http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/07/unfounded-fears-about-muslims-on.html
I have been responding to mass hysteric emails in circulation from time to time. Indeed, it is a business to the few who have found gains by the anti-Islamic rhetoric, and as a peace maker, my role is to mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill and continue to separate the myths from reality.
Here is one from PAB with a comment and six questions. I have dealt with Robert Spencer, Ali Sina, Nonie Derwish, Wafa Sultan, Geert Wilders and several others and will be happy to take on any one.
PAB: I believe our country has 2 great dangers that we have to face. One is the devaluation of our currency. The other is the Islamic/Muslim religion. Muslims will take over the world by sheer numbers. PAB
Ghouse: Muslims have no desire to take over the world, a few radicals do, for every damned radical Muslim; there is an equal and matching radical Christian, radical Jew and a Radical Hindu. The problems are between the fear mongers and the radicals, and not between Muslims and Christians, Jews and Christians or Hindus and Muslims or any other combination. No group is free from men choosing to malign others.
An overwhelming majority of any group of people want to get along with everyone and mind their own business; work, family, education, home and retirement. They have no time to mess with other people’s lives. The extremists are driven by phobias, nightmares and insecurities, and they are in every race, religion and ethnicity and fortunately these potent few are less than One tenth of one percent of each group.
If someone is willing to put all these phobias together, we can have a conference to address them all instead of living in conspiracies.
Google anything you want, you will find the answers.
PAB: Have you ever been to a Muslim hospital?
Ghouse: Although Muslims have been around in the states much before Columbus, most of them (2/3rds) are here in less than two decades, and less than a few thousand have been around for a long time as slaves.
The immigrants are still trying to get established, once they reach that point, they will contribute more than their share to the well being of this nation as an expression of gratitude. However, in Dallas, where I am from, there are three free clinics run by Muslims for Americans (open to all Americans without discrimination) who do not have insurance. Similar clinics are in Houston and other Cities.
They also hold free mammograms and other health screening services in neighborhoods for free.
Last year 11,880 Pints of blood was donated by Muslims on the anniversary of 9/11.
PAB: Have you heard a Muslim orchestra?
Ghouse: There are two country singers who are Muslim. However India’s or Bollywood’s ace music directors are Muslim. The most Indian Classical Music Maestros are again Muslims. Muslims will do their share of contribution in America, as the 2nd generation finds their way out. I know many young Muslims who are teaching Music.
PAB: Have you seen a Muslim band march in a parade?
Ghouse: Not yet, but there are no Sikh, Hindu, Baha’i, Zoroastrian bands either. I am not sure if there is a Jewish band. Why do the bands have to carry a religious banner? Have you seen a Catholic Band, Baptist Band or an Evangelical Band? If there is high school band, there Muslims as well people from all faiths.
PAB: Have you witnessed a Muslim charity?
Ghouse: There are many, IRF – Islamic Relief Fund is one of the biggest one, they were given the full status to serve along Red Cross in Katrina and Tsunami, and they have earned high ratings among charitable institutions. Humanity First and Aga Khan Foundation and several other Charitable institutions operate.
One of the things about Muslims is that they believe Charity is not for display, when you help someone, you do it quietly. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) shared the wisdom of this idea; when you give charity to someone, let no one know about except you, the recipient and God. It will humiliate the recipient, if you tell someone that you helped him, preserve the dignity of the man. It’s not only Muslims; there are donors in every faith tradition, who do not want to be known.
Have you seen Muslims, shaken hands with Muslim Girl Scouts?
Ghouse: If you come out of the shell, you can see. They are working towards it, but if it is their tradition not to shake hands with another man, let them, learn to respect their tradition. Orthodox Rabbis don’t shake hands with women, just as the Imams don’t do it. It’s a tradition one must respect. I am sure you and I have some practices that may be considered uncouth by others, but you and I don’t mean to be uncivil.
PAB: Have you seen a Muslim do anything that contributes positively to the American way of life????
Ghouse: Absolutely, how big a record do you want?
There are many major donations at the Universities to further education. Volunteers from the groups I have mentioned can be deployed in emergencies at any given time; they will travel with their own monies.
I will list a few that I am involved with, but if you combine the list of all Muslims, you might be surprised and eliminate this question from circulation. I am providing the links; you can open and read the work Muslims are contributing towards the well being of America.
v Unity day USA a 9/11 event – http://911unitydayusa.blogspot.com/
v Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides – www.HolocaustandGenocides.com
v Thanksgiving celebrations http://thanksgivingcelebrations.blogspot.com/
v Memorial Day – Muslims visiting cemeteries to pray for the veterans
v 9/11 and Muslims – http://www.mikeghouse.net/UnitydayUSA_conceived.asp
v Standing up for Christians – http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/01/standing-with-christians.html
v Standing up for Jews – http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/02/standing-up-with-jews.html
v Standing up for Gays and lesbians – http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/05/standing-up-for-gays-and-lesbians.html
v Standing up for Atheists – http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/04/speaking-up-for-atheists.html
v Standing up for Hindus -http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/04/standing-with-hindus.html
v Workshops in understanding every religion, so Americans can have the least conflicts among them. 26 workshops including two for Atheism.
v 520 Hours of Radio Talk show to promote understanding of all religions bar none.
v I can add a whole lot more… but I hope you get the drift.
v TRAILER OF THE FILM ABOUT AMERICA
No American has to live in apprehension or fear of the other.
We have systems in place to safeguard that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMXsTo4VYh8&feature=youtu.be
No American has to live in apprehension or fear of the other.
We have systems in place to safeguard that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMXsTo4VYh8&feature=youtu.be
…………………………………………………………………………………
About Mike: 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 Texas Faith column at Dallas Morning News and regularly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals. www.TheGhousediary.com is his daily blog.
About Mike: 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 Texas Faith column at Dallas Morning News and regularly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals. www.TheGhousediary.com is his daily blog.