Wake up Call to Muslims
Mike Ghouse, May 30, 2007
The Swiss move to ban minarets, the French actually ban Scarf for Muslim women in public, Australians are sending back the Sharia brokers, and Soccer international is telling Muslims girls to play by the rules or just don't play with the scarf on, ... and there is a lot more to come.
We have shamelessly complained about losing our civil rights, but have seldom done much about it. We want others do it for us, it is not going to work. Each one of us has to put in our time. I have a simple do it yourselves action plan, please consider it, on my part, I follow it every day.
All the good you intend to do is meaningless, unless you put your name to it.
As Muslims we do several things right, including attending the places of worship religiously and being good citizens. However, we fail in community relationship test miserably. This ought to be # 1 item on our list of priorities – getting to know our neighbors. We have to serve others in the community as much as we get served.
Why do we need to know others? Because many of the other people don’t really know who we are, and what they know is not necessarily the full truth. We don’t know about others either. This change would be the basis for earning a respectable place in our society.
Think about the wisdom of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) seriously for a moment, he gave us a step by step plan. The first lesson for us is to be Al Amin; the trustworthy, the truthful and the peace makers, ever ready to help others. Let’s request our Imams to focus their sermons on getting us to be the Amins of the society, please remember clearly the Prophet was called Al Amin by non-Muslims, it is a model of co-existence and living together, if we do this right, providence will move in and help us become the best citizens we can be, to be good to others and good to ourselves. Insha Allah all sorts of good things will happen to us.
1. Giving up the arrogance that the law is on our side.
2. Working on getting people to be on our side.
3. Getting to know the people we live with, work with and do business with.
4. Learning to be humble and avoid challenging that our system is better, what is the point?
5. Reciprocating and inviting neighbors to our weddings, birthdays, festivals and funerals.
6. Earning friendship on a plain human level.
7. Practicing and understanding that life is a two way street.
6. Earning friendship on a plain human level.
7. Practicing and understanding that life is a two way street.
Our mission at the World Muslim Congress is driven by the Qur'an, Al-Hujurat, Surah 49:13: "O mankind! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. The noblest of you, in sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Allah Knows and is Aware." This verse is loaded with wisdom.
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2007/05/wake-up-call-to-muslims-mg.html -
Please feel free to forward the link or this column.
Thank you.
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer. He is president of the Foundation for Pluralism and is a frequent guest on talk radio, discussing interfaith, political and civic issues. He founded the World Muslim Congress with a simple theme " good for Muslims and good for the world." Mike believes that if people can learn to accept and respect the God given uniqueness of each one of the 7 billion of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. His personal Website is www.MikeGhouse.net and his articles can be found on the Websites mentioned above and in his blogs: http://MikeGhouseforAmerica.Blogspot.com and http://MikeGhouse.Sulekha.com . He can be reached at MikeGhouse@gmail.com. Mike lives in Carrollton with his family and has been a Dallasite since 1980.
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer. He is president of the Foundation for Pluralism and is a frequent guest on talk radio, discussing interfaith, political and civic issues. He founded the World Muslim Congress with a simple theme " good for Muslims and good for the world." Mike believes that if people can learn to accept and respect the God given uniqueness of each one of the 7 billion of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. His personal Website is www.MikeGhouse.net and his articles can be found on the Websites mentioned above and in his blogs: http://MikeGhouseforAmerica.Blogspot.com and http://MikeGhouse.Sulekha.com . He can be reached at MikeGhouse@gmail.com. Mike lives in Carrollton with his family and has been a Dallasite since 1980.
Related corrospendence on the subject:
________________________________________________
David
My friend, may God bless you...let's hope more of us can do this... thanks
Mike
In a message dated 6/1/2007 2:16:52 P.M. Central Standard Time, humanitycheck@earthlink.net writes:
Muslim interfaith peace pioneer Mike Ghouse, of Texas, offers some advice I would like to see believers in every Faith hear and embrace: "Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) ... gave us a step by step plan. The first lesson for us is to be Al Amin; the trustworthy, the truthful and the peace makers, ever ready to help others. Let’s request our Imams to focus their sermons on getting us to be the Amins of the society, please remember clearly the Prophet was called Al Amin by non-Muslims, it is a model of co-existence and living together, if we do this right, providence will move in and help us become the best citizens we can be, to be good to others and good to ourselves. Insha Allah all sorts of good things will happen to us." Imagine the World we might enjoy if religious leaders of every Faith urged their believers to become active agents of compassionate good will toward all people, and committed peace builders. Mike Ghouse reminds us that the founders of our Faiths DID give us that instruction . What can we do to bring that instruction back to the center of our spiritual life? Assalaamu alaikum. Shalom. Namaste. Peace. --
David L. Hoffman June 1, 2007
Wake up Call to Muslims
By Mike Ghouse, World Muslim Congress May 30, 2007
---------------------------------------------
J. Chris Killough, Pastor, St. Columba Celtic Church, Professor of ReligionSubject:
Re: Wake up call to non-Muslims -
Dear Mike, I am much encouraged by your response. We are in dangerous times and the smell of war is near. I had an experience this week that demonstrated how thin the ice is upon which we stand. One of the colleges where I teach an “Intro to Islam” course received numerous angry calls after a local liberal radio talk show host blasted the school for teaching Islam but not Christianity or other religions. In fact, I do teach the other religions there but damage was done and demands that the course be stopped were made. Fortunately the administration didn’t shut down the class but only asked that I rename it in a way that makes it clear that the class is a survey and not proselytizing. I spent many hours putting out this fire. I was particularly amazed by this event because it wasn’t right-wingers calling, but liberals! This tells me that people are getting very thin skinned.
------------------------------------------------
Chris,
I did not address one of the issues you had raised - that of "I hope you will also endorse lightening up on the demands Muslims make that we change our culture and afford special privileges while giving up our own rights and culture.".
Indeed we have demanded lightening up...Here are the links, we have asked organizations to back off from such demands. The discussion group is full of messages... I have gone against all those who demand but not give....It is a two way street. I have a membership of over 5000 in five sub groups.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WorldMuslimCongress/message/3928
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2007/03/cair-no-law-suit-please.html
Please check this (if you have the time... it is very long). Symposium - One Islam. http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2007/04/symposiumone-islam.html
Dialogue is the only way to solve issues, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Mike Ghouse
In a message dated 6/1/2007 7:51:37 A.M. Central Standard Time, MikeGhouse writes:
Dear Chris,
Our membership is growing and just about every Muslim that has seen our mission, is subscribing to it. Indeed, Justice is the hallmark of Islam, indeed what you have alluded to is stated in our mission statement
"Our Mission is to work for a world of co-existence through inclusiveness and participation. As a member of diverse family of faiths, our efforts will be directed towards justice and equity to attain peace for the humankind with a firm grounding in commonly held values. We cannot have advantages at the cost of others. Such benefits are temporary and deleterious to lasting peace. We believe what is good for Muslims has got to be good for the world, and vice versa, to sustain it.
Indeed we aspire to promote goodwill amongst people of different affiliations, regardless of their faith, gender, race, nationality, culture or any other uniqueness blessed by the creator."
Please take a look at the full length statement on our website http://www.worldmuslimcongress.com/
Religion is never the problem, it is the individuals we have to watch, and all of us are in it together to create a better world.
Mike Ghouse
In a message dated 6/1/2007 3:15:17 A.M. Central Daylight Time, jkillough@comcast.net writes:
Dear Mike,
Yes, you are correct. There is a lot more to come. As long as Muslims or any group of people demand special privileges that run counter to the host culture or infringe on other’s rights there will hopefully be lawful resistance to the usurping of one culture over the other. Why should the Judeo-Christian Decalogue and Christmas displays be banned from public places in a traditionally Judeo-Christian culture while Muslim prayer rooms are set aside in public schools (i.e. Tamalpias High, Marin County, CA) for Muslim students? Why should non-Muslims (infidels) tolerate Muslim cab drivers who refuse to pick up people carrying alcoholic beverages or with dogs? How should these non-Muslims (Kafirs) feel when those same cab drivers demand and get special fixtures in public restrooms to perform ablutions for their required 5 daily prayers? The list goes on and is getting longer but you are right; it is creating a backlash. Muslims are becoming resented around the world because of these kinds of escalating demands that are not granted for anyone else. What kind of accommodations might one find for Christians or Jews in any of the 58 or so Muslim countries around the world? I mean aside from jail cells and dhimmitude.
Your suggestions to your fellow Muslims for getting along better with their neighbors are excellent. I hope you will also endorse lightening up on the demands Muslims make that we change our culture and afford special privileges while giving up our own rights and culture. What is happening is that non-Muslims around the world are not just sick and terrified of radical Muslim violence they are also getting sick of the in-your-face attitude of aggressive Muslims and Muslim advocacy groups making escalating demands that seem to be preparing the way for the new Caliphate. Why do you think names like Londonistan and Euarbia are being cynically inserted into our language?
On one hand you seem to be endorsing tolerance in diversity but at the same time pushing a very specific Muslims-first agenda. You are a Muslim and I support your right and moral duty to protect and advocate your faith. Here in America you are even welcome to proselytize. I hope to continue to have a positive dialogue and interaction with you and good people from all cultures, but I am getting very nervous about the future of my own rights in the face of Islamic triumphalism. Let us face the fact that where religion is concerned the laws of logic demand that if one is “right” the rest are wrong. In admitting that fact and acknowledging that there will continue to be a plethora of religions we must insist, as you do, on polite and gracious tolerance and refuse to allow for special privileges or the ascendancy of any religious group into a position of power over others. For the time being it seems that the United States is one of the few places that may still be possible. There certainly doesn’t seem to be any possibility of this in Islamic countries. I think we all need to be very careful and considerate in the advocacy and protection of our collective religious rights. They are very fragile as history has taught us. They are non-existent is most places on earth.
Thank you for keeping me up on your thoughts and activities; I hope to meet you someday.
God bless,
J. Chris Killough
Pastor, St. Columba Celtic Church
----------------------------------------------------
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Chris,
I did not address one of the issues you had raised - that of "I hope you will also endorse lightening up on the demands Muslims make that we change our culture and afford special privileges while giving up our own rights and culture.".
Indeed we have demanded lightening up...Here are the links, we have asked organizations to back off from such demands. The discussion group is full of messages... I have gone against all those who demand but not give....It is a two way street. I have a membership of over 5000 in five sub groups.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WorldMuslimCongress/message/3928
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2007/03/cair-no-law-suit-please.html
Please check this (if you have the time... it is very long). Symposium - One Islam. http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2007/04/symposiumone-islam.html
Dialogue is the only way to solve issues, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Mike Ghouse
In a message dated 6/1/2007 7:51:37 A.M. Central Standard Time, MikeGhouse writes:
Dear Chris,
Our membership is growing and just about every Muslim that has seen our mission, is subscribing to it. Indeed, Justice is the hallmark of Islam, indeed what you have alluded to is stated in our mission statement
"Our Mission is to work for a world of co-existence through inclusiveness and participation. As a member of diverse family of faiths, our efforts will be directed towards justice and equity to attain peace for the humankind with a firm grounding in commonly held values. We cannot have advantages at the cost of others. Such benefits are temporary and deleterious to lasting peace. We believe what is good for Muslims has got to be good for the world, and vice versa, to sustain it.
Indeed we aspire to promote goodwill amongst people of different affiliations, regardless of their faith, gender, race, nationality, culture or any other uniqueness blessed by the creator."
Please take a look at the full length statement on our website http://www.worldmuslimcongress.com/
Religion is never the problem, it is the individuals we have to watch, and all of us are in it together to create a better world.
Mike Ghouse
In a message dated 6/1/2007 3:15:17 A.M. Central Daylight Time, jkillough@comcast.net writes:
Dear Mike,
Yes, you are correct. There is a lot more to come. As long as Muslims or any group of people demand special privileges that run counter to the host culture or infringe on other’s rights there will hopefully be lawful resistance to the usurping of one culture over the other. Why should the Judeo-Christian Decalogue and Christmas displays be banned from public places in a traditionally Judeo-Christian culture while Muslim prayer rooms are set aside in public schools (i.e. Tamalpias High, Marin County, CA) for Muslim students? Why should non-Muslims (infidels) tolerate Muslim cab drivers who refuse to pick up people carrying alcoholic beverages or with dogs? How should these non-Muslims (Kafirs) feel when those same cab drivers demand and get special fixtures in public restrooms to perform ablutions for their required 5 daily prayers? The list goes on and is getting longer but you are right; it is creating a backlash. Muslims are becoming resented around the world because of these kinds of escalating demands that are not granted for anyone else. What kind of accommodations might one find for Christians or Jews in any of the 58 or so Muslim countries around the world? I mean aside from jail cells and dhimmitude.
Your suggestions to your fellow Muslims for getting along better with their neighbors are excellent. I hope you will also endorse lightening up on the demands Muslims make that we change our culture and afford special privileges while giving up our own rights and culture. What is happening is that non-Muslims around the world are not just sick and terrified of radical Muslim violence they are also getting sick of the in-your-face attitude of aggressive Muslims and Muslim advocacy groups making escalating demands that seem to be preparing the way for the new Caliphate. Why do you think names like Londonistan and Euarbia are being cynically inserted into our language?
On one hand you seem to be endorsing tolerance in diversity but at the same time pushing a very specific Muslims-first agenda. You are a Muslim and I support your right and moral duty to protect and advocate your faith. Here in America you are even welcome to proselytize. I hope to continue to have a positive dialogue and interaction with you and good people from all cultures, but I am getting very nervous about the future of my own rights in the face of Islamic triumphalism. Let us face the fact that where religion is concerned the laws of logic demand that if one is “right” the rest are wrong. In admitting that fact and acknowledging that there will continue to be a plethora of religions we must insist, as you do, on polite and gracious tolerance and refuse to allow for special privileges or the ascendancy of any religious group into a position of power over others. For the time being it seems that the United States is one of the few places that may still be possible. There certainly doesn’t seem to be any possibility of this in Islamic countries. I think we all need to be very careful and considerate in the advocacy and protection of our collective religious rights. They are very fragile as history has taught us. They are non-existent is most places on earth.
Thank you for keeping me up on your thoughts and activities; I hope to meet you someday.
God bless,
J. Chris Killough
Pastor, St. Columba Celtic Church
----------------------------------------------------
To comment on this bulletin
Go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Humanitycheck/
and join the Humanity Check listserve.
Humanity Check
Interfaith Peace and Reconciliation Project
e-mail: humanitycheck@earthlink.net
Web Site: http://home.earthlink.net/~humanitycheck
Listserve: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Humanitycheck/
Members Share their opinions:
Iftekhar Hai - :: Re: Wake up call to Muslims
David Hoffman - Muslim Peace Builder: Let's Make Islam Synonymous with Interfaith Good W...
J. Chris Killough - Wake up call to non-Muslims
Alan Border -Ties with Non-Muslims
We appreciate Chris Killough for sharing the incident related to the subject. It is critical
that we focus on community building - Original article at: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2007/05/wake-up-call-to-muslims-mg.html
David, we appreciate your focus on community building.
Mike Ghouse
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "Iftekhar Hai" Date: Fri Jun 1, 2007 11:55 am
Subject: RE: MuslimAgenda :: Re: Wake up call to Muslims
Mike:
What the Pastor J. Chris Killough has said I have also heard from numerous others - American Muslims some how want to enforce their religious practices in secular offices where they are hired for their talents. Pastor J. Chris lives in the SF Bay Area - I know him well. What he says is not unreasonable - if American Muslims hear with compassion.
There are cases where once when an American Muslim (not all - but a few of them) gets a job and is confirmed. He may start growing a beard or a women may start wearing the head covering. Second thing that they demand is a place to say prayers. Then comes Ramadan when they want to shorten their working hours and take frequent breaks for prayers.
All this isolates Muslims against all the 14 or 15 prominent religious groups - who never make such demands on their employers.
This is called religionizing - the secular atmosphere of corporate America where everyone goes to earn their livelihood. American Muslims are foremost in exhibiting their religiousity that creates animosity. And we all do this under the banner of Freedom of Religion. This is why today employers are reluctant to hire American Muslims. And the situation is getting worst everyday when you hear about the taxi-drivers in Minnesota and Muslim workers of Target who refuse to handle pork, ham or alcohol.
Iftekhar Hai UMA Interfaith Alliance Tel: 650-872-2578 http://www.http:/umaia.net
Moderator: Iftekhar, absolutely... The simple rule is if it benefits me exclusively and not others... then there is an imbalance. Islam is about Justice, striving for that balance. When there is Justice, peace is the natural outcome.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David HoffmanDate: Fri Jun 1, 2007 2:45 pm Subject: Re: Muslim Peace Bulider: Let'sMake Islam Synonumous with Interfaith Good W...
AA, David Hoffman is in California doing the interfaith work, thanks to him for sharing the goodwill messages with other religious groups. I would urge all our religious teachers to teach along these lines...Let people who come to your place of worship be filled with love, kindness and goodwill, and walk out without bias, ill-will and hate. David thanks for the circulation. When all of us get along, it is good for us, every one of us. Mike In a message dated 6/1/2007 2:16:52 P.M. Central Standard Time, humanitycheck@earthlink.net writes: Muslim interfaith peace pioneer Mike Ghouse, of Texas, offers some advice I would like to see believers in every Faith hear and embrace: "Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) ... gave us a step by step plan. The first lesson for us is to be Al Amin; the trustworthy, the truthful and the peace makers, ever ready to help others. Let̢۪s request our Imams to focus their sermons on getting us to be the Amins of the society, please remember clearly the Prophet was called Al Amin by non-Muslims, it is a model of co-existence and living together, if we do this right, providence will move in and help us become the best citizens we can be, to be good to others and good to ourselves. Insha Allah all sorts of good things will happen to us."
Imagine the World we might enjoy if religious leaders of every Faith urged their believers to become active agents of compassionate good will toward all people, and committed peace builders. Mike Ghouse reminds us that the founders of our Faiths DID give us that instruction . What can we do to bring that instruction back to the center of our spiritual life?
Assalaamu alaikum. Shalom. Namaste. Peace. -- David L. HoffmanJune 1, 2007 Humanity Check
Interfaith Peace and Reconciliation Project
The Humanity Check mailing list is a private, unaffiliated volunteer project. Mailings are selected which (God willing) address the need for Unity on the Planet, religious tolerance, justice and peace. People from every faith tradition (or none) are welcome. Written contributions from every tradition (or none) are invited. In particular, in view of the present historical situation, Humanity Check seeks (God willing) to reach across obsolete cultural barriers, to honor the spiritual and moral contributions of Islam to Humanity, and the deep desire of Muslims for a just and peaceful World. If you receive Humanity Check mailings unsolicited, someone has identified you as likely to be interested in these materials.
Assalaamu alaikum. Shalom. Namaste. Peace. David L. Hoffman, CoordinatorHumanity Check
Interfaith peace and reconciliation project
No. 560, 122 Calistoga Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95409
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Alan Border Date: Fri Jun 1, 2007 9:35 am Subject: Ties with Non-Muslims
Ties with Non-MuslimsWith a war on terror raging worldwide, an invisible divide has occurred between the Islamic world and others. Unresolved long-standing issues, unjust political patronage and media hype, fan irrelevant hatred adding to everybody’s confusion. Peace is every human being’s right and must be the order of the day. But we see otherwise around us today. In this challenging and dangerous situation, it is difficult to understand our own, as well as other’s rights. However, we can learn the code of conduct drawn out in light of Quran and Sunnah for every Muslim for optimum benefit of the society: Tool of ‘Dawah’(invitation to Islam)There is an old folk saying, ‘You can draw more flies with honey, than with vinegar.’ Prophet Muhammad (saws) with a pleasant and just demeanor was able to reach out and touch people’s hearts. Thus, countless people entered into the fold of Islam. Even those who did not convert to Islam always attested to his truth and magnanimity. When Allah’s Messenger (saws) sent Muath Ibn Jabal and Abu Musa al-Asharee to Yemen, he advised them, “Be lenient and not strict and bring glad tidings and do not repel people.” (Bukhari and Muslim). This is precisely because our actions speak louder than our words. At times we are negligent of the fact that we as Muslims are ambassadors of Islam. One questionable act or word from us brings the credibility of Islam in the line of fire. Tolerance, an integral part of IslamIslam urges Muslims to exercise benevolence with non-Muslims. Believers are encouraged to give gifts, money and visit non-Muslims. This will educate the non-Muslims of social relations in Islam. Quran states, tolerant people will be rewarded with “...a garden whose width is like the width of the heavens and earth...” (Surah Al-Hadid 57:21). Similarly, it is not considered in good taste to ridicule other beliefs. Prophet Muhammad (saws) always gave a fair chance to all his opponents to explain their case explicitly. He never interrupted their speech nor did he abuse them verbally or physically. There was never a shade of personal ego attached to any of his actions or words. Today there is a place in Kuala Lumpur that is a symbol of religious tolerance. Here, a mosque, a temple and a church share common boundaries and their respective worshippers freely practice their beliefs with no fear. Charity and aidIt is certainly permissible to help poor non-Muslims, unless one knows that they are actively hostile to Islam. It is reported that Umar Ibnul Khattab (rali) saw an elderly Christian man begging. He inquired about his circumstances and when he was told that the man was a Christian, he ordered that he should be given help from the treasury of the Muslim state. His reasons were that the man paid taxes imposed on non-Muslims when he was able to earn. Therefore, he was entitled to help when he lost that source of his income. Besides that, voluntary alms in the form of Sadqa can be given to destitute non-Muslims to uplift their conditions. Relations with Neighbours
A neighbour’s rights are of prime importance in Islam regardless of which belief he belongs to. Muslims are encouraged to abide by decent and courteous civic laws and actively participate in community service. For starters, they can begin with their own neighbourhood and ensure their neighbour’s are never placed in a hurtful or awkward position. Abdullah ibn Amr t slaughtered a sheep and he said, “Have you presented a gift from it to my neighbour, the Jew, for I heard the Messenger of Allah e say, ‘(the angel) Gabriel kept on commending the neighbour to me until I thought he would make him an heir’.” (Abu Dawud). Familial RelationsAsma Bint Abi Bakr (rali) once asked Allah’s Apostle e, if it was permissible for her polytheist mother to visit her and enter her house. He said to her, “Yes, be in touch with your mother.” (Agreed upon). It is also narrated that Umar Ibnul Khattab presented his polytheist brother with a silk dress as a gift, which the Prophet Muhammad (saws), had given to Umar. (Bukhari). Safiyya, one of the wives of Prophet Muhammad (saws), endowed her Jewish brother with part of her fortune to show him how much she cared and kept good relations with him. (Baihaqi). Conversely Allah also states, “O you who believe, do not take your fathers and your brothers as friends if they prefer unbelief over faith…” (Surah At-Tauba 9:23). Any relative who deliberately attempts to jeopardize a believer’s faith, is not considered to be a friend. A Muslims’ foremost sincerity belongs to Allah and His Apostle. SOURCE: http://www.hibamagazine.com/
Moderator - Thanks Alan
See what's free at AOL.com.
Dear David,
When relationships are good and not a mystery, people do accommodate. I believe, each pathway works for the earnest follower. Many a times it is the attitude that determines the relationship.
Your example of Hindu approving cow slaughter can find some answers in this short essay. http://mikeghouse.sulekha.com/blog/post/2006/06/religion-and-office.htm
Thanks for the relentless pursuit of pluralism.
Mike Ghouse
In a message dated 6/1/2007 11:55:56 P.M. Central Daylight Time, humanitycheck@earthlink.net writes:
Dear Mike, Iftekar and all:
Thanks to both of you, and to everyone else Mike quoted, for your insights on this compelling matter.
I would urge interfaith groups to support the accomodation of Muslim and other faith practices and worship needs, as fully as reasonably possible, in both public agencies and work places. The standard of "reasonable accomodation" should be applied: A faith-based request should be accomodated, if it is within the employer's or public agency's capacity to satisfy without undue hardship.
Also, faith-based requests should be presumed to be "valid" and sincere, unless there is some VERY compelling and convincing reason to conclude otherwise.
With that in mind, rather than pressing Muslims to refrain from asserting faith based accomodation requests, I recommend that Muslims unite with other religious groups in supporting reasonable accomodation for every faith community. I believe there are usually ways to make those accomodations.
For this alliance to come together, participants would need to find ways to support accomodation for other faiths that they don't necessarily consider valid. Are Muslims able to support accomodation and worship rights for Hindus, Baha'is, Native American traditionalists, "New Agers", etc.?
There might be particular instances where the conflicts are too pronounced for one faith to support accomodation for another. For example, I think it would be unreasonable to expect a Hindu to sign a petition supporting a Muslim group's right to sacrifice a cow for Ramadan.
How should respond, when intolerant people in our various faith communities argue that we should spurn other faiths and their rights?
We all know we have intolerant voices within each of our faiths, who publicly repudiate "rival" faiths. We can't stop people from thinking, speaking or acting in that way. In fact if we actually support freedom of religious belief, then it follows that they have a right to think and say intolerant things, if that's what they believe. However I know people in every faith community who rise above that intolerant perspective. That is the group we could pull into an interfaith alliance to support the reasonable accomodation of all faiths.
Any interfaith alliance would need to reserve an opt-out option from any act or statement which a member perceives as violating her/his faith, or as constituting sacrilege or repudiation of her/his own faith.
People and groups would need to clarify this in advance, and not treat each others' sincere "opt-outs" as betrayal.
These are my thoughts.
David Hoffman
humanitycheck@earthlink.net
Mike:
What the Pastor J. Chris Killough has said I have also heard from numerous others - American Muslims some how want to enforce their religious practices in secular offices where they are hired for their talents. Pastor J. Chris lives in the SF Bay Area - I know him well. What he says is not unreasonable - if American Muslims hear with compassion.
There are cases where once when an American Muslim (not all - but a few of them) gets a job and is confirmed. He may start growing a beard or a women may start wearing the head covering. Second thing that they demand is a place to say prayers. Then comes Ramadan when they want to shorten their working hours and take frequent breaks for prayers.
All this isolates Muslims against all the 14 or 15 prominent religious groups - who never make such demands on their employers.
This is called religionizing - the secular atmosphere of corporate America where everyone goes to earn their livelihood. American Muslims are foremost in exhibiting their religiousity that creates animosity. And we all do this under the banner of Freedom of Religion. This is why today employers are reluctant to hire American Muslims. And the situation is getting worst everyday when you hear about the taxi-drivers in Minnesota and Muslim workers of Target who refuse to handle pork, ham or alcohol.
Iftekhar Hai UMA Interfaith Alliance Tel: 650-872-2578 http://www.http:/umaia.net
Moderator: Iftekhar, absolutely... The simple rule is if it benefits me exclusively and not others... then there is an imbalance. Islam is about Justice, striving for that balance. When there is Justice, peace is the natural outcome.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David HoffmanDate: Fri Jun 1, 2007 2:45 pm Subject: Re: Muslim Peace Bulider: Let'sMake Islam Synonumous with Interfaith Good W...
AA, David Hoffman is in California doing the interfaith work, thanks to him for sharing the goodwill messages with other religious groups. I would urge all our religious teachers to teach along these lines...Let people who come to your place of worship be filled with love, kindness and goodwill, and walk out without bias, ill-will and hate. David thanks for the circulation. When all of us get along, it is good for us, every one of us. Mike In a message dated 6/1/2007 2:16:52 P.M. Central Standard Time, humanitycheck@earthlink.net writes: Muslim interfaith peace pioneer Mike Ghouse, of Texas, offers some advice I would like to see believers in every Faith hear and embrace: "Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) ... gave us a step by step plan. The first lesson for us is to be Al Amin; the trustworthy, the truthful and the peace makers, ever ready to help others. Let̢۪s request our Imams to focus their sermons on getting us to be the Amins of the society, please remember clearly the Prophet was called Al Amin by non-Muslims, it is a model of co-existence and living together, if we do this right, providence will move in and help us become the best citizens we can be, to be good to others and good to ourselves. Insha Allah all sorts of good things will happen to us."
Imagine the World we might enjoy if religious leaders of every Faith urged their believers to become active agents of compassionate good will toward all people, and committed peace builders. Mike Ghouse reminds us that the founders of our Faiths DID give us that instruction . What can we do to bring that instruction back to the center of our spiritual life?
Assalaamu alaikum. Shalom. Namaste. Peace. -- David L. HoffmanJune 1, 2007 Humanity Check
Interfaith Peace and Reconciliation Project
The Humanity Check mailing list is a private, unaffiliated volunteer project. Mailings are selected which (God willing) address the need for Unity on the Planet, religious tolerance, justice and peace. People from every faith tradition (or none) are welcome. Written contributions from every tradition (or none) are invited. In particular, in view of the present historical situation, Humanity Check seeks (God willing) to reach across obsolete cultural barriers, to honor the spiritual and moral contributions of Islam to Humanity, and the deep desire of Muslims for a just and peaceful World. If you receive Humanity Check mailings unsolicited, someone has identified you as likely to be interested in these materials.
Assalaamu alaikum. Shalom. Namaste. Peace. David L. Hoffman, CoordinatorHumanity Check
Interfaith peace and reconciliation project
No. 560, 122 Calistoga Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95409
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From: Alan Border Date: Fri Jun 1, 2007 9:35 am Subject: Ties with Non-Muslims
Ties with Non-MuslimsWith a war on terror raging worldwide, an invisible divide has occurred between the Islamic world and others. Unresolved long-standing issues, unjust political patronage and media hype, fan irrelevant hatred adding to everybody’s confusion. Peace is every human being’s right and must be the order of the day. But we see otherwise around us today. In this challenging and dangerous situation, it is difficult to understand our own, as well as other’s rights. However, we can learn the code of conduct drawn out in light of Quran and Sunnah for every Muslim for optimum benefit of the society: Tool of ‘Dawah’(invitation to Islam)There is an old folk saying, ‘You can draw more flies with honey, than with vinegar.’ Prophet Muhammad (saws) with a pleasant and just demeanor was able to reach out and touch people’s hearts. Thus, countless people entered into the fold of Islam. Even those who did not convert to Islam always attested to his truth and magnanimity. When Allah’s Messenger (saws) sent Muath Ibn Jabal and Abu Musa al-Asharee to Yemen, he advised them, “Be lenient and not strict and bring glad tidings and do not repel people.” (Bukhari and Muslim). This is precisely because our actions speak louder than our words. At times we are negligent of the fact that we as Muslims are ambassadors of Islam. One questionable act or word from us brings the credibility of Islam in the line of fire. Tolerance, an integral part of IslamIslam urges Muslims to exercise benevolence with non-Muslims. Believers are encouraged to give gifts, money and visit non-Muslims. This will educate the non-Muslims of social relations in Islam. Quran states, tolerant people will be rewarded with “...a garden whose width is like the width of the heavens and earth...” (Surah Al-Hadid 57:21). Similarly, it is not considered in good taste to ridicule other beliefs. Prophet Muhammad (saws) always gave a fair chance to all his opponents to explain their case explicitly. He never interrupted their speech nor did he abuse them verbally or physically. There was never a shade of personal ego attached to any of his actions or words. Today there is a place in Kuala Lumpur that is a symbol of religious tolerance. Here, a mosque, a temple and a church share common boundaries and their respective worshippers freely practice their beliefs with no fear. Charity and aidIt is certainly permissible to help poor non-Muslims, unless one knows that they are actively hostile to Islam. It is reported that Umar Ibnul Khattab (rali) saw an elderly Christian man begging. He inquired about his circumstances and when he was told that the man was a Christian, he ordered that he should be given help from the treasury of the Muslim state. His reasons were that the man paid taxes imposed on non-Muslims when he was able to earn. Therefore, he was entitled to help when he lost that source of his income. Besides that, voluntary alms in the form of Sadqa can be given to destitute non-Muslims to uplift their conditions. Relations with Neighbours
A neighbour’s rights are of prime importance in Islam regardless of which belief he belongs to. Muslims are encouraged to abide by decent and courteous civic laws and actively participate in community service. For starters, they can begin with their own neighbourhood and ensure their neighbour’s are never placed in a hurtful or awkward position. Abdullah ibn Amr t slaughtered a sheep and he said, “Have you presented a gift from it to my neighbour, the Jew, for I heard the Messenger of Allah e say, ‘(the angel) Gabriel kept on commending the neighbour to me until I thought he would make him an heir’.” (Abu Dawud). Familial RelationsAsma Bint Abi Bakr (rali) once asked Allah’s Apostle e, if it was permissible for her polytheist mother to visit her and enter her house. He said to her, “Yes, be in touch with your mother.” (Agreed upon). It is also narrated that Umar Ibnul Khattab presented his polytheist brother with a silk dress as a gift, which the Prophet Muhammad (saws), had given to Umar. (Bukhari). Safiyya, one of the wives of Prophet Muhammad (saws), endowed her Jewish brother with part of her fortune to show him how much she cared and kept good relations with him. (Baihaqi). Conversely Allah also states, “O you who believe, do not take your fathers and your brothers as friends if they prefer unbelief over faith…” (Surah At-Tauba 9:23). Any relative who deliberately attempts to jeopardize a believer’s faith, is not considered to be a friend. A Muslims’ foremost sincerity belongs to Allah and His Apostle. SOURCE: http://www.hibamagazine.com/
Moderator - Thanks Alan
See what's free at AOL.com.
Dear David,
When relationships are good and not a mystery, people do accommodate. I believe, each pathway works for the earnest follower. Many a times it is the attitude that determines the relationship.
Your example of Hindu approving cow slaughter can find some answers in this short essay. http://mikeghouse.sulekha.com/blog/post/2006/06/religion-and-office.htm
Thanks for the relentless pursuit of pluralism.
Mike Ghouse
In a message dated 6/1/2007 11:55:56 P.M. Central Daylight Time, humanitycheck@earthlink.net writes:
Dear Mike, Iftekar and all:
Thanks to both of you, and to everyone else Mike quoted, for your insights on this compelling matter.
I would urge interfaith groups to support the accomodation of Muslim and other faith practices and worship needs, as fully as reasonably possible, in both public agencies and work places. The standard of "reasonable accomodation" should be applied: A faith-based request should be accomodated, if it is within the employer's or public agency's capacity to satisfy without undue hardship.
Also, faith-based requests should be presumed to be "valid" and sincere, unless there is some VERY compelling and convincing reason to conclude otherwise.
With that in mind, rather than pressing Muslims to refrain from asserting faith based accomodation requests, I recommend that Muslims unite with other religious groups in supporting reasonable accomodation for every faith community. I believe there are usually ways to make those accomodations.
For this alliance to come together, participants would need to find ways to support accomodation for other faiths that they don't necessarily consider valid. Are Muslims able to support accomodation and worship rights for Hindus, Baha'is, Native American traditionalists, "New Agers", etc.?
There might be particular instances where the conflicts are too pronounced for one faith to support accomodation for another. For example, I think it would be unreasonable to expect a Hindu to sign a petition supporting a Muslim group's right to sacrifice a cow for Ramadan.
How should respond, when intolerant people in our various faith communities argue that we should spurn other faiths and their rights?
We all know we have intolerant voices within each of our faiths, who publicly repudiate "rival" faiths. We can't stop people from thinking, speaking or acting in that way. In fact if we actually support freedom of religious belief, then it follows that they have a right to think and say intolerant things, if that's what they believe. However I know people in every faith community who rise above that intolerant perspective. That is the group we could pull into an interfaith alliance to support the reasonable accomodation of all faiths.
Any interfaith alliance would need to reserve an opt-out option from any act or statement which a member perceives as violating her/his faith, or as constituting sacrilege or repudiation of her/his own faith.
People and groups would need to clarify this in advance, and not treat each others' sincere "opt-outs" as betrayal.
These are my thoughts.
David Hoffman
humanitycheck@earthlink.net
Swiss move to ban minarets
By Imogen Foulkes
BBC News, Berne
Swiss Muslims pray in disused factories and warehouses
Minaret ban proposal
A row is brewing over religious symbolism in Switzerland.
Members of the right-wing Swiss People's Party, currently the largest party in the Swiss parliament, have launched a campaign to have the building of minarets banned.
They claim the minaret is not necessary for worship, but is rather a symbol of Islamic law, and as such incompatible with Switzerland's legal system.
Signatures are now being collected to force a nationwide referendum on the issue which, under Switzerland's system of direct democracy, would be binding.
The move has shocked Switzerland's 350,000 Muslims, many of whom have been campaigning for decades for more recognition for their faith.
In theory Switzerland is a secular state, whose constitution guarantees freedom of religious expression to all. In practice however mosques in Switzerland tend to be confined to disused warehouses and factories.
Across the country, there are only two small minarets, one in Zurich and one in Geneva, neither of which are permitted to make the call to prayer. In Switzerland's capital Berne, the largest mosque is in a former underground car park.
Plans rejected
In the small town of Langenthal, just outside Berne, plans to build a very modest minaret have been put on ice following thousands of objections.
Many Swiss think minarets have no place on their urban skylines
Langenthal's mosque is housed in a former paint factory on the outskirts of town.
Mutalip Karaademi, an ethnic Albanian who has lived in Switzerland for 26 years, was at first pleased when his proposal for a 5m-high (16.5ft) minaret was approved by the local authority.
But following a vociferous campaign against the plans, including a petition with thousands of signatures, the cantonal government in Berne delayed the project indefinitely.
"We are very disappointed," said Mr Karaademi. "We just wanted to do our mosque up a bit, with this small minaret and a tea room. We actually thought it might promote dialogue."
Mr Karaademi is also bitter at what he sees as unfair discrimination against his faith. "I even gave them a written undertaking that we would never make the call to prayer," he said. "They seem to think we are all criminals or terrorists - that's like saying all Italians are in the mafia."
Islamic law
But supporters of a ban on minarets say they have no intention of preventing anyone from practising their faith.
"We don't have anything against Muslims," said Oskar Freysinger, member of parliament for the Swiss People's Party.
"But we don't want minarets. The minaret is a symbol of a political and aggressive Islam, it's a symbol of Islamic law. The minute you have minarets in Europe it means Islam will have taken over."
Mr Freysinger's words may sound extreme, even paranoid, but this is a general election year in Switzerland, and the campaign against minarets is playing well with voters.
A recent opinion poll for one Swiss newspaper found that 43% of those surveyed were in favour of a ban on minarets.
"We have our civil laws here," insisted Mr Freysinger. "Banning minarets would send a clear signal that our European laws, our Swiss laws, have to be accepted. And if you want to live here, you must accept them. If you don't, then go back."
Growing resentment
It's a harsh message for Swiss Muslims, many of whom were born in Switzerland. There are fears that the campaign against minarets will provoke growing resentment against Swiss society.
"I think Swiss Muslims will be angry and bitter over this," said Reinhard Schulze, professor of Islamic Studies at Berne University. "And we know that anger and bitterness among a community can lead to radicalisation, even to militancy."
The Swiss government is extremely nervous about the prospect of militancy among Swiss Muslims; three cabinet ministers have already spoken out against the campaign to ban minarets.
There is also a growing fear that the debate will damage Switzerland's traditionally good relations with the Arab world.
But the Swiss People's Party is powerful. If the minaret campaign is, as some suspect, a vote-grabbing ploy ahead of October's general election, then it is a successful one; the party is riding high in the opinion polls.
A constitutional amendment forbidding minarets will have to be approved in a nationwide referendum. In the meantime, no minarets are being built anywhere in Switzerland; the controversy has created a situation in which no local planning officer wants to be the first to approve one.
In that respect, the People's Party may have got what it secretly wanted all along, an unofficial ban on minarets.
So for now, Switzerland's Muslims will continue to pray in abandoned buildings, many with the growing feeling that they are tolerated only as long as they remain invisible.
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