Texas Mawlid Celebrations – Inter and Intrafaith event

John Esposito delivered the key note address on Prophet Muhammad and Social justice, it was an incredible speech, it was home to me, and indeed,  it was about Pluralism and creating cohesive societies. He addressed social justice emphasized in Qura‘an, and from the acts and talks of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), about taking care of widows, orphans, the oppressed, the voiceless and the slaves. The prophet had said, the least you can do is to speak up.

Dr. Esposito explored the concept of Zakat and how it serves social justice in providing patient care, education and food for the needy,  and pulling up the one’s in the ditches. A society functions well when all are on a level playing field.

It was a thrill to hear him talk about the idea of Ummah; the community. Prophet meant inclusive of all people in Medina, be it a Jew, Christian or the other, they were his Ummah, the fellow citizens.

He talked about the respect established in Qur’an for the Jews, Christians and others (I am glad he used the word other to mean all others, as opposed to limiting the embrace). One of the most pluralistic phrases used was “Ahle-Kitaab” meaning the people of the book to refer to the communities existent at that time. He expanded on the specific words in Qur’an assuring Jews, Christians and others that they will have the rewards for the good they do to the fellow beings. God says, one need not worry no matter what faith they follow. 

Dr. Esposito further emphasized the Golden rule, think for your brother what you want for yourselves, a great stabilizer of the society.

Muslims need to get out and be a part of the society to feel that sense of belonging.  It was a hard hitting speech on the need to know each other, which is the mission statement of World Muslim Congress as well.  I really wish Muslims take a sabbatical and question and learn Islam from a critical point of view to appreciate the goodness relgion can bring to humanity instead of fighting who is and who is not a Muslim.

This is not a Muslim issue, it‘s a humanity issue, every community and faith goes through the stage one time or the other. He shared his time of life when Catholics did not sit down and carried a conversations with the Protestants, and the questions they had to endure when they had to meet the Presbyterians in the basement of a Methodist Church.  Dr. Esposito, being a Catholic, poked fun at Rev. Roberts who is a Baptist, and who got even with him when his turn came. The difficulties Christians face about acknowleding each other within is similar to the Muslims denominations.

During the reception, Dr. Esposito and I had a conversation about Pluralism. Dr. Esposito wanted to know what prompted me to study, write and speak on pluralism. I gave him a short version; like all the great men, he got me talking, where as I wanted to ask him the questions and learn his motivations, I am glad he held it out about him, but shared it during his speech.

John, next time you cannot make it to a program like this, please let me know, God willing, I will deliver the same speech, word for word, that’s what I have been writing for the last twenty years, pluralism and pluralism in Islam, justice and building cohesive societies. I am going to hold off reading your book, lest you accuse me that I lifted the material from your work. LOL! We have that many similarities!

Thanks for agreeing to write the foreword to my upcoming book, the book about Pluralism in America with a focus on Muslim participation in building a cohesive America. What an honor it is, to have the world’s renowned scholar write the foreword for my book. I am thrilled with this understanding. Also I want to thank Bob Roberts for doing the same. The book will be presented to you for review in Mid-March.

Dr. Maulana Irtiza Naqvi

Maulana Irtiza Naqvi delivered his key note in the 2nd part of the program, which was in Urdu language. It was a joy to hear him speak on the role of fear and its contribution towards injustice in the society. He started out saying, when are strangers, fear grips us in every aspect of the life. Because we don’t know about the other person or group, we stereotype about them, develop myths and phobias and propagate falsities about others. Prophet Muhammad was there to remove those fears through the idea of knowing each other (Quran 49:13).

The Maulana explained the meaning of Momin, and that was brilliant! A Momin is someone one who protects, God is a Momin, and he quotes a verse from Qur’an… ‘Quddusul, mominul, muheminual…” from among God’s names. God gives protection and if we become like him, with no regard to religion or race, then we can become a Momin, where others can trust us, and when there is trust in the society, all things will go well, and justice becomes its outcome.

As a speaker and a writer on Pluralism, Islam and Justice, this is a fodder to me. I was excited when he related the story of Hazrat Bilal from a social justice point of view. Prophet said, no longer a slave is a slave, and he put Bilal on the highest pedestal by asking Bilal to be the prayer caller (Muezzin), so others can believe in equality, that we are equal regardless of our status or color of the skin, and that we have equal opportunity.  Indeed, President Obama fulfilled that dream of the prophet for every man to be equal; and that no one is superior to the other. To the fools out there, no, Obama is not a Muslim, neither was Gandhi, MLK, Mandela or Lincoln who all fought for social justice and worked for equal rights of all humanity.   

Maulana Naqvi talked about the idea of Aalameen. Indeed, there is so much good happening simultaneously out there. I hope to hear him talk about the need for us to be Mukhlooqul Aalameen (universal beings) as a corollary and extrapolation to Rabbul (Creator) Aalameen, and Rahmatul (mercy) Aalameen.  It was so exciting, that I gave him my business card, on the back of which reads “we have to build a cohesive America, where no American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other” and “if we can learn to respect the otherness of others, and accept the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge and finally to be a Muslim is to be a peacemaker, one who seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for the peaceful existence of humanity” And I was glad to see him read it as well.

Huffington post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/how-i-connect-with-prophet-muhammad_b_2547782.html

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Criticism of Islam, Prophet and free speech

Islam is not going anywhere; prophet is not going anywhere, and by opening ourselves up to criticism, we will learn a lot more about our faith than we would ever know. We need to move away from intolerance to acceptance of a different point of view without having to agree with it. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) lived through it and Muslims can learn from his examples. Continued: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/11/criticism-of-islam-prophet-muhammad.html

 Muhammad the Peacemaker, how does he fit in the role of a peacemaker?

15 of his life examples that go towards building a cohesive society, where no human has to live in anxiety, discomfort and fear of the other by respecting the otherness of others and respecting the God given uniqueness of each one of, when we do that, conflicts fade and solution emerge.

Conducting a Civil Dialogue

The following Chapter (Sura) from Qur’an addresses the believers (in other systems) in the most dignified way, putting every one on par without putting anyone down. It is an exceptional example of civil conduct for one to follow. No where in this chapter it claims the faith of Muslims to be superior and other’s to be inferior. This chapter is about consciously nurturing civility in societies. It is not about overlooking the differences and focusing on commonalities, it is simply about accepting the otherness of other. You are who you are and I am who I am and let’s figure out how we can co-exist with the least tensions. http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/07/sura-kafirun-un-believers.html

Intrafaith Panel on Islam | Sunni -Shia- Ahmadiyya – WD Muhammad

This is the first of its kind, if not the first intra-faith dialouge in Texas within the fold of Islam. The Sunni, Shia, Warith Deen Muhammad and Ahmadiyya Imams will discuss the issues.  It is not going to be easy, but God willing, we will do our best to tread on the path laid out by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), to be respectful of the otherness of others without having to agree. The program will be videotaped and will set a new benchmark for the future conferences. Please register with the listed registrar and attend. Media will be invited as well.

Rice University: http://events.rice.edu/index.cfm?EventRecord=19615

Obama’s ideal pluralistic inaugural benediction

Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/president-obamas-ideal-inaugural-benediction_b_2481579.html#es_share_ended

The link includes Pluralism prayers and greeting in City of Carrollton and Chicago
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Standing up for Others

We have to be an integral part of the society which means, we need to participate in everything that affects us all Americans, and not just Muslim issues. Most of us do not want to deal with GLBT and other issues and shamefully some of us are disgustingly selfish, we do not stand up for others, other than Muslims. Let’s take a few steps, look at the last item and write the email, just copy and email. If we run from conflicts, we keep running. Instead, we have to actively participate in shaping our society. www.StandingupforOthers.com