhs

Standing up for Sikhs

1) France 2) Afghanistan -

Standing up for Muslim Women's rights

Standing up for Muslim Women's rights

1) Burqa
2) Adultery

Standing up for Zoroastrians

Standing up for Zoroastrians
Farohar Symbol
Iranian harassment

Standing up for Buddhists

Standing up for Buddhists
Destruction of Biman Statues

Standing up for Muslims

Standing up for Muslims
Destruction of Babri Mosque
Ground Zero

Standing up for Wicca

Standing up for Wicca

Rights to bury in Arlington Cemetery

Standing up for Jews

Many many incidents and events... I will write up as the time permits
Some of the stuff is at www.HolocaustandGenocides.com

Standing up for Palestinians

Standing up for Palestinians
Gaza Rally, prayers for peace, reflections on violations

Standing up for Bosnians

Standing up for Bosnians

I vividly recall the callous attitude of a Russian Journalist and Phil Donahue late night - women were raped and children were shot in head...and they said something like "oh they are Muslims"... I had a auto fax from my Mac at that time, and I sent several faxes to them, the next nigh, they did not show that inhuman attitude. That was the last time I watched Phil Donahue, the man I had respected, but lost respect for him.

Standing up for Burmese people

Standing up for Burmese people

http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2007/10/stand-with-burmese-people.html

Standing up against Apostasy

Standing up against Apostasy1) Malaysia, 2) Afghanistan http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2007/05/malaysian-apostasy-case.html

Standing up for Hindus

Standing up for Hindus
List: Moscow, Trinidad, California, Lisbon, Bangladesh, Pakistan,

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2009/08/festivities-soured-by-race.html

Standing up for Others

Why should you do that?

It is inspiring to see those who stand up for others.

Standing up for others is the right thing to do, every human goes through a period of invincibility to vulnerability, if we don't stand up for those who are vulnerable, then who will stand up for us when we are vulnerable?

Father Moon emphasizes the idea, "Living for the sake of others" indeed there is a lot of wisdom in it as Martin Niemoller also reflects it in his eternal poem, "first they came for the Jews, I wasn't a Jew, so I did not say a thing, then they came for Communists, I didn't care, I wasn't a communist, then he concludes, then they came for me and it shattered me to know that there was no one left to speak up for me."

The idea of alms, charity, taking care of the elderly, weak, sick and the children is a common theme in every religious tradition. It is indeed an insurance for every one's well being. I cannot be at peace when others around me aren't, and hence it behooves me to take care of the ones who need assistance.

Admiring Father Moon, I have stood up for Jews, Catholics, Ahmadiyyas, Immigrants, Hindus, Falun Dafa, Zoroastrians, Muslims, Native Americans, Christians, Baha'i, Wicca, Sikh and other identities of humanity. It is the right thing to do.
On Saturday, September 4, 2010 in Houston at the interfaith symposium at the Ahmadiyya Mosque, I quoted Father Moon's drive, "Living for the sake of others" and expanded on it. We don't have to do it for God, or even claim it to be the noble" thing to do. We have to do it, because it is the right thing to do. That is also the wisdom from Bhagvad Gita. Keep doing the work and let the creator decide which way it goes, but don't look for the fruit, your job is to just do it.

Twice in my life I have seen Mahatma Gandhi, the first time was when I was in College around 1971, when Mahatma Gandhi, the vice-chancellor of Bangalore University Sri V. Narsimaiah and I were having a dinner together and Mahatma puts his hands on my shoulders and says, "tujhe bahut kaam karna hai beta", you have a lot of work to do son, and again around 2003, he appears in my dreams and with the same affectionate hand (as my Dad's), he pats on my back, "you have to do it"... the only thing I consistently get from this message was the work of Pluralism, help me God, I am committed to do.

Today, I received a note from John Halsey, Dallas ACLC (American Clergy leadership conference) how we would not let go of a Minister's negative remarks towards Muslims. Then the thought of putting together some the of work I have done came to my mind, and here it is, by the next week, I will have most of the work listed. Thank you John.

I am pleased to be a part of Dallas Peace Center and it feels like home to me, every one around is about justice and peace and that is such a hope giving environment to witness.