The Threat of Islamophobia to American Muslim Civil Rights

The following is a written statement submitted by Dr. Muqtedar Khan to senate judiciary subcommittee on the constitution, civil society and human rights.

Islamophobia is witnessing a spectacular growth in the American public sphere. It creates an environment that casts suspicion on all Muslims, demonizes their faith and makes their lives difficult in small and big ways. There are increasing incidents of discrimination while travelling, in the job market, and while reentering the country after foreign trips. Every time Muslims try to construct a place of worship it is being used as an opportunity for Islam bashing and to garner political capital at the expense of Muslims. Law enforcement agencies, even though they enjoy a great deal of cooperation from the community continue to use religious profiling as a tool. The systematic and steady erosion of Muslim civil rights is also a slow and systematic corrosion of our constitution and our democracy.

Please refer to the original posting for accuracy, the words may have jumbled due to conversion from pdf.
http://udel.academia.edu/MuqtedarKhan/Papers/491659/TheThreat_of_Islamophobia_to_American_Muslim_Civil_Rights_Written_Statement_Submitted_into_Records_of_the_Senate_Judiciary_Subcommittee_on_Constitution_and_Human_Rights
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WRITTEN STATEMENT SUBMITTED TO SENATE JUDICIARY SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE CONSTITUTION, CIVIL SOCIETY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
“Protecting the Civil Rights of American Muslims”
Tuesday | March 29, 2011 |10:00 a.m. | Dirksen Senate Office Building Rm226

The Threat of Islamophobia to American Muslim Civil Rights
Dr. Muqtedar Khan
Associate Professor, University of Delaware
Fellow, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding

"The overwhelming majority of Muslim Americans are outstanding Americans and make enormous contributions to our country" – Rep. Peter King, Republican from NY. I want to preface my comments with an expression of gratitude to Senator Richard Durbin from Illinois for raising national awareness about the precarious condition of American Muslims’ civil rights. At a time when Muslim bashing has become the country’s favorite past time, it is indeed lionhearted of Senator Durbin to recognize that Muslims too are Americans and therefore entitled to the same human rights that all other Americans enjoy. More importantly this hearing sends the message that not all Americans are Islamophobic and that America does take its responsibility to safeguard Muslims and their civil rights seriously. I also want to express my thanks for giving me this opportunity to contribute a written statement on the issue at hand. It is indeed a
great honor.

For the past few months, American Muslims have been forced to suffer an incredibly hostile civic environment in which, prominent politicians, religious leaders and political commentators have expressed egregiously hateful sentiments towards Muslims and their beliefs. Some prominent mainstream leaders have launched sustained campaigns to marginalize American Muslims and deprive them of protections guaranteed by the
2
Bill of Rights enshrined in our constitution. State after state has embarked on legislative endeavors to make the practice of Islam illegal in the World’s oldest democracy.

Using disingenuous and mendacious distinctions between Islam and Islamic Shariah, between Muslims and radical Muslims; a coalition of individuals and groups associated with the far right and conservative perspective are using  are seeking to make the very practice of Islam unacceptable in America. An emerging anti‐Muslim ideology is using hateful symbolism such as ‘Quran burning’ falsely claiming that ‘0% of American Muslims are extremists’ and political gamesmanship like ‘anning the shariah’to create and sustain an atmosphere and culture of extreme hostility, suspicion, and hate towards Islam and Muslims. It is this hateful ethos that is putting Muslim rights at risk. It encourages people to ill‐treat Muslims and allows law enforcement to act without regard for the constitutional rights of Muslims.

Admittedly there have been several instances of terrorism related instances involving American Muslims in the past 10 years and they have caused 40 deaths. The most prominent generator of anti‐American hate on the Internet, which now enjoys monopoly as the dominant source of radicalization of American Muslims, is Anwar Awlaki, an American born Muslim. The threat of terrorism remains a vital concern and American Muslims more than anyone else are acutely aware of it for terrorism presents a double threat to American Muslims. American Muslims are as likely to be victims of terrorism as anyone else, but unlike everyone else they also have to suffer the consequence of the
inevitable backlash.

Usually in democracies, laws, leaders and law enforcement agencies, protect minority rights and hate groups and fringe elements become threats, but unfortunately in the U.S. these very same guardians have become fountainheads of discrimination. This, in my opinion is the biggest danger since this trend is  of my statement, I will highlight the two main trends through which Islamophobia is becoming a national phenomenon that then leads to a rights compromising culture. law as cover for prejudice and mainstreaming Islamophobia. In the rest

Law as Cover for Islamophobia
A prominent segment of the American political right, associated with the emerging conservative social movement the Tea Party, has deployed a two‐prong strategy to demonize Islam and Muslim beliefs. Their strategy seeks to argue that (a) the U.S. constitutional guarantees with regards to freedom of speech do not apply to Islam and (b) they seek to in fact ban the very practice of Islam in the U.S. by moving state legislatures to “an the Sharia” This subversive strategy that uses both the US Constitution and law in the service of intolerance reflects either a misunderstanding of the idea of religious liberty or a deliberate disregard for the very principle of religious freedom.

Islam and the First Amendment
Bryan Fischer, of the American Family Association is one of the many conservatives advocating the idea that the first amendment in the U.S. constitution does not protect non‐Christians. He argues that the First Amendment was written to protect Christianity and does not protect Islam because Islam requires Muslims to rob, kill and pillage Christians.  not be allowed to protect Islam have been made by General William Boykin veteran turned preacher of hate, Lynne Torgerson a Republican Congressional Candidate from Minnesota in the general elections of 2010 prominent conservative and a longtime Editor‐in‐Chief of The New Republic.1 Similar statements arguing that the First Amendment does not or should2, a U.S. army3, and Martin Peretz a4

This idea that the US Constitution does not protect Islam is a declaration of war on the civil rights and human rights of American Muslims. It is also an assault on the US Constitution. In order to make discrimination against Muslims legally and politically acceptable, these hate mongering Islamophobes, have to first maul and diminish the US constitution. Discrediting their view does not only serve to protect American Muslims’civil rights but also the dignity and sanctity of the US. Constitution. If a handful of extremists and fringe elements were airing these sentiments, then they can be ignored as cost of free speech in a free society, but if it is a concerted effort by a prominent section of the society and geared towards to impacting national policy, then it should be recognized for what it is, a threat to the most precious of American values – freedom of religion.

James Iredell, one of the first justices of the U.S. Supreme Court and a devout Anglican Christian who knew the founding fathers and the framers of the constitution personally, maintained that: “I consider the clause under consideration as one of the strongest proofs that could be adduced, that it was the intention of those who formed this system to establish a general religious liberty in America.”

He also emphasized explicitly that the First Amendment protects Muslims (he used the term Mohematans a term often used in the past to identify Muslims as followers of Prophet Muhammed), and excluding them would undermine the very principle of religious liberty and open the door for persecution.

“But it is objected that the people of America may, perhaps, choose representatives who have no religion at all, and that pagans and Mahometans may be admitted into offices. But how is it possible to exclude any set of men, without taking away that principle of religious freedom which we ourselves so warmly contend for? This is the foundation on which persecution has been raised in every part of the world. The people in power were always right, and everybody else wrong. If you admit the least difference, the door to persecution is opened.”

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The views of Justice Iredell, I submit, are representative of the fact that the original intent of the First Amendment did not exclude Muslims from its purview. Indeed it protects Muslims from precisely the kind of exclusionary politics advanced by the likes of Martin Peretz and Bryan Fischer.

Making Shariah Illegal

For the past one‐year, Republican State legislators have been attempting to pass bills that will ban the practice of Islamic Sharia in the U.S. and in U.S. courts. This is allegedly a preemptive strategy to prevent the imposition of Sharia in America. The endeavor has manifested itself in different avatars in Tennessee, Missouri and Florida. A referendum to the same effect was stayed in Oklahoma. It is apparent that unless the US Constitution is amended such laws, even if passed by bigoted legislators, will not pass muster at the courts. But I suspect that the media attention that such initiatives garner have become a source of political capital for some members of the Republican party who are determined to traffic in prejudice for political gain. But the damage these pernicious legal shenanigans bring to the social fabric of our country is immeasurable. The discourse that is necessary in order to pass anti‐Sharia bills is making hatred part of the daily diet of Americans.

The anti‐Sharia advocates try to make the distinction between peaceful practice of Islam and the hateful rhetoric of terrorists when they are questioned, but their discourse includes false propaganda that Islam preaches the killing of Christians, and that the Sharia is a narrow legal doctrine limited to hateful things. The Sharia in fact encompasses both –Islamic belief and Islamic practice. Banning the Sharia entails prohibiting Muslims from believing that there is one God, from giving alms to the poor, from fasting, from pilgrimage and from prayer; since all these pillars of Islam are the cardinal elements of the Sharia. The Sharia also teaches Muslims that Christians are not infidels but tradition of monotheism. people of the book who belong with Jews and Muslims to the Abrahamic7

This whole premise that America will be Islamized if preemptive steps are not taken is laughable. According to a religious identification survey, 76% of Americans identify themselves as Christians conservative politicians and concerned Christians, they have failed to impose on America, one principle of the Christian Sharia ‐‐ prohibition of abortion. How can Muslims who according to the same survey constitute less than 1% of the population, living in an America infested with Islamophobia, impose the Sharia on the rest of America? In fact even in countries where Muslims are in overwhelming majority they have managed to implement the Sharia often in only symbolic ways. The anti‐Sharia
advocates are needlessly undermining our social and cultural harmony by fighting a fight that is absolutely unnecessary.

The principle purpose of the Bill of Rights in the US constitution is twofold; to ensure equality and justice. The protection of religious liberty requires that all Americans be treated equally when it comes to the practice of religion. No legal differentiation is acceptable. And all enjoy the opportunity to not only practice their religious beliefs but to defend and express them. The various legal strategies that Islamophobes are employing against Islam and Muslims are an affront to the very idea of liberty.

I conclude by quoting the doyen of religious liberty in America, Thomas Jefferson who settled this issue long before the U.S. Constitution was even crafted. Writing about the rejection of the effort by some in the State of Virginia to limit religious freedoms enshrined in the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom in 1786, which guarantees the religious liberty of all people, Jefferson wrote:

“as rejected by the great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mahometan, the Hindoo, the infidel of every denomination.”6

The issue of whether Muslims’ religious liberty is protected in America was settled ages ago. It is a shame that we need to remind ourselves of it again.

8. In spite of this majority and after decades of activism by

Islamophobia as a Spectacle

Islamophobia has become a public spectacle. Religious leaders, politicians and members of the new emerging news‐cum‐celebrity profession of radio and television hosts, are all resorting to Muslim bashing as an easy way to attract media attention, raise funds and increase their public profile and in some circles popularity. Wearing bigotry on one’ sleeve as a badge of honor has become a performative style in American political culture.

Two recent events, a congressional hearing hosted by Rep. Peter King the Chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security on Muslim Radicalization on March 10, 2011, and the burning of the Quran on March 21, 2011 by Pastor Terry Jones and his congregation in Florida after holding a “rial of the Quran” become a spectator sport. The Peter King hearing was designed to use the august institution of the Congress to propagate two beliefs held by Congressman Peter King; (a) that Muslims are not cooperating with US law enforcement in the struggle against terrorists and (b) that a vast majority of Muslims, over 80% of them, are radicalized. Peter King’s struggle to find reliable sources who would corroborate his prejudicial fancies are well recorded in the media. There is overwhelming evidence that proves that most American Muslims are law abiding and moderate in their outlook, and many of the terror plots exposed in the past have been due to cooperation from the Muslim community. To his credit, Peter King did recognize this. See his comment quoted at the
beginning of this statement.

Peter Kings’ hearings did not make America safer. They made American Muslim civil rights unsafe, demonized an entire community and may actually contribute to radicalizing and alienating some Muslims and reducing their cooperation with the government. But the hearings did generate a spectacle of prejudice and definitely raised
Peter King’s profile among those with whom intolerance and hatred sits comfortably. It also confirmed the view of many in the Muslim World that America’s war against Islam is not over yet. These hearings were such a bonanza for radical groups efforts at recruitment that surely Al Qaeda would have been happy to sponsor them.

The mock trial of the Quran that Pastor Terry Jones oversaw and the punishment that he meted out to the Holy Quran ironically shows that it is not the Quran but Christian pastors like Jones who are guilty of propagating and preaching hate. The act was clearly designed to insult millions of devout Muslims who revere the Quran. But sadly it was also an attempt to win a bigger share of the market of prejudice that now thrives in the U.S.

9, show how Islamophobia has

Final Thoughts

Islamophobia is witnessing a spectacular growth in the American public sphere. It creates an environment that casts suspicion on all Muslims, demonizes their faith and makes their lives difficult in small and big ways. There are increasing incidents of discrimination while travelling, in the job market, and while reentering the country after foreign trips. Every time Muslims try to construct a place of worship it is being used as an opportunity for Islam bashing and to garner political capital at the expense of Muslims. Law enforcement agencies, even though they enjoy a great deal of cooperation from the community continue to use religious profiling as a tool. The systematic and steady erosion of Muslim civil rights is also a slow and systematic corrosion of our constitution and our democracy.

Dear members of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, as members of the United States Senate, you all have sworn to uphold and defend the US constitution. The biggest threat to the constitution today manifests as Islamophobia. Protect the constitution by rejecting Islamophobia.

1
in See Bryan Fischer, “Islam and the First Amendment: Privileges but not Rights,” publishedRenew America, March 24, 2011. See on the World Wide Web at:
http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/fischer/110324

2
info/2011/02/25/an‐essay‐by‐gen‐william‐g‐boykin‐former‐u‐s‐general‐saysconstitution‐should‐not‐protect‐muslims/

General William Boykin’s Essay on the subject can be read here: http://www.euroislam.

3
1st‐amendment‐status/ Seehttp://loganswarning.com/2009/12/11/togerson‐for‐congress‐islam‐should‐nothave‐

4

See http://www.tnr.com/blog/77475/the‐new‐york‐times‐laments‐sadly‐warymisunderstanding‐muslim‐americans‐really‐it‐sadly‐w

5

See his comments made during the debate in North Carolina ratifying convention  http://press‐pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/print_documents/amendI_religions52.html

6

See Ibid.

7
“haria is based on Ten Commandments,”The OnFaith blog of The Washington Post, August 4, 2010. See my argument about the compatibility of the Islamic Sharia and Judeo‐Christian values,
http://onfaith.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/muqtedar_khan/2010/07/islamic_shariah_is_based_on_the_ten_commandments.html

8  The survey was conducted by Barry A. Kosmin and Ariela Keysar of Trinity College, see  http://b27.cc.trincoll.edu/weblogs/AmericanReligionSurvey‐
ARIS/reports/ARIS_Report_2008.pdf

9 http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2011‐03‐21‐quran‐burning‐florida_N.htmUsually in democracies, laws, leaders and law enforcement agencies, protect minoritymainstreaming Islamophobia. In the rest

Senator Durbin’s initiative to hold hearings on Civil Rights of Muslim is welcomed

PRESS RELEASE

Americans and Muslims together welcome Senator Durbin’s initiative to hold hearings on civil rights of Muslims.

Dallas, March 23, 2011

Mike Ghouse, President of America Together Foundation, welcomes the initiative of Sen. Dick Durbin’s announcement to hold hearings in to the civil rights of American Muslims.

No American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other.  It is in the interests of every Patriotic American to work for a cohesive society where we focus on being a catalyst to each others’ well being, safety and prosperity.

The organization 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.

America Together foundation is an extension of 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.

We hope the hearings will focus on the Civil rights of Muslim Americans and bring justice and hope to fellow Americans.

Mike Ghouse, President

America Together Foundation, committed to building cohesive societies
http://www.americatogetherfoundation.com/

2665 Villa Creek Dr, suite 206

Dallas, TX 75234

(214) 325-1916

http://americatogetherfoundation.blogspot.com/2011/03/senator-durbins-initiative-to-hold.html

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.

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 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

Thanks to Unity Church of Dallas

A successful conference on Qur’aan was initiated by America Together Foundation at the Unity Church with ten panelists representing different faiths. It was not an Islamic or a Muslim conference, it was indeed an American conference where the beliefs of one group of Americans were mis-represented by the other and the need to de-falsify was in critical to build a cohesive America.

We thank the Unity Church for their support, pictures and the details are http://www.quraanconference.com/

I was on Fox TV discussing Egypt with Sean Hannity and Robert Spencer and the topic turned to Qur’aan.

Here is the latest on Fox TV with Hannity and Spencer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5Q64RUxSd4   

Spencer goes on to mis-quote Quraanic verses. There is not a holy book that tells its followers to lie, and Spencer says it is an Islamic thing to lie and pretend. He should know better than that, Americans are not dumb people, they will verify it before believing him. He was quoting verse 3:28 and I am producing verses 3:25 through 3:31 for the readers to judge.

You can buy a copy of the Qur’aan translated by Mohammad Asad or go online at http://www.islamicity.com/QuranSearch/ and plug in the verse numbers 3:28 and search with Asad translation.
If you are a researcher and have a genuine interest in finding the truth, we will furnish you an authenticated copy of the Qur’aan translation by Muhammad Asad.

Search For: 3:25-3:31 - -

Al-Imran (The Family of Imran) ·  3:25 (Asad) How, then, [will they fare] when We shall gather them all together to witness the Day about [the coming of] which there is no doubt, and every human being shall be repaid in full for what he has done, and none shall be wronged?

·  3:26 (Asad) SAY: "O God, Lord of all dominion! Thou grantest dominion unto whom Thou willest, and takest away dominion from whom Thou willest; and Thou exaltest whom Thou willest, and abasest whom Thou willest. In Thy hand is all good. Verily, Thou hast the power to will anything.

·  3:27 (Asad) "Thou makest the night grow longer by shortening the day, and Thou makest the day grow longer by shortening the night. And Thou bringest forth the living out of that which is dead, and Thou bringest forth the dead out of that which is alive. And Thou grantest sustenance unto whom `Thou willest, beyond all reckoning."

·  3:28 (Asad) LET NOT the believers take those who deny the truth for their allies in preference to the believers [19] - since he who does this cuts himself off from God in everything - unless it be to protect yourselves against them in this way. [20] But God warns you to beware of Him: for with God is all journeys' end. Note 19 (Quran Ref: 3:28 ) I.e., in cases where the interests of those "deniers of the truth" clash with the interests of believers (Manar 111, 278). Regarding the deeper implications of the term "allies" (awliya'), see 4:139 and the corresponding note.(Quran Ref: 3:28 ) Note 20 (Quran Ref: 3:28 ) Lit., "unless you fear from them something that is to be feared". Zamakhshari explains this phrase as meaning, "unless you have reason to fear that they might do something which ought to be guarded against" - obviously referring to situations in which "those who deny the truth" are more powerful than the Muslims, and are therefore in a position to damage the latter unless they become their "allies" in a political or moral sense.(Quran Ref: 3:28 )

·  3:29 (Asad) Say: "Whether you conceal what is in your hearts [21] or bring it into the open, God knows it: for He knows all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth; and God has the power to will anything."

·  3:30 (Asad) On the Day when every human being will find himself faced with all the good that he has done, and with all the evil that he has done, [many a one] will wish that there were a long span of time between himself and that [Day]. Hence, God warns you to beware of Him; but God is most compassionate towards His creatures.

·  3:31 (Asad) Say [O Prophet]: "If you love God, follow me, [and] God will love you and forgive you your sins; for God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace."

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.

Mike Ghouse is a thinker, writer, speaker, futurist and an activist of Pluralism, Interfaith, Co-existence, Peace and Islam. He is a frequent guest at the TV, radio and print media offering pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. His work is reflected at three websites and 21 Blogs listed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

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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

Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides

You are cordially invited to the 4^th Annual Reflections on

Holocaust and Genocides

When: 6:00 PM Thursday, January 27, 2011

Where: Unity Church,

2625 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX 75230

The 4th Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides is set for January 27, 2011.

This particular date was adopted by the sixtieth session of the United Nations on November 21, 2005, “Resolves that the United Nations will designate 27 January as an annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.”

In the past, the events were scheduled on Sundays to accommodate Jewish community’s presence, however this year the date falls on Thursday, a non-Sabbath day and hence the event on Thursday evening.

We are deeply committed to education and relentlessly pursuing to build cohesive societies and we hope to create a model for the world to emulate.

There is a shameless cruelty in us, either we shy away from facing or refuse to acknowledge the sufferings of others, worrying that it will devalue our own or somehow it amounts to infidelity to our own cause. We cannot justify massacres arrogantly believing that the victims deserved it or asked for it.

We have to learn and to acknowledge and reflect upon the terrible things we have inflicted upon each other and have to commit to ourselves to resist the temptations to be prejudiced and stereotype others. We cannot demand peace unless we are peaceful ourselves.

Our safety hinges on the safety of others around us, and it behooves us to work for the safety and security of others on this little planet. We have to be continuously aware of the Holocaust and Genocides and prepare us to avert such tragedies.

SUMMARY
What: Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides
Theme: Stereotyping and its effects on Societies
Where: Unity Church of Dallas
Program: 6:000 - 8:30 PM,
When: Thursday, January 27, 2010
Address: 2625 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX. 75230
RSVP: ConfirmAttendance@gmail.com
Detail of Past events at: http://www.holocaustandgenocides.com/  

 

Supporting Organizations: Dallas Peace Center, Universal Peace Federation and your organization (call to be included).

It is an initiative of American Muslims striving to build responsible civic societies, where justice and co-existence are our values.

To all those, who have endured holocaust, genocides, massacres, bombs, annihilation, land mines, hunger, rape, torture, occupation and inhuman brutality, we say we share your fears and apprehensions.

The least we can do in the process of healing is to acknowledge every one's pain in one voice. We have begun the process of coming together as one people, to stand with you, we are indeed one world and a single humanity, and caring for each other brings safety and peace to all of us. I cannot be safe if the people around me are not, and I will not have peace if people around me don't. It is in my interest to seek a peaceful world for one and all.

We are working on initiating a course on tolerance education, so one day; we all can learn to have a heart that opens to the pain of every human, yes, we can do that.

Mike Ghouse for a cohesive America
Chair, America Together Foundation 
(214) 325-1916
Conference on Holocaust and Genocides and
IV Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides.
http://www.holocaustandgenocides.com/

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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Launch of America together foundation

America Together Foundation - We are pleased to announce the launch of America Together foundation, committed to building a cohesive America. The date of the launch was Christmas day, the birth of Jesus, my Pluralist mentor and model.

          The organization 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. 

We are in the stage of forming bylaws and setting up the charter to open its presence in every city in America. If you have an interest, please check the site and related sites and call me to be a part of the foundation http://americatogetherfoundation.blogspot.com/2010/12/launch-of-america-together-foundation.html

Louisville Quraan Conference

Please mark your calendar for the upcoming Quraan Conference in Louisville.

The purpose of the conference is to weed out the myths from reality.

As members of the diverse family of faiths, we need to work on mitigating the ill-will and falsification of our respective faiths. What is the bottom line?  No one has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other.  If we can learn to accept the otherness of other and respect the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.

I need your help to make this happen. Please let me know how you can be a contributor towards a cohesive America,  and I further request to forward this to your groups and friends via the forward link below.

We need to invite elected officials, mayors, clergy, shamans, rabbis, pastors, pundits, imams and people in leadership roles along with the public.  

SUMMARY
What: Qur’aan Conference
Purpose: To demystify myths about Quraan & Islam
When: Sunday, February 20, 2011 (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Where: Cathedral of the Assumption
Address: 433 S. Fifth Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Details on Website: www.quraanconference.com/
RSVP/Inquiries: quraanconference@gmail.com

Quraan Conference by Non-Muslim PanelistsPRESS RELEASE

Hate is one of the many sources of disrupting peace in a society, and it is our responsibility to track down the source of such hate and mitigate it for the benefit of all Americans. No American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other.     

Since our independence we have endured divisive issues like the Civil war, Vietnam War, Abortion, Prayer in School, Anti-Semitism, Civil Rights, Racism, Iraq- Afghanistan wars and the GLBT rights. Indeed we have consistently worked on the conflicts to keep America together.

Religion has been used, abused and misused to someone’s advantage, as Americans, are we going to let that happen? Absolutely not, we can pull ourselves together and not fall for the temptations to divide ourselves.

However, the newly framed hate towards fellow Americans, who follow the religion of Islam, is going to consume our energies for years to come if we do not take the right steps now.  The attacks on Qur’aan, their holy book have just begun. 

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 this year.”  If we make an effort, goodness will come to our rescue.  

A panel of Non-Muslim clergy and scholars from different faith traditions will respond to questions that the audience or the media will pose. The Panel members will be given a copy of the English translation of the Qur’aan to refer to when a question is asked about a verse. The audience will also have access to such translations. The program is NOT to glorify Islam or Quraan, but to remove the falsifications about it so we can live without fear of each other.

As Americans, we have led the world in science, medicine, technology, business and innovation, and it is time for us to lead the world with the ideals of Pluralism and co-existence. Let us become a model nation and pave the way for cohesive societies around the world.
It is time now to replace the ill-will with goodwill; no American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other.

Thank you.

Mike Ghouse
AMERICANS TOGETHER  BUILDING COHESIVE SOCITIES
http://www.quraanconference.com/ 
http://AmericaTogetherFoundation.com

(214) 325-1916

First successful event Quraan Conference

Quraan conference was the first successful event held on December 5, 2010, details are at: http://www.quraanconference.com/

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