Louisville Eid Celebrations, Prayers, Misogyny, Urdu and the film.

www.TheGhouseDiary.com
URL - http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2014/07/louisville-eid-celebrations-prayers.html

Despite the problems in the world, life should go on!  Our kids need to see the problems but must be taught to move on in life and learn to create a better world through such experiences. 

Perhaps, we can cherish what we have done in raising our kids to be friendly with fellow kids regardless of their religion, race, ethnicity or other uniqueness. Indeed, that is the very first model of citizenship that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) initiated; he was called Amin, a sum total  of many qualities among them are the truth teller, honest, unbiased, non-judgmental,  trustworthy, caring and respectful of his neighbors; Jews, Christians, Pagans and others at that time.  Very few of us want our kids to be bigots, and almost all of us want our kids to grow up with an open mind and an open heart. Thank God for that.

Most Parents want their kids to have a better life, and they fix them up with material things. I hope they fix them with things that will make them a better and caring human as well. 

At this time, I am concerned about the ugliness of a few Jewish and Palestinian parents who teach hatred towards the other. Man, they are messing up their kids, when they grow up they will have difficulty in working and relating with normal people. I hope it becomes a norm with the Jewish and the Palestinian parents in the conflict zones to teach their children about the suffering, and I pray that the Jewish and Muslim parents don’t screw up their kid’s life by injecting hatred for each other and I pray that the kids will reject their parents hatred for the other. Parents may have had a bad time, should they make it bad for their children too? I pray not. 

Indeed, life is a gift of God and we have to do everything to preserve it, and express our gratitude for what we have, and pray for those who lost the loved ones and all their life time’s love of labor in the ongoing conflicts, wars, massacres and genocides.  

This Ramadan has been a blessing, none of the Mosques I have been to in the last 30 days, none, not one of them preached hatred towards any, and they simply prayed for the victims. I hope the same is true in our churches, synagogues and other places, as I intend to visit them and hope to find goodness in the places of worship..  Article at Oped News  

Now coming to this Eid - I have lost the desire to take pictures; I just took a few even though camera was with me in the car or on the shelf at home.  But it was good to see every one appreciate the blessings of Ramadan while praying for the well beings of the victims of the conflicts.

CELEBRATIONS

It was good to visit a few friends’ homes for the Eid, a beautiful tradition that most of us have brought forward. We also stopped by at the River Road Mosque; it was good to see families gather there on a social basis. Eid is a time to catch up with most people. Great food everywhere, and finally we had our family gathering at home, and Yasmeen cooked some of the most fabulous dishes. 

MISOGYNY

I am sensitive to bias, prejudices, misogyny, racism, Islamophobia, Anti-Semitism, Anti-Hinduism, homophobia and other evils of the society. My antennas pick up the tiniest vibrations and I speak out.  Check out Ramadan’s Pluralism Message. 

The convention center was a great place to accommodate the Muslims of Greater Louisville and loved the open hall - with no wall separating men and women although they were in two different sections. I did not take pictures, but the arrangement was good. 

The Imam who delivered the sermon at the convention center was good, but for the insensitive misogynistic comment. He began his talk by addressing the women, asking them to quit talking and control their kids…. That is awful! Only women talk? Where does he live? Men gossip and chatter as much as women do in our society, and children are equally managed by either parent; it’s just not the mothers.  

I talked to the Imam after the prayers, and asked him not to be misogynistic in the future. He can always address the noise makers, whoever they are, but not point to a group of people; in this case women – that is stereotyping.  By the way, this is the men thing, and men from every faith, race and ethnicity are guilty of it, and I visit every place of worship from Aztecs to Zoroastrians and every one in between, the story is the same. All we can do is take corrective steps. Indeed, Islam teaches us to give dignity to every woman and a child, and we must.  We need a sensitivity training for men.

APPKI

Someday, when I have a little time, I would like to know more about APPKI, an organization that I have come to admire. I just found out that Dr. Aftab Ahmed was also one of the founders of the APPKI. You guys and gals are blessed ones to have open hearts and minds, keep it up. Indeed, it was Jinnah’s dream to have a Pakistan or its representation to be inclusive of ever Pakistani regardless of his or her faith or ethnicity and you guys have done it. This note is an update to the article I wrote about APPKI at Huffington post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/the-pakistani-american-do_b_5323434.html 

URDU

I am pleased to commence a monthly or bi-monthly informal gathering to exchange poetry and literature in Urdu and Hindi languages. The first session would be at Yasmeen’s house on Wednesday 7-8:30, tea and light refreshments will be served and we can rotate this in different homes. It will be intellectually refreshing to have a gathering like this. But please RSVP by texting me at (214) 325-1916, I don’t want to have 50 friends over and not be ready for it.

THE FILM – FLAMES OF PASSION

Produced by America Together Foundation, a non-profit organization. 


The Film is based on a successful real life event about ordinary people effecting extraordinary changes. It is a story about skillfully managing conflicting issues of safety of Americans overseas, upholding freedom of speech, improving perceptions about Islam and preserving sanctity of religions.

The film depicts human fears, apprehensions; thrill seeking, suspense, drama, romance, disappointments and the role of justice during the attempted Quran burning event in Mulberry, Florida.

It is an epitome of nonviolent conflict mitigation and goodwill nurturance based on the teachings of Jesus and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Hopefully the world will see a new paradigm in making; what Muslims ought to be, and how they will respond to future incidents of Quran Burning, criticism of Islam, and cartoons of the Prophet. It will be good for Muslims and good for the world. Indeed, blessed are the peacemakers.Tax deductible Donations of $1000, $5000, $10,000 or greater can be made at: http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/

THE ONLY PICTURES I TOOK THIS TIME

Mike
(214) 325-1916
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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 a book with the same title is coming up. Mike has a strong presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean 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 all his work through many links.
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Ramadan Message

I have visited every mosque of every denomination of Islam for Iftaar during Ramadan including Ahmadiyya, Bohra, Ismaili, Shia, Sunni, WD Muhammad and within Sunni many branches.  Thanks to the blessing of Allah, I have prayed in all the three Mosques that are dear to us; Kaaba, Masjid Al-Nabwi and Masjid Al-Aqsa. I have chronicled the practices of each place, both the rituals of fasting and prayers.  Each Mosque has its own culture and practices.  None of them are dramatically different but are significantly different to notice.

You will find plenty of pictures of different Mosques I have visited as well.

We have to respect each tradition and not look down or up or have the arrogance to believe that mine is the right way. Indeed arrogance is inversely proportional to piety and God consciousness where as Humility take you closer to God. 

 If we can learn to respect the otherness of others and respect the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. Then we would truly understand the vastness and diversity of Islam. It would help us look to the other with respect, and that is what Islam expects us to do.

God says, I have created all of you from the same couple, and have made you into many communities, tribes and nations.  Each one is unique and bound to have conflicts. Then he says, the best ones among you are those who take the time to understand each other, and when you understand each other, conflicts fade and solutions emerge.  Thus creating a society where no one has to live in fear of the other.  That is Islam!

God gave us  freedom, but the need to feel secure makes us violate the common good tenet and resort to “my” good causing an imbalance in the society and fear between people. However, God assures us, that because he loves us (more below), he sends us someone among us to guide us back on the righteous path, and that guidance is called Religion.

Today is the first day of Ramadan, the 9th month in the Muslim Hijri (Migration) Calendar, which began with the Muslim exodus from Mecca to the city of Madinah.

Ramadan is one of the 12 months of lunar calendar with 354.37 days in a year, as opposed to the Solar Calendar with 364+days.  However, every 33 years, the the Solar and Lunar Calendar coincide on the same day.

Like the Jewish and Hindu Festivals, Muslim festivals are based on lunar calendar, and usually begin 11 days earlier each successive year, as the lunar year has 354.37 days, roughly 11 days less than the Solar Calendar. It will take six more years for Ramadan to occur in Spring time, right now the fasting will be long for more than 14 hours a day without any intake in the body.

Ramadan should not be understood by Muslims alone, it is an observance that all can relate with. I  have put together different thoughts about Ramadan from an universal perspective, so our Hindu, Jewish, Christian, Zoroastrian, Bahai, Buddhist, Native Americans, Jain, Sikh and other  members of the family of faiths can relate with. Even those friends who do not believe in God, can at least get an idea about Ramadan, so, together we can create societies where we know each other,  and with that fewer conflicts and greater goodwill to sustain for all of us.

What does God want from us?

Like a mother who wants her children to live well, like a teacher who wants his students to do well, and like a chef who wants his patrons to enjoy his food…. God wants every one of his creation to live in harmony and do well.  

No one is deprived of God’s love; he has reached every human through a peace maker, messenger, prophet, reformer or simply a wise man or a good friend that brings sense to living. The creator offers a variety of guidance to the mankind, no matter where you live, the guidance is there, the guidance that leads to live in peace, and without fear of the other.

Religion is a beautiful instrument that God guides us through, and there are many of them, at least 250 traditions including a dozen major ones. Each tradition does well for the believer in bringing peace to oneself.

Today, the one tradition I am talking about is Islam, and one of its beautiful aspects that helps build cohesive societies is the month of Ramadan.

Ramadan Cohesion
May this Ramadan bring blessings to humanity, Amen! It is time for us to begin addressing the unity within the Muslim community and with the communities of the world for building cohesive societies, where no human has to live in apprehension or fear of the other. Let's start cleaning our hearts from prejudice and judgment against our own and everyone else. If the self appointed guardians of Islam cannot unite us to do good for humanity, let them not divide us either. Let there be no politics in religion. Let us fulfill a major task God assigns to humanity, the best among you is the one who knows each other and cares for the other. 

For the last 4 years, I have been chronicling Ramadan Daily - iftar a Masjid, visiting every denomination of Muslims without prejudice.

More about it at http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/2011/07/ramadan-cohesion-2011.html

Ramadan Mubarak

Welcome to Ramadan, it begins today, July 9th, 2013. It is the month of fasting, a month of learning about others, connecting with others, developing empathy with fellow beings and above all reaching new heights in piety and spirituality,  Taqwa as it is called. It is to become closer to God and emulate his qualities of unselfishness, forgiveness and love. It is a month of practicing service to fellow beings and developing self discipline to learn to live they way we want, and being conscious of every moment of the day for 30 days.  

The Politics of Ramadan at Washington Post

Politics plays a crucial role in our Temples, Synagogues or Churches, Mosques are no different. A few scientifically-inclined-Muslims have adopted NASA’s calculations believed to be precise. However, four different traditions are operating concurrently; i) Strictly Calendar, ii) NASA and iii) Sighting with bare eyes and iv) sighting by others in the community.

Muslims around the world will begin fasting from Tuesday, July 9th, and for a whole month thereafter, however, for some of them it will begin (only) if the moon is sighted. The story is same with the Jewish and other traditions that follow lunar calendar. Rosh Hashanah like Ramadan comes 11 or 12 days earlier each successive year. Continued at - http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2010/08/the_essence_of_ramadan_is_to_become_humble.html

The Spirit of Ramadan at Huffington Post

The spiritual masters have captured the human gravity towards rituals and have molded it with the art and science of self-discipline in their respective religions. The noble purpose of each one of them was to bring a balance in our lives and a balance with our environment.

Every faith is composed of a set of unique rituals to bring discipline and peace to human life. Fasting is one of the five key rituals that Muslims around the world observe. Rituals signify the milestones of our daily life. Every significant moment of the day is a ritual. It is an unwritten way of measuring our progression, a memory pattern to bring discipline to our actions. Continued http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/spirit-of-ramadan_b_939961.html

The Traditions of Ramadan at Ramadan Exclusive

its celebration time when Muslims around the world anxiously wait for the first moon of the ninth Lunar month to appear on the sky. The families gather in their backyards, or get on the nearest hillock or climb on the top of their homes and wait for the pencil thin moon to appear on the horizon, and when it does, jubilation begins. Continued at: http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/2010/09/traditions-of-ramadan.html

Welcome to Ramadan at Ramadan Exclusive

Insha’Allah, the first day of Ramadan will begin on Tuesday, July 09, 2013 and Eid al-Fitr on Sunday, August 19, 2012 per the announcement from ISNA. Continued at: http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/2012/06/welcome-to-ramadan-2012.html

Quraan says, had God willed, he would have made every one of us alike - then he says, he chose to make us into different tribes and nations from the same couple (or the same source). Then he goes on to challenge us to know each other - he knows that our conflicts stem from not knowing each other, and living with misinformation about others,  when we know each other,  conflicts fade and solutions will emerge.

Every religion means peace and Justice and that is acceptable to God. He says, you need not worry who you are, as long as you take care of your neighbor, I will recompense you. Each one of us is responsible for our Karma.

He concludes ( Quraan 49:13) that the best among us is the one who knows each other, learns about each other and respects each other. If we take the time, to learn, every religion is out there to bring goodness to humanity.

Be good to yourselves and every one around you. Happy Ramadan.

Mike Ghouse is committed to nurturing the pluralistic values of Islam and welcomes everyone to explore Www.worldMuslimCongress.org and several related sites listed at www.MikeGhouse.net and www.TheGhousediary.com

Thank God, I am alive today - its' a new Ramadan experience for me

THANK GOD, I AM ALIVE TODAY - ITS NEW LEASE ON MY LIFE 

On Tuesday morning, the Farmers Branch paramedics team responded to my 911 call, and within 30 minutes they had me on the ER table, and the good doctors unclogged the artery and placed a stent to keep the blood flowing. Doctor Siddiqi said another 30 minutes would have been too late, and I would have gone!

It was the severe chest pain coupled with sweating that got me alarmed. I didn't want to call any one that early, but texted my friend Adil,  he was driving out of town and thanks to him for suggesting to call 911, and after debating within, I reluctantly made the call,  it was the right thing to do. If you or your loved ones were in a similar situation, please don't hesitate to call 911. 

Father Daughter

God willing, I will be active in a few days, meanwhile I ask you to strengthen your existing relationships with your loved ones. Don't know who is going to go when. Let’s be good to fellow beings and live a regret free life, at least from here forwards. I request you to forgive my shortcomings and excesses.

Thank you for your friendship.

PERSONAL SIDE

Continued: http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/07/thank-god-i-am-alive-today-new.html

Thanks to Yasmeen for her persistent push for me to lose weight, indeed, I owe her a big thank you for getting me down from 215# to 190#, at one time I had gone down to 179#, today I'm 189. She has set a goal of 175# for me, and I will listen to her dutifully now, and enjoy the dieted delicious foods she will be fixing for me.

One of the best things that has happened to me is the time I am getting to spend with my grown up daughter, son, daughter in law and my 15 day old grand baby Jayden. Mina, my daughter is with me for the last four days, and will be with me for another week. I did not realize she is so caring, loving and responsible to keep me on tract from medicine to food to driving me around. I am looking forward to two weeks of heaven with my kids; this is one of the biggest joys of my life. Then I will be heading to Yasmeen and spend another week or two with her before I get back to normal working, speaking and writing. 

Thanks to Dr. Amer Shakil for treating me some five years ago, and then Dr. Asifa Ijaz. I wish I had listened to them, and continued with the medication they had prescribed. If you are like me, don't act like me, please listen to your doctor.  

On Tuesday morning on July 9, cold sweat flipped me upside down.  I got up earlier than I had planned on getting up for my first suhoor (early meal to commence fasting) of Ramadan due to massive chest pain, it was early in the morning and did not want to call anyone, and I thought it would go away from aspirin... It did not. So, I reluctantly called 911.

While waiting for the ambulance, an old scene returned to my mind, way back in mid sixties, I had fallen from a tree and had recited a few verses from Qur’an (Ayatul Kursi, Fatiha, and Ikhlas) thrice in less than thirty seconds while I was unconscious (my friends told me that).  Even though I consider myself a rationalist, I still cannot figure out how I was able to recite all that in such a short period of time. Once again, on Tuesday morning, I repeated that recitation while waiting for the paramedics. 

At 11:13 PM on Monday night, I "started" the 1st day of Ramadan note and posted at www.ramadandaily.com, this would have been the 4th year of writing about Ramadan, everything you wanted to know about Ramadan.  Thank God, I have been able to visit every mosque of every denomination during Ramadan with a determined purpose of learning and sharing the uniqueness of each tradition with the other without prejudice. The more we know about the other, the lesser biased we would be, and subsequently free ourselves from the evil of prejudice. 

I urge every religious person of every faith, particularly the ones who are biased towards others, or the ones hung up with others to make an effort to enjoy true freedom and liberation from hate and ill will by learning about the other, until you find good positive information. 

My first Iftaar (breaking of fast) was going to be with Dr. Imam Yusuf Zia Kavakci at the Richardson Mosque. Dr Kavakci is a man I greatly respect and have consistently mentioned and written about him for the great qualities of a Muslim he is blessed with. The last time we met was about two weeks ago at Zahra Khan's funeral (my friend Adil's 19 year old angel, who is considered Shaheed, God's favorite person as she died with cancer) a week ago, Dr. Kavakci gave me a special hug, a very affectionate one like my father, and said a lot of nice things in public prior to the prayer, it meant a lot to me.  

This is my first RAMADAN in four years; I won't be able to do anything. However,  if you have an interest in learning about the spirituality, traditions and politics of Ramadan, please visit www.RamadanDaily.com. Even though I won't be fasting and visiting mosques this season, I'll still continue to write about different aspects of Ramadan. 

Thru the grace of God, I am alive today with a renewed mission to follow the teachings of my mentors; Prophet Muhammad, Jesus, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. 

I am committed to do the following to the best of my ability;

1. To be the Amin - the truthful, trustworthy and an instrument of safeness to fellow Americans. 

2. To be a conflict mitigater and a goodwill nurturer 

3. To be “just" in every aspect of life 

4. To live with an open heart and an open mind towards fellow beings, 

5. To Stand up for others.

6. To work on fixing the ill practices of individuals within my religion; Islam

7. To work on fixing the ill practices of individuals within my Party; GOP

May Allah guide me to remain on the path and I appreciate your support in moving forward. Thank God, I have no religious, political or national walls between me and another individual, and it's good to be free.

The Spiritual freedom is indeed the greatest achievement in one’s life and it sticks to you. Those of us, who can free ourselves from ill-will, malice, hate, tension, pain, anxiety, apprehension, hostility, stress, strain and conflicts, are showered with blessings of peace and joy.  It is good to be free. 

Blessed are the peacemakers.

Mike Ghouse

www.mikeghouse.net 

Mike

(214) 325-1916

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Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work and social settings. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a strong presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show and the O'Reilly Factor 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 everything you want to know about him. 

2013 Ramadan - Join us to visit a Mosque a day, and every denomination

My fasting and my prayers are my business, and I am accountable for my own actions and not others', none whatsoever.  Here is my schedule for Ramadan this year, the fourth year with an intention to visit every possible Mosque and every possible denomination.However, to encourage understanding of others, I am writing this Blog with the intent of developing Intra-faith relationships. Each one of our denomination sticks to its own folks, and that is just fine, but unless we know about each other, we will always live in myths, distrust, and fear of others, other Muslims in this case. 

Islamophobia is a great example, Muslims know very well that the Neocon fears have no basis, but they simply get hyped up. Phobias do exist, and that is what makes them say stupid things. Aren't Muslims guilty of the same?

The rifts created by a few religious leaders among different Muslim denomination is disgusting, do we need to continue to subscribe to it or cut it out, right now?

If the leaders cannot unite us for doing good, they should not divide us either. Look at the non-sense propagated between Shia, Sunni, Ahmadiyya and others... 

Knowing each other does not imply that you  jump in and do what others do, or denigrate their others practices, it simply means you learn about others and accept them as they are. 

God has created each one of us and asks us know and learn about each other. Knowledge leads to understanding and understanding to acceptance of a different point of view and respecting the otherness of other amounts to honoring God, for it is he who created diversity intentionally. Indeed, knowing each other mitigates conflicts and nurtures goodwill resulting in peaceful societies. (Reference Quraan 49:13).

True fasting is self-purification; and from this, a rich inner life brings about values such as justice, generosity, patience, kindness, forgiveness, mercy and empathy - values that are indispensable for the success of the community.Consciousness of behavior and vigilance over action are the most profound dimensions of fasting: the fasting of the heart focuses on the attachment to the divine.

That is when Ramadan really becomes a source of peace and solace, just as Christmas goes beyond the rituals to bring forth kindness, charity and caring. For fasting to be truly universal, its benefits must extend beyond the fraternal ties of Muslims and must extend to forging a common humanity with others. Fasting is meant to impart a sense of what it means to be truly human, and its universality is reflected by its observance in Bahai, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Sikh, Wiccan, Zoroastrian, other faiths and importantly the native traditions.

This year again,  Insha Allah I will visit different Mosques. Mind you, each mosque within each denomination has slightly different practices, we have to have a big heart to respect their practices, if not what is the difference between you, me and a bigot? 

Alhamdu Lillah, I have been blessed to pray in all the three holy place of Muslims; Mecca, Medina and Aqsa, as well as the dome of the rock, and am looking forward, Insha Allah to visit all the holy Places of Muslims (not necessarily Islam, the religion).

You are welcome to join me by texting or talking at (214) 325-1916, at least an hour before iftaar, as I intend to shut down the phone.

HERE IS MY TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
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01. Tuesday, July 9 | 5:07 AM - 8:38 PM - Richardson Mosque
02. Wednesday, July 10 | 5:07 AM - 8:38 PM  
03. Thursday, July 11 | 5:08 AM - 8:37 PM
04. Friday, July 12 | 5:08 AM - 8:37 PM - 
05. Saturday, July 13 | 5:09 AM - 8:37 PM
06. Sunday, July 14 | 5:10 AM - 8:36 PM

Ramadan day 12 my office

Title - Ramadan day 12 my office  

Date - Tuesday, July 31, 2012 | Ramadan12, 1433

Mosque (not a Mosque) - World Muslim Congress

Address - 2665 Villa Creek Drive, Suite 206, Dallas, TX 75234

Website -   www.WorldMuslimCongress.org

29 Mosques - 29 days of Ramadan at:  www.RamadanDaily.com
Link to this Article - http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/2012/08/ramadan-day-12-my-office.html

Today’s Pictures: No Pictures
 Iftaar Time today: 8:31 PM CST

Recommended reading listed below the note

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Today, on the eve of 12th Iftaar, I chose to stay in the office, Insha Allah, I will visit at least 25 Mosques this month. A few volunteers joined me during Iftaar to discuss the 8^th Annual Unity Day USA to be held on Tuesday, September 11, 2012. We hope to invite a 1000 people; the last highest attendance was 650. This is an event that brings people of all faiths, races and ethnicities together as a step towards building a cohesive America.  Please visit www.unitydayusa.com for details.

Muslim families serving - 12 year old Zahra Cheema writes (story below)

At the Unity Day, we recognize and appreciate up to 7 individuals  a year who have gone out of their way to build bridges among Americans of all hues. Indeed, it is our duty to honor and cherish those individuals who have dedicated their lives for the purpose.  Here is a list of 22 individuals in the last 7 years.

Hon. Len Ellis, Hon. MaryAnn Thompson-Frenk, Dr. Imam Zia Shaikh, Pastor George Mason, Dr. Harbans Lal, Rev. Bill Matthews, Hon. Muriel Pinkus, Rev. Bob Roberts, Bishop Mark Hernandez, Dr. Basheer Ahmed, Hon. Jeff Weiss, Hon. Bob Ray Sanders, Hon. Julie Ann Turner, Hon. John Hammond, Hon. Jonathan Halsey, Hon. Steve Blow, Dr. Rev. Petra Weldes, Hon. Marzuk Jaami and Alexis Yancey, Hon. Late Elliott Dlin, Dr. Robert Hunt, Hon. Sam Hodges, and Hon. Daisy Khan. 

This year on Tuesday, September 11, we have another great individual from the Muslim community who will be recognized and 5 others from Hindu, Jewish, Christian and other communities.

We have just begun the process of serving the nation in every which way we can and have ways to go. We have to be a part of the society; a well integrated society is good for every one of its inhabitants in the long run. Please don’t look to the government or me to do it (as some do, I am simply a volunteer and don’t get paid for any one to demand), you do your share and take pride in it.  

To paraphrase President John Kennedy, “Ask not what the country can do for you, ask yourselves, what you can do for the country”. It should resonate with Muslims strongly, ask not what the Prophet can do for you, ask yourselves what you can do for the community, not just Muslim but every American; it’s the free will we are blessed with. God tells us to be individually responsible for our acts,  and we  will be accountable for it individually, and on the Day of the Judgment we are on our own. The best ones among us are those who care for their neighbors.  

HOW ARE WE SERVING

We have regular free Medical clinics in most cities in America. In Dallas/ Fort Worth area we have three regular clinics to serve Americans. While the Al-Shifa and Richardson Mosque clinics offer free outpatient checkups, the Ismaili clinic offers extensive services for a small fee to be self operating with full time nurses and the staff. Several other mosques have started smaller clinics. It was an idea that began in the early Muslim societies and gaining momentum in America now, thanks to the Muslim Doctors to do their share in providing medical care to the un-insured.

 I do urge Muslims in every City in USA and Canada to write up about their community, an effort must be made such as the following note. Don’t ask the organizations to do it, they have plenty of work to do, ask yourselves what can you do about it, and just do it. We will be happy to share it at the WorldMuslimCongress@yahoogroups.com a service forum about co-existence and at the WorldMuslimCongress.org. Alhamdu Lillah, many a magazines and Journals around the world are republishing the material including ones in Somalia. In the past, Tehran Times, and Jakarta Post have picked a few of the pieces as well as Arab News has published many of the pieces from here. I have mentioned about Ramadan in Dallas Morning News in my article today. 

As an example of expressing to encourage others to do the same, here is a 12 year old Zahra Cheema, who writes to her Dad Tariq.

“AA Baba 
On Saturday, July 29th, Mama, Ibrahim, Bhaijaan, & I went to a Church called "Holy Ghost Church". The reason we went was to volunteer in serving food to the homeless. When mama told us that she signed us up, I was pleased because I've never volunteered in anything exactly like this. It seemed really interesting, & something new I would love to participate in. 

So when we arrived there, a man guided us to the kitchen & on our way in, there were so many mats on the ground & their we're people sleeping/sitting on them. When I saw that they must've spent the night, I thought it was really kind that the Church was letting the homeless stay overnight. We got to the kitchen, & greeted the Auntie that was hosting the event, & right away, I helped her daughter load eggs into a pot before putting it on the stove ready to boil. 

The kitchen wasn't modern at all, so everyone had to do more things manually. Yet still everyone had smiling faces and were happy to help out the less fortunate. The breakfast was a nice typical American breakfast. It consisted of, pancakes, hash browns, different types of fruits, & other sides to go with. Each person was also given out a goody bag with treats in them. After the food was served on a buffet-style table, I started to wash the dishes with Mama. 

While we were washing, the boys' we're helping pick-up, wash,wipe, & dry each mat. They had to fold the pillows & blankets in a bag. & they sweeper the whole floor while They were eating. The boys did a lot of physical work. Then, mama & I went out of the kitchen to see what was going on. We saw the volunteers pouring the food into each of their plates. It made me happy to see that these people got to eat a generous ammount & fill their small stomachs. 

What made me sad/sorry was when I saw a family with a couple, & about 4 children. I thought to myself how hard it must be to have to worry about your 4 children eating everyday. I wondered if this was the only proper breakfast these people were eating all week. “

I am sure you have a story to share, start writing as simple as Zahra has done, ask your kids to do it. They are more expressive than we were at their age, at least that is the case with me.

On the interfaith front, we don’t frequent Churches, Synagogues, Temples and Gurudwaras, as we invite others to join us; we need to visit them as well.

IMAM AND A PASTOR

A pastor in Dallas is observing 30 days of fasting, as a way to connect with Muslims and feel the spiritual part of fasting. Thank God, the public radio in Dallas broadcasted the interview of Dr.  Wes McGruder of Rowlett and Imam Yaseen of Plano. Here is the pod cast - 

http://npr.vo.llnwd.net/kip0/kip0/_pxn=1+_pxI0=A65943+_pxL0=begin+_pxM0=+_pxR0=14312+_pxK=10412+_pxE=mp3/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/77/510036/157672917/KERA_157672917.mp3

MUSLIMS OBSERVING LENT 

For your information, many a Muslims are reciprocating it as well, albeit with criticism. We cherish others when they do our stuff and I hope we can do the same when our folks do the stuff for others.  I thank Allah for giving me the guidance to set a few stretched benchmarks - observing lent, commemorating Holocaust, Baptized on the spot where Jesus was baptized and visiting Krishn’s birth place among many other things.   Alhamdu Lillah, as a Muslim, I have been standing up for every community and Insha Allah, my dream is to serve every human without reserve or hesitation.

We do have volunteer at various Mosques that have done the work for Habitat for Humanity, soup Kitchens, feeding the homeless, but the burden is on a few, who keep doing again and again. I hope we all make a concerted effort to encourage volunteerism.  Our Imams hold the key in changing our perceptions through encouragement to volunteer.

We have to compile all our works together, to encourage more to participate and volunteer in building an America that is good for every American.

If we can raise or invest the funds, we can get a National Muslim paper to update every one about everything we do, and need to do. 

Indeed, of the many things we do, we have dedicated this day to bring Americans together and rededicate our pledge to the safety of America.

Are Muslims a part of the American society?
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/10/are-muslims-part-of-american-story.html

Please do visit the site www.unitydayusa.com , the words are few, but look at the impact it will have on the society in making America a beautiful nation for everyone.

If you wish to volunteer, sponsor or be a part of the event, please visit www.UnitydayUSA.com

Jazak Allah Khair

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Please mark your calendar for the Unity Day USA, a positive event that brings all Americans Together to rededicate our pledge for a peaceful, prosperous and secure America. We are a part of America and we need to feel and live it.  If you liked some of the article, you will like the description of Unity Day USA at www.UnityDayUSA.com

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A few other Articles to read if you have the time:

What does God really want?

 http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/2012/07/happy-ramadan-what-does-god-really-want.html

A Muslim observing the lent:
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/happy-easter.html

Quraan conference, dealing with mis-translated verses of Quraan
http://quraanconference.blogspot.com/2012/07/pastor-robert-jeffress-ingnites-quraan.html

A call from God to know each other 
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/01/mission-of-world-muslim-congress.html

Please visit http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/ for a record since 2010.

MikeGhouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike 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 and regularly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.comis updated daily.