A Muslim Pluralist Celebrates Easter

A MUSLIM CELEBRATES EASTER

The first response from a few Muslims would be "no, no and no!" Muslims cannot celebrate resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus did not die, he and his message lives on! 

Whether Jesus was buried and resurrected, or taken up by God, faith in him is shared by more than half of the world inclusive of Muslims and Christians. Whether you believe in Jesus or not, his message of love thy enemy, love thy neighbor and forgive the other will set us free. Can we celebrate that message? 

Perhaps I may be the first Muslim to be baptized. It was an enriching experience to me in particular, feeling the symbolic transformation of the feeling of love towards all of God's creation. Muslims feel the same upon performance of Hajj Pilgrimage; we become child-like with love for all of God's creation; life and matter. The Hindus cherish an identical feeling when they take a dip at the Sangam in River Ganges, particularly during the Kumbh Mela.
To this Muslim, Easter represents resurrection of Jesus through his message, and Easter is a symbolic day to celebrate that message.

Continued - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/a-muslim-pluralist-celebrates-easter_b_2976582.html#es_share_ended

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full story in the link at Huffington post

 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 aCohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day atwww.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in Standing up for others and has done that throughout his life as an activist. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He 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; fortnightly at Huffington post; and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work through many links.          

Mike Ghouse speaks on buidling a cohesive America

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

Americans together have to put an end to the divisiveness and work towards building a cohesive, safe and secure America. No American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other.

The right wingers have been successful in pitting one American against the other for their own political and financial gains, it is time for us to come together as Americans and find solutions to the divisive issues and focus on becoming a catalyst to each others prosperity. I cannot be secure if those around me are not.

Mike Ghouse, President of America Together Foundation announced his plans to go on a speaking tour across America in an effort to build cohesive societies. “It is a three in one opportunity to hear out on Pluralism, Islam and Interfaith”. He will address what it takes to mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill.

Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions to media and to the public on important and complex issues of the day and is available to speak in a variety of settings such as schools, seminars, conferences, and places of worship, or the work place. He welcomes all questions and will address the fears many have about Islam.  He welcomes questions concerning misunderstandings about violence (jihad) and women's rights and other issues. 

Mike is a frequent guest on Fox News, (The Hannity Show), and has been interviewed on nationally syndicated Radio shows along with Dallas TV, Print and Radio networks and occasional interviews on NPR. He is a member of the Texas Faith panel of Dallas Morning News and writes on issues facing the nation every week. He has spoken at international forums including the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, in Melbourne, Australia, Middle East Peace Initiative, in Jerusalem, the International Leadership conference, in Hawaii, in Washington, and elsewhere.

The Foundation for Pluralism champions the idea of co-existence by respecting and accepting the otherness of those different from ourselves. The World Muslim Congress is committed to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam, many are not aware that Islam teaches Pluralism. Heavily involved in both, Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and has produced outstanding public events to bring Americans together of different religions, ethnicities and races on common grounds of building a safe and secure America.

He is a speaker, thinker, collaborator and a writer on the subjects of Pluralism, the interfaith movement, cohesive societies, Islam, India, hope and world peace. Over 1000 articles of Mike’s have been published worldwide and two books are poised to be released this summer. His work is reflected in 4 websites and 27 Blogs indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Pluralism Speaker
http://pluralismspeaker.blogspot.com/

Muslim Speaker
http://muslimspeakermikeghouse.blogspot.com

Interfaith Speaker:
http://interfaithspeaker.blogspot.com/

If you wish to host "Building a Cohesive America" event in your town you can reach; Mike Ghouse at (214) 325-1916 or email to: GhouseSpeaks@Gmail.com

Muslims rejoice the end an evil era and an evil icon

It is one of the best news items Muslims have had in a decade, we are delighted that an evil era has come to an end with the death of this evil man Osama Bin Laden.  It brings a sense of justice and relief to nearly 3000 fellow Americans. 

Indeed Muslims were not only victims of his terrorism, but were also subject of harassment by several governments around the world in Airports as well as employment and ordinary life acts. The Sikh community also became a target of the mistaken identity. With his death, we pray that the Taliban mind set and the oppression of women in Afghanistan also comes to an end.

President Obama’s statement was profound, he literally stole the sentiments and words of Muslims around the world, “Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims.  Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own.  So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.” As Muslims, we welcome this.

I recall that dark Tuesday on September 11, 2001, I was called in to manage the emergency situation on Radio station AM 1150 and handle the crisis. My first goal was to make sense out of the chaotic incoherence of the day and move forward purposefully. I was on the air from 10:00 AM through 5:00 PM on AM Radio 1150 and 950 simulcasted at times.

The Spiritual leaders from all faiths and traditions were called in to pray and share their wisdom for this moment.  They were from the traditions of Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islam, Jain, Jewish, Sikh, Zoroastrian and other traditions. Area Mayors, community and business leaders joined in as well.

The fog was clearing up; Osama bin Laden was our enemy and we had to get rid of him to bring justice; Muslims had nothing to do with Osama, nor did they authorize that terrorist; and a declaration of war against Osama was made on the Air.

By the end of the day a clear sense of direction was developed, a sense of Unity had emerged on the Radio, multi-faith prayers were arranged and fund raising had begun. That historic day, I made a commitment to dedicate this day and unite Americans of every faith, race and tradition on the day every year and thank God we have been doing this.  

People were responding to my calls to donate blood, my late wife Najma was driving around and reporting from the Blood centers and called in to tell us to stop the announcements as the lines were too long and that they could not handle it any more for the day.

September 11, 2005 gave birth to Unity Day USA - 14 faiths were represented at the event with 650 plus individuals attending with 8 Mayors, FBI Chiefs and DOJ attended the event and the Fire and Police Chiefs were honored. The civic Officials proclaimed it as Unity Day USA. It was well covered by the media.

I am working on making this day a national day of Unity and  I want my fellow Americans to know that Muslims are committed for the well being, peace, prosperity, security and unity of America.

Indeed in a luncheon meeting with Congressmen Pete Sessions, Ralph Hall, Kenny Marchant, Paul Johnson and others, congressman Sessions suggested to designate the event on Sunday before 9/11 every year. Even the former Speaker Nancy Pelosi had jumped at the idea.

Bin Ladens death brings a closure to the reign of terror that began September 11, 2001 and we plan on a big celebration this year all over the nation.

# # #

 Mike Ghouse is an interfaith Speaker, thinker, futurist, writer, organizer and an activist committed to building cohesive societies with a firm belief that the purpose of religion is to bring harmony to an individual within and create a balance with what surrounds; life and matter. If we can learn to respect and accept every which way people have come to worship the creator, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. He offers pluralistic solutions to media and to the public on complex issues of the day and is available to speak in a variety of settings such as schools, seminars, conferences, and places of worship, or the work place. His work is indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Building a Cohesive America on wheels

PRESS RELEASE

 

Americans together have to put an end to the divisiveness and work towards building a cohesive, safe and secure America. No American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other.

April 22, 2011 -- The right wingers have been successful in pitting one American against the other for their own political and financial gains, it is time for us to come together as Americans and find solutions to the divisive issues and focus on becoming a catalyst to each others prosperity. I cannot be secure if those around me are not.

Mike Ghouse, President of America Together Foundation announced his plans to go on a speaking tour across America in an effort to build cohesive societies. “It is a three in one opportunity to hear out on Pluralism, Islam and Interfaith”. He will address what it takes to mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill.

Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions to media and to the public on important and complex issues of the day and is available to speak in a variety of settings such as schools, seminars, conferences, and places of worship, or the work place. He welcomes all questions and will address the fears many have about Islam.  He welcomes questions concerning misunderstandings about violence (jihad) and women's rights and other issues. 

Mike is a frequent guest on Fox News, (The Hannity Show), and has been interviewed on nationally syndicated Radio shows along with Dallas TV, Print and Radio networks and occasional interviews on NPR. He is a member of the Texas Faith panel of Dallas Morning News and writes on issues facing the nation every week. He has spoken at international forums including the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, in Melbourne, Australia, Middle East Peace Initiative, in Jerusalem, the International Leadership conference, in Hawaii, in Washington, and elsewhere.

The Foundation for Pluralism champions the idea of co-existence by respecting and accepting the otherness of those different from ourselves. The World Muslim Congress is committed to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam, many are not aware that Islam teaches Pluralism. Heavily involved in both, Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and has produced outstanding public events to bring Americans together of different religions, ethnicities and races on common grounds of building a safe and secure America.

He is a speaker, thinker, collaborator and a writer on the subjects of Pluralism, the interfaith movement, cohesive societies, Islam, India, hope and world peace. Over 1000 articles of Mike’s have been published worldwide and two books are poised to be released this summer. His work is reflected in 4 websites and 27 Blogs indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Pluralism Speaker
http://pluralismspeaker.blogspot.com/

Muslim Speaker
http://muslimspeakermikeghouse.blogspot.com

Interfaith Speaker:
http://interfaithspeaker.blogspot.com/

If you wish to host "Building a Cohesive America" event in your town you can reach; Mike Ghouse at (214) 325-1916 or email to: GhouseSpeaks@Gmail.com

Muslim Speaker Mike Ghouse

NURTURING PLURALISTIC VALUES EMBEDDED IN ISLAM

A Muslim Speaker, thinker, organizer and an activist committed to building cohesive societies with a belief that what is good for Muslims has got to be good for the world and vice versa to sustain peace, harmony and prosperity.

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. God wants us to live in peace and harmony with his creation; Life and Matter. Over 1000 articles have been published on a range of topics in Islam and Pluralism. Insha Allah, a book outlining the Muslim vision is on the horizon.

In defense of Islam, pursuing a civil dialogue

 

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/columnists/steve-blow/20100919-In-defense-of-Islam-pursuing-9397.ece  
Over and over you hear it said: If Muslims oppose terrorism, why don't they stand up and say it?

 

If that has been you, Mike Ghouse ought to be your hero.

It is hard to imagine that anyone has worked harder than the Carrollton resident to demonstrate the peaceful and moderate side of Islam.

And that effort includes personally visiting Dallas' First Baptist Church last Sunday just to put a friendly face on the "evil, evil religion" that the Rev. Robert Jeffress denounced a few weeks before.

"It was wonderful," Ghouse said of the visit. "We were so warmly received."
He hopes a quick chat with Jeffress will be the start of deeper discussion about Islam and the importance of respect between religions.

"I want to have a dialogue with him, not to say he is wrong but to share another point of view," Ghouse said.

The 57-year-old Muslim was born in India and has lived in the United States for 30 years. He owns a small property management firm. But most of his day is devoted to building bridges between people of different faiths.

"It is my passion," he said in his distinctive raspy voice.

He has been a guest a dozen times on Sean Hannity's TV and radio talk shows. "I don't like the way Sean cuts me off, but I have to honor him for giving the American public a semblance of another point of view."

Ghouse said he can understand fear and criticism of Islam because he went through a time of similar feelings. As a teen, he was troubled by passages of the Quran. He called himself an atheist for a while.

But he said deeper study led him to realize the Quran had been purposely mistranslated down through history.

In the Middle Ages, European leaders commissioned a hostile Quran translation to foster warfare against Muslim invaders.

Later, Muslim leaders produced another translation to inflame Muslims against Christians and Jews.

"It was all for politics," he said.
Ghouse said he hopes to present Jeffress with a modern, faithful translation and challenge him to find evil verses.

"If he can, I will convert. I will join his church," Ghouse said. "If he can't, I will call on him to retract his statements and become a peacemaker."

Ghouse acknowledges that deep problems persist within Islam. "Three steps forward, two steps back," he said with a sigh.

And he agrees that mainstream Muslims have not done enough to counter violent images of their faith.

"That is very true," he said. "But part of it is that many Muslims have given up hope that we will ever be heard."

He said repeated denunciations of terrorism seem to fall on deaf ears.

And some efforts have backfired - like the proposed Islamic information center in New York. He said it should be hailed for furthering the moderate Muslim cause.
Instead, it has deepened hostility toward Muslims.

I have been astounded by the amount of anti-Islam propaganda that circulates via e-mail. Tons of it has come my way in the last few weeks.

One theme is that people like Mike Ghouse can't be trusted, that Islam encourages deception.

But Ghouse says actions speak louder than words. And he points to elections in Muslim nations.

More than half of Muslims live in countries with some degree of democracy. And time and time again, Islamist parties are overwhelmingly rejected in favor of secular, mainstream parties.

"The religious parties don't get more than 3 percent of the vote," Ghouse said.
Polls show deep mistrust of Muslims. "But the most important question in those surveys is: 'Do you know anything about Islam?' " Ghouse said. "Most people say no."
What keeps him going is faith in Americans, he said.

"The majority of Americans, if they know the truth, they will change their minds."
 

# # #

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, writer, thinker, futurist and an activist of Pluralism, Islam, India and Civil Societies passionately offering pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

He is a commentator at Fox News on the Hannity show, nationally syndicated Radio shows along with Dallas TV, Print and Radio networks and occasional interviews on NPR.  He has spoken at international forums including the Parliament of Worlds Religions in Melbourne, Middle East Peace initiative in Jerusalem, International Leadership conference in Hawaii, Washington and elsewhere.

Concerned by the divisiveness, he saw the need to bring Americans together and founded America Together Foundation committed to building a cohesive America, indeed it is in response to ACT America which is bent on pitching one American against the other.  We will be holding series of educational programs, conferences and workshops to address the issues that divide us such as Civil Right, GLBT, Quraan, Abortion, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, Racial Profiling and Stereotyping.

The Annual Unity Day USA is in its 7^th year now, it is a purposeful event to bring Americans together, on this Unity Day, we the people of the United States of America of every faith, race, ethnicity, culture and background will gather to express our commitment to co-existence, unity, prosperity and wellbeing of our nation.  

Thanksgiving Celebration is in its 15^th year showcasing cultural diversity.

The 5^th Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides is to learn and to acknowledge and reflect upon the terrible things we have inflicted upon each other and commit to avert such tragedies.  Through this event non-Jewish people have consciously learned about Holocaust for the first time, it was also for the first time that people of 14 faiths came together to join in to commemorate the Holocaust that commemorated within the Jewish Community for years. They are not alone anymore in their anguish, we are all in it together with them, and it is a Muslim initiative to effect a positive change.

The programs, seminars and workshops conducted by the Foundation for Pluralism have become a part of the America Together Foundation. While the Foundation for Pluralism continues championing the idea of co-existence through respecting and accepting the otherness of other, the commitment to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam through the World Muslim Congress continues.

# # #

Full Profile at:  http://www.mikeghouse.net/MuslimSpeaker.MikeGhouse.asp   

Mike is working on two books scheduled to be released this year; The American Muslim Agenda and My Journey to Pluralism.

Mike has written over 1000 Articles on Pluralism, Islam, India, Peace & Justice and civil societies published in a wide spectrum of Newspapers and Magazines around the world.

Locally, he is a panelist at Dallas Morning News's and writes weekly on a range of issues facing the nation. Washington Post, Huffington Post and other news papers and sites regularly publish his work.  

Mike is available to speak on Pluralism, Islam, Civil Societies, and Peace & Justice at your place of worship, school, work place, seminars, workshops or conferences. His work is reflected at three websites & twenty two Blogs listed at http://www.MikeGhouse.net/

Brussels to host 2014 Parliament of worlds Religions

PRESS RELEASE

March 21, 2011, Dallas, Texas

We congratulate the Brussels team headed by Miguel Mesquita da Cunha, Chairman of the 2014 Bid Steering Committee for the tireless work they have put in behalf of Belgians and the Europeans to secure the 2014 bid to host the Parliament of the Worlds Religions.

In behalf of the Foundation for Pluralism and the World Muslim congress, two of the many supporters of the bid for hosting the 2014 event in Dallas, Mike Ghouse, president of the organizations announced,

“We the people of Dallas gracefully acknowledge and honor the decision of the board of trustees of the Parliament of World’s religion for their choice of Brussels to host the 2014 event. Indeed, Brussels will significantly contribute towards the goals of the Parliament; to facilitate an open dialogue among religions, nurture values of co-existence, and encourage cohesion and seek pluralism for people of the world. “

Now, it is our turn to join the Brussels team in making this event successful for the people of world aspiring to create the kingdom of heaven on this beautiful planet, where we can hope and pray that the next seven generations and beyond can live without the apprehension of the other and freely practice their faith and culture.

You can count on our support any way we can.|

Mike Ghouse, President
Foundation for Pluralism
World Muslim Congress
Dallas, Texas
(214) 325-1916
# # #Your Comments:

 REFERENCES:

Articles and pictures by the Foundation for Pluralism, World Muslim Congress and Memnosyne Foundation.  I am pleased to share a few of the many references.  

1.      The Theme of Parliament 2014
http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2010/07/parliament-of-worlds-religions-summit.html

2.      Defending the need for Parliament in Dallas Morning News – Mike aggressively defends criticism. http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/07/texas-faith-dallas-and-the-201.html

3.      Religious Discourse and the Parliament http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2010/05/religious-discourse-and-parliament-of.html

4.      2014 Dallas bid to seek the Parliament in Dallas
http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2010/04/dallas-2014-parliament-of-worlds.html

5.      Mike Ghouse to speak at the Parliament of World’s Religions http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2009/11/mike-ghouse-to-speak-at-parliament-of.html

6.      Angie Buchanan and Mike Ghouse on NPR http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2009/12/national-public-radio.html

7.      Dalai Lama and worlds religions 
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2010/12/dalai-lama-and-worlds-religions.html

8.      Notes about the Parliament -
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2009/12/note-about-parliament-event.html

9.      Summary of the Parliament visit - http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2009/12/parliament-of-world-religions-15.html

10. Pictures: Parliament’s Chicago visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157624107988176/  Slide show: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157624107988176/show/

11. June 5, 2010 Meeting http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157624217148394/

12. Parliament event in Melbourne http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157622903144129/show/

13. Dinner event at Fun Asia – sponsored by Fun Asiahttp://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=464318&id=851280248

14. Meeting at Madeleine Restaurant in May 2010http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=429662&id=851280248

15. Official announcement by the Parliamenthttp://www.parliamentofreligions.org/news/index.php/2011/03/brussels-to-host-the-parliament-of-the-worlds-religions-in-2014/

We have had a few more dinner meetings held in Dallas and few more pictures, which I may publish later on due to specific requests from our friends not to publish their pictures for the public.

# # #

 Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer and is committed to building a cohesive America through the Foundation for Pluralism championing the idea of co-existence through respecting and accepting the otherness of other, and World Muslim Congress committed to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam.

Mike is available to speak on Pluralism, Islam and building cohesive societies at your work, place of worship, school, seminars or conferences.  He is a media commentator offering pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Mike's work is reflected at three websites & twenty two Blogs listed at http://www.MikeGhouse.net/

http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/
http://www.worldmuslimcongress.com/
http://www.americatogetherfoundation.com/

Mike Ghouse
2665 Villa Creek Dr, suite 206
Dallas, TX 75234 USA
(214) 325-1916

Quraan Conference postponed

Please note that the Qur’aan Conference scheduled for February 20, 2010 at the Cathedral of Assumption in Louisville, Kentucky is postponed. The new date will be announced after consulting with the ten panelists representing various religious traditions.

The Dallas Qur’aan conference was successful in achieving the goal of demystifying the myths and removal of falsifications, so all of us Americans can live with the truth. The details are at the website www.QuraanConference.com .

The organization, America Together Foundation will focus on bringing Americans together with a series of educational programs to address the critical issues facing our nation in an open forum to find pluralistic solutions to restore the cohesiveness of our society and work towards building a safe and secure America. No American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other. Programs on GLBT, Anti-Semitism, Racial Profiling, social justice and other issues are in the planning stage.

http://quraanconference.blogspot.com/2011/01/louisville-quraan-koran-conference.html

Thank you.

Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916
www.MikeGhouse.net

Americans together against Anti-semitism



Congresswoman Gifford

 We express our sympathies to the family of Congresswoman Gifford who is recovering from gun shots by a right wing extremist, Anti-Semitism seems to be one of the motives and her support for the health care reforms is another one.

Years ago,  a council man in Dallas addressed a Jewish councilman as "you people" and I was enraged at the "you" version to address a fellow American and thanks to Dallas Morning news for publishing my outrage. Last year Pastor Fred Phelps set up his road show to show his hate for Jews and Gays and lesbians. I went from place to palce, from the Holocaust Musuem to the Jewish Post to the Akiba academy standing in solidarity with the Jews and GLBT community. The Muslims have taken one more initiative; to commemorate holocaust for four years in a row to tell the Jewish community that you are not alone, we are with you in your tragedy. In December we announced holding a series of educational programs to build a cohesive America and one of them was the the Anti-Semitism in America.
Anti-Semitism, Islamophobic and other phobias are a product of insecure people, as Americans together we have to bring them all in our fold and find solutions. Americans together will stand with Jewish people against Anti-Semitism. God willing we are planning on having a conference on the topic.

 Mike Ghouse for a cohesive America

http://www.americatogetherfoundation.com/

Sources:
1. "Exclusive: Jared Loughner Radically Changed Before Alleged Shooting, Friend Says," ABC News, January 9, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205717&id=25760-7955352-ehG1MAx&t=5

2. "Rep. Giffords' Tucson office vandalized after health care vote," Arizona Daily Star, March 22, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205718&id=25760-7955352-ehG1MAx&t=6

3. "Gabrielle Giffords Town Hall: Gun Left Behind," The Huffington Post, August 11, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205721&id=25760-7955352-ehG1MAx&t=7

4. "Tucson rampage casts light on toxic political tone," Arizona Daily Star, January 8, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205719&id=25760-7955352-ehG1MAx&t=8

5. "Sarah Palin Criticized Over Gabrielle Giffords Presence on 'Target List,'" CBS News, January 8, 2011
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20027918-503544.html

6. "News Conference with Pima County Sheriff & Others (Courtesy of KVOA TV, Tucson, Arizona)," C-SPAN, January 8, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205720&id=25760-7955352-ehG1MAx&t=9
Courtesy of

JTA News Alert
January 9, 2010

Memo notes Giffords' Judaism in motives of alleged attacker

(JTA) -- A U.S. Department of Homeland Security memo reportedly notes that Gabriel Giffords is Jewish in describing the motives of the Arizona congresswoman's alleged assailant.

The memo, obtained by Fox News Channel, says that Jared Lee Loughner mentioned American Renaissance, an extremist anti-immigrant group, in some of his own postings.

"The group's ideology is anti-government, anti-immigration, anti-ZOG (Zionist Occupational Government), anti-Semitic," says the memo sent to law enforcement, which also notes that Giffords, a Democrat, was the first Jewish congresswoman from Arizona.

Loughner was arrested after Giffords and at least 16 others were shot Saturday at a meet-your-lawmaker event at a Tucson shopping mall. Six people were killed, including a 9-year-old girl and a federal judge, John Roll. Loughner was tackled and arrested. Giffords, a Democrat in her third term, remains in critical condition after being shot in the head.

Loughner, who is being held by the FBI and has been described by authorities as "unstable," reportedly listed "Mein Kampf" and the "Communist Manifesto" as two of his favorite books on his MySpace page. Several hours before the shooting he reportedly left a "Goodbye friends" message, which also said "Please don't be mad at me."

Giffords was outside one of her signature "Congress at your corner" events outside a Safeway in Tucson, part of her congressional district, when the gunman approached and shot her. A Giffords staff member, Gabe Zimmerman, 30, the organizer of the event, was among the six casualties.

A suspected accomplice whose image was captured on a surveillance video camera outside the shopping center also is being sought, according to reports.

Dr. Michael Lemole a surgeon at the University Medical Center in Tucson, Ariz. said Sunday morning at a news conference that Giffords was responding to doctors' commands. During a two-hour surgery on Saturday, doctors removed bone fragments from her brain in order to help reduce swelling. The bullet went through the left side of her head, he said.
Giffords was elected to Congress in the Democratic sweep in 2006. She made her Jewish identity part of her campaign.
“If you want something done, your best bet is to ask a Jewish woman to do it,” Giffords, a former state senator, said at the time. “Jewish women -- by our tradition and by the way we were raised -- have an ability to cut through all the reasons why something should, shouldn’t or can’t be done, and pull people together to be successful.”
Giffords, 40, was raised "mixed" by a Christian Scientist mother and Jewish father, but said she decided she was Jewish only following a visit to Israel in 2001. She attended services at a local Reform synagogue.
In a recent photo, she posed with the new U.S. House of Representatives speaker, Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio), at her swearing-in with her hand on the Five Books of Moses.
Giffords fought a hard re-election battle last year against the national anti-incumbent, anti-Democratic mood. She tacked to the right of her party on immigration, saying border security was of primary consideration.
The election was called in her favor weeks after the vote.

Giffords' office had been vandalized in March after she voted for health care reform. Friends said she had received threats for her positions on health care and for opposing her state's new law allowing police to arrest undocumented immigrants during routine stops.

The National Jewish Democratic Council suggested that the heated rhetoric of the last year contributed to the climate that led to the attack.

"One suspect, now in custody, may be directly responsible for this crime," the group said in a statement. "But it is fair to say -- in today's political climate, and given today's political rhetoric -- that many have contributed to the building levels of vitriol in our political discourse that have surely contributed to the atmosphere in which this event transpired."

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Dallas Conference on building an inclusive America

 

No American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other. The purpose of this conference is to understand the issues and find ways to remove such fears in an open forum and restore the cohesiveness of our society and work towards building a safe and secure America. 
When: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM on Sunday, December 5, 2010
Where: Unity Church,

6525 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX

. 75230

PRESS RELEASE | INVITATION

Contact: MikeGhouse@aol.com

You are invited, details below

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 and restore the cohesiveness of our society and work towards building a safe and secure America. 
Since our independence in 1776, we have been tested time and again by various political, economic and religious forces to divide us, however, at the end we have come out strong as one nation. The Civil War, the Great Depression, the World War, Pearl Harbor, Women’s rights, Abortion, the Vietnam War, Civil Rights, Budget Deficits, Unemployment, 9/11, the Iraq and Afghanistan War have all been difficult, but we will make it through and sanity will prevail.

The controversy over the Muslim Community Center in New York has unraveled the difficulties Catholics, Jews, Mormons, Wicca and others have endured.

We have come a long way to embrace and accept the otherness of other. However, this year has given rise to yet another temptation; to blame Islam, calling it an evil, evil religion and calling its prophet a false prophet. No American has to live in fear of the other, nor live in anxieties or discomfort.

Religion has been “abused” and “misused” to someone’s advantage, as Americans, are we going to let that happen? No, we can pull ourselves together and not fall for the temptations to divide ourselves.

If we make an effort, goodness will come to our rescue.   Mike Ghouse adds, “As members of diverse family of faiths, we seek to demystify the myths, malice 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, a conference is a positive response to negative sermons delivered from a few pulpits of America this year.”

The Conference puts the Quraan in the hands of panelists made up of Pastors, Rabbis, Pundits, Shamans, Clergy, lay persons, elected officers and the public. 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 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 share the additional information right from the very Quraan for further understanding.

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. 

When: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM on Sunday, December 5, 2010
Where: Unity Church,

6525 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX

. 75230

Event: Qur’aan Conference in Dallas
Purpose: To demystify the myths about Quraan and Islam
Website: http://www.quraanconference.com/
Inquiries: quraanconference@gmail.com
RSVP: Confirmattendance@gmail.com
Call: Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916

THE EVENT IS FREE

Thank you.
Mike Ghouse for
A COHESIVE AMERICA,
AMERICANS TOGETHERhttp://www.quraanconference.com/ 

Documentary – listed at www.QuraanConference.com