A new paradigm in the Muslim world – Establishing the right Muslim attitudes towards conflicts and bringing a change in how they are perceived

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A  B S T R A C T

A New paradigm for the Muslim World
Establishing the right Muslim attitudes towards conflicts
 and bringing a change in how they are perceived


When Pastor Jones announced burning 2998 copies of Qur’an on Wednesday, September 11, 2013, one for each American life lost on September 11, 2001, we decided we have to bring a closure to the sacrifice of our men and women in the most honored way and not by burning the Qurans.  

We wanted to assert to Muslims around the world, that our God given right to freedom of speech is a value we treasure and hold it dear to us, ultimately it is the freedom that uplifts the whole humanity. 


Our goal was to offer an alternate Muslim behavior model to become the standard, indeed we can call it a genuine Islamic response based on Quran and the examples of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

We wanted to undo the wrong responses acted out by Muslims, and narrow the window of propaganda proportionate to the acts of the few. We have learned and have come to anticipate what Muslims will do when someone criticizes Islam, Prophet Muhammad, or threatens to burn Quran.

As we commit to building cohesive Societies where no human has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other, we wanted to mitigate conflicts and nurture good will and invariably offer pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.


The support from fellow Americans was encouraging in establishing this new paradigm. The folks from Mulberry Florida particularly Suzanne Carter and her “Not in Mulberry” team, Butch Rahman, Curtis Rahman, Mayor Hatch, Mayor Fields and Sheriff’s office were the key partners in the situation.  I must express our gratitude to Suzie Schottelkotte of the Ledger Newspaper for fair reporting of the situation. The Muslim support from around the world was indeed encouraging.

This is a new paradigm in bringing a change, a critical milestone for Muslims in the United States.

The Mulberry event seeded the change about how Muslims are perceived, and how they would react to future Quran burning, criticism of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and Islam.

Links are provided to nearly 30 original articles about the event, however, it was published in over 300 Newspapers around the world.

THE GENESIS

When Pastor Jones announced burning 2998 copies of Qur’an on Wednesday, September 11, 2013, one for each American life lost on September 11, 2001, I said to myself we have to bring a closure to the sacrifice of our men and women in the most honored way and not by burning the Qurans.

We also need to bring a closure to the damage 9/11 has done to the relationship between Muslims and America, though the majority on both sides did not blame each other, the few among both made it difficult by promoting fear, hatred and blame with recurring nagging activities.

Just like the actions of Pastor Terry Jones and his handful of supporters do not represent 318 Million Americans, the actions of the 19 and their respective cheer leaders do not represent 1.6 Billion Muslims either. We all owe it ourselves to understand this clearly, so none of us lives in anxiety, and continue to live in hate of each other. 

We all have a legitimate concern on how a handful of Muslims react elsewhere in the world to criticism of Prophet Muhammad, Islam and Qur’an, and how Muslims are perceived by fellow humanity in general and Americans in particular.  Hence we deliberated on actions to bring about sustainable solutions; the answer was in moving the Tenth Annual Unity Day USA event to Mulberry, Florida. The Unity Day brings people of different faiths, races and ethnicities to rededicate our pledge to one nation and a commitment to her safety, security and Unity. What better way to honor 2998 men, women and children than burning Quran.

Thanks to the print and web media – every Major Newspaper in the world has carried the stories and at least two dozen original pieces have been written about the event. A whole lot of it is listed at www.WorldMuslimCongress.com.

The most important endorsements came from Muslims sites – Shia, Sunni and other Muslims groups. Whether it is Saudi Gazette, or Ahle-Bayt (Shia) News in Iran and the Muslim Majority Nations have covered it all.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM MUSLIMS?

The following are some of the many responses we the Americans have learned and anticipate when someone criticizes Islam, Prophet Muhammad, or Quran;  

1.      Violence – burning embassies, cars and destruction of property….
2.      Calling Names, cursing or killing the one who said bad things about the three
3.       Enflame the situation by adding fuel to the fire by talk of avenge or revenge
4.      Passing the buck – blame the other “illiterate Muslims”, fringe elements etc.
5.      Get Defensive
What the world has not seen is a genuine Muslim response!

Our goal was to offer an alternate behavior model as a standard, indeed we can call it a genuine Islamic response based on what the Prophet has said, and the verses from Quran. This behavior can also be called Christian, Jewish, Hindu or plain common sense responsible response.

Saving a life is like saving the whole humanity says the Quran, a book of guidance like all other holy books in building harmony in a given society. It is about building societies that care for other for the ultimate benefit of each member of the society. (more about it at Huffington Post)

The Muslim Community has taken up the responsibility in past several years to donate blood, and last year, the target was to collect 11,000 pints on the 11thanniversary and collected 11,170 Pints.  The Muslims for Life blood drive campaign emphasizes the sanctity of life, a teaching inherent in all religious traditions.  The MuslimCommunity USA has set a goal to collect 12,000 pints of blood, which will help save up to 36,000 lives. 

The model is not new at all, indeed, it was established by Jesus, Muhammad and all the spiritual Masters (peace be upon them)  including non-religious and secular traditions; that of mitigating conflicts and nurturing goodwill for the common good of the society; a cohesive society where no one has to live in apprehension or fear of the other.
Jesus called that Kingdom of heaven and Muhammad called it submission to a coherent system called Islam. A majority of people in all faiths believe in the beauty of their faith; however a few in each group don’t get that or abuse the faith to their advantage in making enemies out of those who differ.
Indeed, Prophet Muhammad taught that “To overcome evil with good is good, and to resist evil by evil is evil.” It is also strongly enjoined in the Qur’an in the same verse 41:34, “Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel evil with what is better; then you will see that one who was once your enemy has become your dearest friend.” (Full Press release at World Muslim Congress).
The folks in the Town of Mulberry and Polk County, Florida were ready for a new model to work in dealing with the situation, and they did, and have set an example to the world. Should this happen elsewhere in the United States, the folks can look up to the Mulberry example of giving hope and strengthening what is good.

Indeed Mulberry Mayor Hatch said, “One man or a handful of men and women do not represent the values of half a million folks of Polk County”. Mayor Fields of Lakeland shared that humanity has a history of abusing the holy books for individual gains and we cannot accept that. Sgt. Regina Moran, representing Polk County Sheriff’s office called for mutual respect and acceptance of the other. Butch Rahman, a resident of Polk County emphasized, “Terry Jones begged every property owner in Polk County to allow him to burn the Quran on their property—and not one person accepted. No one is buying his idea and he is isolated on an island of hate. He does not represent us.” and added,  “I am proud of Polk County’s response in rejecting hate and promoting a positive message of American diversity.”

In the words of Suzanne carter, “As a Christian, the bible teaches us to love our neighbors— it doesn’t say what our neighbor has to look like or believe in—it just says neighbor.”  Lynn Broom of Not in Mulberry Organization adds, “You can’t fight hate with hate” and Curtis Rahman, a high schooler was clear ,” “Al-Qaida is dangerous, not Islam or Muslims”. Similar sentiments were expressed by ordinary folks (2 videos).

Imagine the reservation and apprehension when a Muslim steps into their town – I am sure they expected one of the five behaviors from this Muslim, but thanks to the Model of the Prophet – “Amin” that I followed to the best of my ability. The folks reciprocated.   

Amin was a title accorded to the Prophet by fellow residents of Mecca who were Jewish, Christians, Pagan and others. To be Amin is to be truthful, to be worthy of trust, to be just and to be a source of safety and security to others.  The folks in Mulberry reciprocated with equal kindness.

For a public good to succeed, it has to be un-selfish, and no one has anything to gain from it but the community at large. Our volunteer team in Mulberry (listed on the site) followed the same model. None of us wanted anything out of it except the common good.

We hoped this would be a life changing event, most people fell in in love with the idea that all of us Americans will come together as Americans and nothing but Americans. While we have our sub-identity, we look to each other as Americans and rededicate ourselves to our pledge; one nation with liberty and justice for all. 

Mulberry is a part of history in creating a model behavior in dealing with conflicts and building a cohesive America, where no American has to live in apprehension or fear of the other

I want to emphasize a note about service.  My good friend said a prayer for me that I have earned a prime spot in paradise, but I was quick to say, I do not way any such place. – We should not be driven by wages for the service we render, if we get paid, and then it would not be service any more. We should rather do our share of work for creating a better world, as the Bhagvad Gita says, do your dharma and not be driven by the fruit.

Thanks to my key partners in the event – Butch Rahman, Suzanne Carter, Lynn Broom, Linda Jezard and others including the Mayors, police, Fire chiefs, Sheriff’s office and the media friends for placing their trust in me and believing that we will do the right thing – and not leave a mess behind for them to deal with later.

Suzanne traveled with me to the site where Jones was going to burn Quran, we had a good conversation, and I appreciate the trust she placed in me. Butch asked me, a stranger to stay in his home with his family, and I am glad I did. I am sure Prophet Muhammad would be smiling at me, but at least I feel good for following in his footsteps – to be the Amin.

After all, the Qurans were not burned.

Pastor Jones and his fellow Pastor were arrested, and their truck and the trailer with kerosene doused Qurans were confiscated an hour before the scheduled burning at 5:00 PM on September 11, 2013. They were charged for carrying open arms, a 45 caliber Smith and Wesson, and not having the license tag for the trailer, a road hazard with Kerosene doused books on an open road. Both the men were released after paying a bail of $1250 each. Full story at the Mulberry Ledger: http://www.theledger.com/article/20130911/NEWS/130919800/0/search


The Pastor has said that he will repeat the event, and on our part, we will repeat our unity and prayers, and pray for the well being of the Pastor. May God forgive him and have him join us in creating a safer America for every American. I will continue to pursue to have a dialogue with the pastor and answer what exactly about Quran that bothers him. If it happens, it will be in a public forum.

To quote from Jeffrey Weiss’  article he wrote in Religion News Service, and copied by virtually every major News paper in America including the Washington Post, Huffington Post and others. It was a challenge to Pastor Jones.

 “If you find five faults in Quran in a public discussion, I will abandon my faith and join your ministry. … On the other hand, if you cannot find faults, I am going to be easy on you, I will not ask you to become a Muslim, but ask you join me to do the work of Christ and Muhammad in building a cohesive America, where no American has to live in fear of the other. Jesus called that the Kingdom of Heaven.
“You and I owe it to America to demystify the myths and allay mutual fears. I am putting myself out for the common good of America and I hope you take up the challenge and join me in contributing to the greatness of America.”
Now, the pastor is as likely to agree to this debate as he is to ride a unicorn. So why even bother?
“You are right. He will not take it,” Ghouse said. “But that also gives fellow Americans the hope that it is not the Quran, it is the bad practices of a few Muslims that taints the religion.”

This is what it takes to create a good society, where we all can enjoy living in it, and that is what the role of a Muslim ought to be. If you feel your dollars produce direct results, we invite you to donate $100 and over: http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/  and your support will be listed at www.UnityDayUSA.com and www.WorldMuslimCongress.com  
I am grateful to all the sponsors and those who have pledged and may donate, but particularly the support from the magnificent seven for this event.

Mirza A Beg, my moral support and silent partner in the press releases and possible reports. Dr. Basheer Ahmed, Dr. Nauman Anwar and Farooq Hemani have always supported the work we do; I don’t have to ask them, they volunteer to fund the work. Then this time around – Butch Rahman turned in $100 on the 1stday I met him towards the cost of the work, Suzanne Carter for joining in with her superb team of volunteers. Moazam Syed was the first one to donate – this is all encouragement. All their contributions are listed on the site for transparency and accountability purpose, and more importantly their support has produced direct results.

God willing, we will put a book together with the full story, of all the little and big things, good things, and bad things that have happened in the process. The book will include feedback from the involved and the ordinary.
 

FEEDBACK THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE OF MULBERRY SENTIMENT
Terry Jones a Bad Apple in the Christian Faith Who Brought Hate to Mulberry
Published: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 12:01 a.m in Mulberry Ledger.
Well, it’s all over in Mulberry — or is it?

The Christian Quran book burner went to jail and the World Muslim Congress that has held it Unity Day event for the past nine years has returned to Dallas. The book burner came to Mulberry in hate and the Muslims came to Mulberry in peace to counter the hate.

The book burner is going to find out he can’t break the law in Mulberry and get off without a stiff penalty. The World Muslim Congress from Dallas are gone but not forgotten, and they are welcome to return. They came in peace with a record of doing the Unity Day Celebration for the past eight years.

The group included local residents of differing faiths, and they showed respect and to love our neighbors with understanding to achieve worldwide balance. This reasoning is part of my Christian faith. I wish I had been there and I wish the Muslin Unity Day Celebration would have had more support from the churches.

We are not going to have world peace until we can come together without regard to race or religious beliefs. Being divisive and not willing to understand the other side is not the Christian way. It does not mean Christianity has to accept the Muslim or any other way. It means love your neighbor and do unto others as … you know the rest and what is right.

The Muslims summed it up best when they prayed for the fallen heroes who died on 9/11 from a “few bad apples in the Muslim faith.” I can understand that logic by adding we have a “lot of bad apples in the Christian faith,” and one of them brought hate to Mulberry.

DON OVERSTREET
Mulberry

 
A DOZEN TAKE AWAYS:
1.      The Mayors, police, fire chief, religious leadership and volunteers along with representatives of many different religious traditions joined (video clip) in echoing the sentiment of respecting Quran without compromising on the free speech guaranteed in our constitution.

2.      Indeed Mayor Hatch said, “One man or a handful of men and women do not represent the values of half a million folks of Polk County” or 318 million Americans. Mayor Fields shared that humanity has a history of abusing the holy books for individual gains, in the words of Butch Rahman – not a single property owner offered their place to the pastor to burn the Qurans – no one in the county was buying his idea.  In the words of Suzanne carter, her bible does not teach her to hate the neighbors. Similar sentiments were expressed by ordinary folks (2 videos).

3.      The above is a reassuring feedback; ignoring Jones would have deprived fellow Americans and the Muslims around the world with that kind of hope giving information.

4.      The media sincerely presented the event as it was – in the positive light without putting a dimmer on it. Our original Press release was augmented by front page news in Times of India and an effective endorsement op-ed by Saudi gazette and carried by over 50 news outlets. The final touch came from Jeff Weiss of Religion News, which was picked up by every major newspaper in the World. At home in Mulberry, the ledger reported factual information of everything that was happening with Pastor Jones or the Unity Day USA event. I Googled it, the report was published in every major language of the world.

5.      An alternate behavior model is established in dealing with conflicts, instead of the routine condemnations. This model was indeed set by Jesus and Prophet Muhammad, and we merely followed it.
6.      Fellow Americans witnessed a major paradigm change; that Muslims do speak out and offer choices besides condemning or doing nothing.

7.      That Muslims are partners in nation building and building a cohesive America.

8.      The program reiterated that Muslims pray for the wellbeing of all humanity, and not just MUSLIMS. It’s not a new idea, but practiced by a majority of Muslims quietly. We want to reiterate the Quranic verses…..Full article at Huffpost and our first press release.

9.      We were clear- we honor fellow citizens thru prayers and respecting Quran.

10. As a part of the published program, we broke for prayers, thanks to Sunni, Shia, WD Muhammad, Ahmadiyya Muslims and other Muslims for joining us in the optional special prayers. I was blessed to have led the 2 Rakat Nafl, Alhamdulillah we all prayed together. 

11. I’m sure Prophet Muhammad would be pleased with our work. I followed his example of becoming the Amin.  The city loved the message, now; they actually know what MUSLIMS are about. There is an alternate positive example.

12. A new found respect for Muslims, and Muslims were seen as doing the right thing, just, truthful and trustworthy. We are glad we responded positively instead of complaining. 
This is a new paradigm in bringing a change, a critical milestone for Muslims in the United States.

I request you, the members at World Muslim Congress and the Foundation for Pluralism to add your succinct but pragmatic comment in 50 words or less for possible inclusion in the book.  A sponsor for the book is welcome by individuals or an organization. The book would be a compilation of many articles, your comments and reports in the media.   

This book will be a must read for any one before building a Mosque in Murfreesboro, a Ground Zero Mosque or planning a major event. The proceeds will go towards nurturing the pluralistic values of Islam and building cohesive societies to live and let live.

I will be happy to give a talk on the subject of how to become a productive citizen of America and earn the respect as a fully participating and contributing member of the society at large.  

God willing we will do things with boldness and clarity.

A full report will be prepared and mailed to the ones who want to read.
Just Google “Quran Burning”,  “Mike Ghouse” or “Pastor Terry Jones” for that time period,  – you will be amazed with the print and web media coverage. Every Major Newspaper in the world has covered it in positive terms, a healthy change.

The most important endorsements came from Muslims sites – Shia, Sunni and others. The key contributing articles are on the panel at World Muslim Congress and Unity Day USA.

The most important endorsements came from Muslims Newspapers and websites – Shia, Sunni and others. Whether it is Saudi Gazette, or Ahle-Bayt (Shia) News in Iran and the Muslim Majority Nations have covered it all. There is leadership vacuum out there, when the right thing is said, they grab it and it is encouraging.

THE PRESS RELEASE THAT TRIGGERRED AN AVALANCHE OF ARTICLES:

Planned Muslim Response to Qur’an Burning by Pastor Jones on September 11 in Mulberry, Florida


PRESS RELEASE
August 19, 2013| Dallas, Texas

Contact: 
Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916 – MikeGhouse@aol.com
Mirza A. Beg (205) 454-8797 -Mirza.a.beg@gmail.com
Website: www.WorldMuslimCongress.com

We plan to respond to pastor Terry Jones’ planned burning of 3000 copies of Quran on September 11, 2013 in positive terms with dignity and grace.

As Muslims and Americans we honor the free speech guaranteed in our constitution. We have no intentions to criticize, condemn or oppose Pastor Terry Jones’ freedom of expression. Instead, we will be donating blood and praying for goodness to permeate in our society.

Indeed, we are concerned about the violent reactions to Quran burning by the fringe elements among Muslims elsewhere in the world, and through the message of Quran, and the Prophet we hope to mitigate the violence and nurture goodwill.  The safety of fellow Americans and fellow humans around the world is our goal. 

Our response would include reclaiming the standard of behavior practiced by the Prophet concerning “scurrilous and hostile criticism of the Qur’an” (Muhammad Asad Translation Note 31, verse 41:34). It was “To overcome evil with good is good, and to resist evil by evil is evil.” It is also strongly enjoined in the Qur’an in the same verse 41:34, “Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel evil with what is better; then you will see that one who was once your enemy has become your dearest friend.”  

God willing Muslims will follow the divine guidance and pray for the restoration of Goodwill, and on that day many Muslim organizations will go on a “blood drive” to save lives and serve humanity with kindness.

We invite fellow Americans of all faiths, races, and ethnicities to join us to rededicate the pledge, “One nation under God”, and to build a cohesive America where no American has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of fellow Americans.  This event is a substitute for our 10th Annual Unity Day Celebration (www.UnitydayUSA.com) held in Dallas, but now it will be at Mulberry, Florida.

Unwittingly Pastor Jones has done us a favor by invigorating us by his decision to burn nearly 3000 copies Quran on September 11, 2013. Obviously he is not satisfied by the notoriety he garnered by burning one Qur’an last year. 

We plan to follow Jesus Christ (pbuh), a revered prophet in Islam as well as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) – that of mitigating the conflicts and nurturing good will for the common good of the society. 

We hope, this event and the message will remind Muslims elsewhere in the world as well, that violence is not the way. Muslims, who react violently to senseless provocation, should realize that, violence causes more violence, and besmirches the name of the religion that we hold so dear. We believe that Prophet Muhammad was a mercy to the mankind, and we ought to practice what we believe and preach. We must not insult Islam by the negative reactions of a few.

We can only hope it will bring about a change in the attitude of the followers of Pastor Jones, and in the behavior of those Muslims who reacted violently the last time Pastor sought notoriety – We hope this small step towards a bridge to peaceful coexistence would propel us towards building a cohesive society.

Like most Americans a majority of Muslims quietly go about their own business, but it is time to speak up and take positive action instead of negative reaction. May this message of peace and goodwill reverberate and reach many shores. 

Lastly, we appreciate the Citizens of Mulberry, Florida, Honorable Mayor George Hatch, City Commissioners, police and Fire Chiefs for handing this situation very well.  This will add a ‘feather of peace’ in the City’s reputation. We hope Mulberry will be a catalyst in showing the way in handling conflict with dignity and peace.

We hope, our mercy based message will remind Muslims to follow the examples of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), a mercy to mankind to contribute towards a better world.  We believe it may also bring a change in the attitudes of followers of Pastor Jones, and in the behavior of those Muslims who reacted violently the last time Pastor sought notoriety.

We thank the Media for giving value to the work towards peace rather than conflict.

URL- http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/08/planned-muslim-response-to-quran_18.html 

What exactly will be do on that day? Please visit www.UnitydayUSA.com  

Thank you.

Mike Ghouse, President
World Muslim Congress
www.WorldMuslimCongress.com 

Mission of World Muslim Congress


To be a Muslim is to be a peace maker, one who constantly seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for peaceful co-existence of humanity. Just about every activity of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) consisted those two elements. God wants us to live in peace and harmony with his creation; Life and Matter.
We are driven by the Qur’an, Al-Hujurat, Surah 49:13: “O mankind! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. The noblest of you, in sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Allah Knows and is Aware.”
Our Mission
Our Mission at World Muslim congress is to work for a world of co-existence through inclusiveness and participation. As a member of diverse family of faiths, our efforts will be directed towards justice and equity to attain peace for the humankind with a firm grounding in commonly held values. We cannot have advantages at the cost of others. Such benefits are temporary and deleterious to lasting peace. We believe what is good for Muslims has got to be good for the world, and vice versa, for the goodness to sustain.
Indeed we aspire to promote goodwill amongst people of different affiliations, regardless of their faith, gender, race, nationality, culture or any other uniqueness blessed by the creator.

While Pastor Terry Jones Burns 2998 Copies of Qurans in Mulberry, Muslims Will Be Donating 12,000 Pints of Blood This Year


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/while-pastor-terry-jones-_b_3874056.html#es_share_ended
Chief Seattle the Native American said this perfectly, “All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the webs, he does it to himself.”

Saving a life is like saving the whole humanity says the Quran, a book of guidance like all other holy books in building harmony in a given society. It is about building societies that care for each other for the ultimate benefit of each member of the society.

Qur’an, Chapter Al-Ma’idah (The Table Spread) 5:32 (Asad) “Because of this did We ordain unto the children of Israel that if anyone slays a human being-unless it be [in punishment] for murder or for spreading corruption on earth-it shall be as though he had slain all mankind; whereas, if anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all mankind. [40] And, indeed, there came unto them [41] Our apostles with all evidence of the truth: yet, behold, notwithstanding all this, many of them go on committing all manner of excesses on earth.”

Indeed every religious, political, ethnic and social group has a fraction among them that commits excesses. Individuals are responsible for the bad acts, and it is their heinie that needs to be hauled off, and not their parents, kids, siblings, pastor, religion or mayor of the town. We have to guard ourselves from stereotyping any group for the acts of a few.

About 10:00 in the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, this Muslim was called in by AM Radio 1150 to address the chaos that followed after the first plane hit the twin towers. The great tragedy had left every one speechless and had frozen everyone from doing anything. I was shaking but was committed to make sense out of the chaos and bring coherence to the day, and pave the way for relevant action.

I was on the air for seven hours, virtually getting every possible community, religious, and civil leader on the air to bring some coherence. Among the many things we accomplished that day was the blood drive. My late wife Najma had called in and announced about the blood drive and within no time, hundreds of people lined up at Wadley Blood center. She drove to the facility and the folks told her that the lines were too long and asked us to hold off the announcements till the next day.

Thanks to OneBlood, Inc. for sending the Big Red Bus to the Mulberry Civic Center Venue on September 11, 2013 between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. — please come and donate blood. I realized the importance of blood donation when my late wife was on her death bed and needed blood, when my uncle was in a motor cycle accident and needed blood. Donate blood.

The Muslim community has taken up the responsibility in past several years to donate blood, and last year, the target was to collect 11,000 pints on the 11th anniversary and they collected 11,170 Pints. The Muslims for Life blood drive campaign emphasizes the sanctity of life, a teaching inherent in all religious traditions. The Muslim community has set a goal to collect 12,000 pints of blood, which will help save up to 36,000 lives.

Please join us for a life changing event, you will fall in love with the idea that all of us Americans will come together as Americans and nothing but Americans. While we have our identity, we look to each other as American and rededicate ourselves to our pledge; one nation under God with liberty and justice for all.

You will be a part of history in creating a model behavior in dealing with conflicts and building a cohesive America, where no American has to live in apprehension or fear of the other.

EVENT: UNITY DAY USA
Time: 8:46 AM – 10:46 AM
Date: September 11, 2013
Place: Mulberry Civic Center,
Address: 901 NE 5th St
City: Mulberry, FL 33860
Site: www.UnityDayUSA.com
RSVP: ConfirmAttendance@gmail.com

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him at www.MikeGhouse.net

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