Muslims Together : May 2008

quraan burning

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

PRESS RELEASE
August 19, 2013| Dallas, Texas

Mike Ghouse
Text/Talk: (214) 325-1916
MikeGhouse@aol.com

Mirza A Beg
(205) 454-8797
mirza.a.beg@gmail.com

www.WorldMuslimCongress.com

PLANNED MUSLIMS RESPONSE TO QUR'AN BURNING BY PASTOR JONES ON 9/11/13 IN MULBERRY, FLORIDA

We as Muslims plan to respond to pastor Terry Jones' planned burning of 3000 copies of Quran on September 11, 2013 in positive terms.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you.

WHAT WILL MUSLIMS DO WHILE QURAN IS BURNT

A PURPOSEFUL EVENT

WEBSITE : www.UnityDayUSA.com

It is a purposeful positive event for Americans of different faiths, races, ethnicities and other uniqueness to come together to rededicate ourselves to our pledge; One nation under God with liberty and Justice for all. We will pray for peace, prosperity and security of our nation.

Last year the event focused on the positive response of Sikh community to the Wisconsin Shooting and this year, we will focus on the positive prayerful response of Muslim community to the planned Qur'an Burning by Pastor Terry Jones in Mulberry, Florida.

Click on pictures to see larger version of the photo

RSVP- ConfirmAttendance@gmail.com
Contact information - at the bottom
PROGRAM DETAILS Pictures indicate for visualization of the program as was done in Dallas, Texas
We honor the free speech guaranteed in our constitution, and have no intentions to criticize, condemn or oppose Pastor Terry Jones freedom of expression. Instead, we will be donating blood and praying for goodness to prevail for the common good of the world.
We hope, our mercy based message will remind those few Muslims elsewhere in the world that violence is not the way. We believe it may bring a change in the attitudes of followers of Pastor Jones, and in the behavior of those Muslims who reacted violently the last time Pastor sought notoriety.

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

You will be a part of history in creating a model behavior in dealing with conflicts and building a cohesive America, where no American has to live in apprehension or fear of the other. The 10th Annual event is moved to Mulberry, Florida - for a singular purpose - to mitigate possible apprehensions generated by the planned burning of 2998 copies of Quran on September 11, 2013. We hope the event restores our faith in the cohesiveness of America, and we the people will go on about our business of living our daily lives.The full press release: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/08/planned-muslim-response-to-quran_18.html

WE WILL GATHER;

to be together as Americans
to express our gratitude to our men and women in uniform
to honor individuals who have contributed to the well being of Mulberry, Florida
to emphasize and appreciate diversity represented by America.
to cherish the otherness of others.
to commit to be good neighbors
to rededicate our pledge to the peace, prosperity and security of America

Please join us with your family and friends to be together as Americans. Your presence is a valuable expression of unity. Along with our elected officials, civic, religious and business leaders, you help fulfill our common values and aspirations. Your presence fortifies our commitment to a pluralistic America.

As Americans, and as American of all hues, we uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our constitution. All our faiths reinforce the creed of "One Nation under God, with liberty and justice for all”.

On this Unity Day USA, we, the people of the United States of America of every faith, race and ethnicity, will gather to express our commitment to co-existence, safety, prosperity and the well being of our nation.

PROGRAM: FLAG CEREMONY

NATIONAL ANTHEM

(Preferably joined in by members of at least 7 faith traditions, if not all)

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

To be led by the Hon. Mayor George Hatch of Mulberry

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Acknowledgement of dignitaries- Suzanne
Thanking key volunteers - Curtis
Thanking the Media- Butch
Appreciating the sponsors - Lynn

PURPOSE

Purpose - a new positive approach to conflict mitigation and rededicating to our pledge – one nation under God with Liberty and Justice for all- Mike
Blood donation – Dr. Bajwa (3 Minutes) about the nationwide blood drive
One Blood Organization - Pat Michaels will share about the importance of blood donation

GREETINGS

Greetings from several religious traditions a few Video Samples; City of Carrollton-II - City of Carrollton – Chicago Bible College

CIVIC LEADERSHIP

Mayors, Police and Fire chiefs, and Civic Leaders to share 3 minutes each – about their responsibility in treating each citizen with respect and dignity

HONORING THE ACTIVISTS

Those who have stood up for others

SPIRITUAL LEADERS

All-inclusive spiritual leaders will be on stage representing each tradition, and lighting a candle of the next, a symbolic gesture to be the light to others. Every available religious American representation in Polk County will be accommodated. This is not about sermons but about being together as Americans. Please beware, it is about Americans and included in the group will be Atheists, Pagans and other non-religious traditions.

PEACE PLEDGE

I will I will speak up when there is injustice.
I will speak up when truth is not spoken.
I will make my words and my actions mitigate conflicts.
I will do my share in nurturing goodwill for the benefit of all.
I will do my share of peace work, without looking for others
I will do respect the God given uniqueness of each individual.
I will do my best to live and let others live their way.
I will do my best to nurture goodwill in everything I do.

SPECIAL MUSLIM PRAYER

( 3-4 Minutes)Muslim prayers and supplication for the safety and security and unity of our nation. Pray for the well being of all Americans, and seek forgiveness for all of us, and may God guide Reverend Terry Jones to become a be blessed peace maker. Pray for the goodwill of the people of Polk county and Mulberry City, and pray for a cohesive America, where no American needs to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear or fellow Americans.

CONCLUSION

Mayor Hatch and one of the top officials will make the remarks.

BLOOD DONATION

This is exactly what we did on 9.11.2001 in Dallas - Link
Press release about Big Red Bus - Link

FUNDING OF THE PROGRAM

Please donate to defray the costs. All donors over $100 will be listed on this site. If one or two individuals want to sponsor, we would really welcome it. It will save us time. Donate at http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/
MESSAGES - PRESS RELEASES

PRESS RELEASE - MUSLIM RESPONSE TO PASTOR JONES QUR'AN BURNING URL- http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/08/planned-muslim-response-to-quran_18.html
VIDEO MESSAGE TO MUSLIMS AND PASTOR JONES http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsQq-tbJ89k&feature=youtu.be
PRESS RELEASE ABOUT BLOOD DONATION
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/09/muslim-americans-are-determined-to-turn.html
MUSLIMS PROTESTS - MULBERRY LEDGER http://www.theledger.com/article/20130820/news/130829938
FOR MUSLIMS IN AMERICA, A NOVEL PROTEST - TIMES OF INDIA http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/From-Muslims-in-America-a-novel-protest-against-quran-burning/articleshow/21982162.cms
A PROPER RESPONSE TO INFLAMMATORY ACT - SAUDI GAZETTE http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20130821177617
TAMPA BAY FOX NEWS http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/23233567/2013/08/22/pastor-wants-to-burn-3000-korans-in-mulberry
OVER 50 PIECES AT: www.WorldMuslimCongress.com

A FEW CURRENT PICTURES:

MULBERRY MAYOR HON. GEORGE HATCH

LAKELAND MAYOR HON. GOW B. FIELDS

THE MULBERRY UNITY DAY TEAM - MIKE, CURTIS, SUZANNE, LYNN
AND FRIEND SUSIE (NOT ON THE TEAM)

All the original pieces related to the Quran burning even are at www.WorldMuslimCongress.com

HOW UNITY DAY WAS BORN
http://911unitydayusa.blogspot.com/2011_12_01_archive.html

Unity day 2009

Unityday 2006

VOLUNTEERS:

The Mulberry Unity Day USA Team
Suzanne Carter (727) 479-5041- Not in Mulberry Lynn Broom (863) 662-8511- Linda Jezard
Juan Galeano Curtis Rahman Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916 - MikeGhouse@aol.com
World Muslim Congress/ America Together Foundation

Thank you.
Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
SpeakerMikeGhouse@Gmail.com

http://quranburningpastorterryjones.blogspot.com/
www.AmericaTogetherFoundation.com

www.FoundationforPluralism.com
www.WorldMuslimCongress.com
www.UnitydayUSA.com

QURAN BURNING | 911 | ALL BELOW

Please scroll down - everything about Quran burning Pastor Terry Jones and Muslim response and commemoration of 911 as Unity Day USA.

A VIDEO MESSAGE TO PASTOR JONES AND MUSLIMS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsQq-tbJ89k&feature=youtu.be

MUSLIM RESPONSE TO QUR'AN BURNING http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/08/planned-muslim-response-to-quran_18.html

MESSAGE TO URDU SPEAKING MUSLIMS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxa69A5Xn3o

WHAT EXACTLY WILL MUSLIM DO ON THAT DAY?
www.UnityDayUSA.com

DONATE 12000 PINTS OF BLOOD ON 9/11
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/while-pastor-terry-jones-_b_3874056.html#es_share_ended

MUSLIMS PROTESTS - MULBERRY LEDGER http://www.theledger.com/article/20130820/news/130829938

PAY NO ATTENTION TO MAN BEHIND QURAN BURNING - Jeff Weiss at Washington Post and Religion News Service
http://www.religionnews.com/2013/09/09/commentary-pay-no-attention-to-the-man-behind-the-burning-qurans/#comment-353607

FOR MUSLIMS IN AMERICA, A NOVEL PROTEST - TIMES OF INDIA http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/From-Muslims-in-America-a-novel-protest-against-quran-burning/articleshow/21982162.cms

A PROPER RESPONSE TO INFLAMMATORY ACT - SAUDI GAZETTE http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20130821177617

TAMPA BAY FOX NEWS http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/23233567/2013/08/22/pastor-wants-to-burn-3000-korans-in-mulberry

OVER 50 PIECES AT: www.WorldMuslimCongress.com

Contact: Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916/ text/talk
email: SpeakerMikeGhouse@gmail.com

QURAN BURNING PRESS RELEASE

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

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

PRESS RELEASE
August 19, 2013| Dallas, Texas

Mike Ghouse
Text/Talk: (214) 325-1916
MikeGhouse@aol.com

Mirza A Beg
(205) 454-8797
mirza.a.beg@gmail.com

www.WorldMuslimCongress.com

PLANNED MUSLIMS RESPONSE TO QUR'AN BURNING BY PASTOR JONES ON 9/11/13 IN MULBERRY, FLORIDA

We as Muslims plan to respond to pastor Terry Jones' planned burning of 3000 copies of Quran on September 11, 2013 in positive terms.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

All Articles

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Dialogue: Jews, Christians & Muslims

MUSLIM SPEAKER

Voice of Moderate Muslims

SUCCESSFUL NAATIA MUSHAERA ON 2.21.14

Moderate Islam Speaker

quraan burning

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

CIVIL DIALOGUE

A FEW CURRENT PICTURES:

THE MULBERRY UNITY DAY TEAM - MIKE, CURTIS, SUZANNE, LYNN
AND FRIEND SUSIE (NOT ON THE TEAM)

All the original pieces related to the Quran burning even are at www.WorldMuslimCongress.com