tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462242975774901312.post5287424447166037401..comments2024-02-29T02:52:55.821-06:00Comments on Muslims Together : Self-Censoring MuslimsMike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462242975774901312.post-54156561066850898192008-08-15T09:46:00.000-06:002008-08-15T09:46:00.000-06:00Islam or any religion does not teach one to hate, ...Islam or any religion does not teach one to hate, to dominate or to subjugate, individuals do. They do because they did get their own religion into their blood stream.<BR/><BR/>Hate towards others is not about religion, I have read quite a lot of hate on this thread, when you are loaded with it, that is all you can think of about others. Those who have claimed to be Christians on this thread, have not been a Christian in their disposition, same goes with others whether they are Muslims, Jews, Hindus or others. <BR/><BR/>Good Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and others will talk about love, about getting along, about forgivenes and about Co-existence. Those who are, need to come out and speak up. If not you are letting the other ones lead the discussion.<BR/><BR/><BR/>To be a Muslim (or religious of any kind) is to be a peace maker, one who constantly seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for peaceful co-existence of humanity. God wants us to live in peace and harmony with his creation; Life and Matter.<BR/><BR/>As Muslims, we are 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." <BR/><BR/>Our Mission<BR/><BR/>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. <BR/><BR/>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.<BR/><BR/>Goals<BR/><BR/>Our short term goal is to understand different faiths and let the values of Islam be understood as well. So we may know one another.<BR/><BR/>Our Long term goal is simply to bring the realization that the purpose of all religions is to bring peace and tranquility to an individual and further create a balanced relationships between the individual, society and the environment. Learning about other faiths need not imply infidelity, but rather the search will enrich one's own faith, it reaffirms the idea that the intent of every faith is to "fix" the individual as an active working and participating spoke in the wheel of life. Some get it and some don't. <BR/><BR/>Islam defined<BR/><BR/>The most precise definition of Islam: Justice for every human being. <BR/><BR/>The Qur'aan starts with the word God of Universe (not necessarily Muslims) and ends with Humankind (and again not Muslims).<BR/><BR/>We have a monumental task to repair the World, and we will do our part in working towards a World of co-existence, one person at a time. We are committed, and now help us God. Amen.<BR/><BR/>Good Deeds<BR/><BR/>Islam is a deed based non-judgmental religion, and consistently encourages individuals to do good. It emphasizes about individual responsibility towards the peace and security of society at large.<BR/><BR/>Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) described a good deed as an act which benefits others, such as planting a tree that serves generations of wayfarers with fruit and the shade. The world is a better place today because of a good legacy bequeathed to humanity by people of all faiths that came before us. We owe it to coming generations to leave the world a little better than we found it, to usher an era of justice and peace. <BR/><BR/>With Prejudice towards none<BR/><BR/>Almost all Muslims are cognizant and repeat the verse “God is the master of the Day of Judgment, and he alone we worship”. A fully observant Muslim recites this verse at least 50 times a day and refrains from judging others, as he or she believes God only can make that call.<BR/><BR/>Individual responsibility <BR/><BR/>Qur'an, Al-An'am, Surah 6:163-164: I ask whether I should seek any god besides God--when he is the Lord of all things. All people will reap the harvest of their own deeds; no one will bear another’s burden. Ultimately, all of you will return to your Lord, and he will resolve your disputes. <BR/><BR/>Citizenship<BR/><BR/>Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) set an example of good citizenship early on in his life. The people of Makkah, non-Muslims at that time, called him Al-Amin; the truthful, the trustworthy and the peace maker because of his unwavering commitment to honesty in word and deed. The goal of the World Muslim Congress is to instill the humane values of Islam and to aspire to be Al-Amin to all.<BR/><BR/>A Just society<BR/><BR/>Islam emerged to bring peace, tranquility and equilibrium to the multitudes of tribes at conflict with each other in the 6th century AD. In a period of 23 years, thru suffering, persecution and sacrifice a just society evolved. Diversity was it’s basis, respecting each tradition and bringing them together and appreciating the creator was the foundation stone of Islam. Justice, liberty and freedom are the core values enshrined in Islam. <BR/><BR/>Pluralism<BR/><BR/>Islam is indeed a pluralistic faith and imbues a sense of humility and ideals of equality of humankind. These values are embedded in its rituals practices. All people harvest their own deeds.<BR/><BR/>Qur'an, At-Taghabun, Surah 64:2-4: It was God who created you; yet some of you refuse to believe, while others have faith. He is aware of all your actions. He created the heavens and the earth to manifest the truth. <BR/><BR/>He fashioned each one of you--and each one of you is beautiful. To God you will all return. He knows all that the heavens and the earth contain. He knows all that you hide and all that you reveal. He knows your deepest thoughts.<BR/><BR/>The Madinah pact, prescribes the rights of its Citizens and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the signatory to it as the head of the City State. It was an all inclusive agreement between the Jews, Christians, Sabeans, Quraish, Muslims and other tribes for a peaceful co-existence. An example was set for a pluralistic society in documenting the rights of individuals. Perhaps it was the first historical document that included diverse people. The Word Ummah was used in the document to mean all residents of the City. <BR/><BR/>Freedom<BR/><BR/>God could have made us all sinless angels; instead he chose to make us humans, giving guidance on one hand, temptations on the other – then giving room to make mistakes, and room for correction. Islam has not claimed monopoly to heaven; it is assured to those who do good deeds. Good deeds are defined by Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) as how your treat others. He told his daughter that it would be her deeds that would earn her a place in the Kingdom of God and not her relation with the Prophet. ''There is no free lunch.<BR/><BR/>Qur'an, Al-Inshiqaq, Surah 84:7-15: Each person will be given a book. Those who are given their books in their right hands (understanding the book correctly) will be judged leniently; and they will return to their people joyfully. But those who are given their books in their left hands (misunderstanding) will call their own destruction on themselves, and burn in the fire of hell. There are the people who have never cared for their neighbors; they thought they would never return to God. Their Lord watches all that people do. <BR/><BR/>For Millions of years, the physical dimension of the Universe has existed in a perfect balance as it did not have the ego to compete with each other nor had the freedom to mess with it. They do, what God intended them to do. It is the human dimension that needed religion, and every religion is meant to bring peace to individuals and balance to the world around them through free choice.<BR/><BR/>God willing, the Muslim community will be drawing the blue prints and developing a 14 year plan to find their space in the world of communities, as contributors and active participants in the peaceful co-existence for the people of the World. The Book “Muslim Vision 2020” is on the horizon.<BR/><BR/>The human desire to monopolize World resources is the root cause of all evil. The pockets of anarchy and problems of the world are born out of fear and insecurities of evil men. Religion is not the source of wars or conflict. In fact, Religion is the best Gift humans have received from God, without which the World would be chaotic.<BR/><BR/>Praise the Lord. We are pleased to announce the formation of The World Muslim Congress, A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting co-existence and contributing towards a just world. (Formed: 5/25/2006)<BR/><BR/>Our silence has done more damage to us, our faith and our World. Silent no more, God willing, we will resolutely take back our faith for our good and the good of mankind. <BR/><BR/>A Major Paradigm Shift <BR/><BR/>The world has indeed become a global community. Everyone is a neighbor to everyone else; we aspire to nurture the concept of good neighborliness in the world. Our advisory board will be represented by individuals from every faith. It is time for us to be equal citizens of one world, our home. This is a major paradigm shift in how the religious organizations would be conducting their business in the coming years.<BR/><BR/>Our upcoming website: www.WorldMuslimCongress.com will present a range of values in Islam. It is a shame that some of the translations of Qur’an contain phrases that are not in Qur’an. A dozen translations will be presented verse by verse, with the source. So you may know the truth! <BR/><BR/>Qur'an, As-Saff, Surah 61:2-3: Believers, why do you say what you do not execute? It is most offensive in the sight of Allah when you say what you do not practice! <BR/><BR/>Mike Ghouse<BR/>www.WorldMuslimcongress.comMike Ghousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462242975774901312.post-59590523431320232362008-08-13T20:35:00.000-06:002008-08-13T20:35:00.000-06:00Dear Idolator;I hope you have not bought the propa...Dear Idolator;<BR/><BR/>I hope you have not bought the propaganda of our Neocon gang "they hate the Westerners" and it was odd that you added their trade mark "scary". That is what they want to do, frighten us and cash in. It is profitable to them and we are suckers to fund them, instead of funding activities that will mitigate conflicts. <BR/><BR/>No, they do not hate us, some do. Once Bush is gone, we will regain what we have lost in the last six years “A nation of caring people, who honored and respected other's right to be who they are". Didn’t we hate the Russians, the Chinese, the Saddam and the Ayotallah, did we hate their people? No. Likewise they do not hate us, they hate our administrations aggressions, not us, the Americans.<BR/><BR/>Don't we have murders, rapes etc going on in our own nation. Check the stats. Do we want to label them with a religion? If not, then why label other criminals with a religion?<BR/><BR/>Mike GhouseMike Ghousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462242975774901312.post-24491081017507916152008-08-13T20:34:00.000-06:002008-08-13T20:34:00.000-06:00Terrorism, Oppression and killing of civilians mus...Terrorism, Oppression and killing of civilians must be condemned by one and all. Muslims condemn these dudes much more than any one else; as it violates the rights of others and also stains their faith unjustly. The biggest villlians of Muslims are the Bin Ladens.<BR/><BR/>As many Muslims want to dominate the world, as the number of necons in the world. They are all insane brothers in this game of frightening people. Get with the ordinary folks, they are all fine. The problem is not between Muslims and Christians or Hindus or Buddhists, it is between the few extremists and all of us together.<BR/><BR/>Mike GhouseMike Ghousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462242975774901312.post-63507537371676140582008-08-13T19:41:00.000-06:002008-08-13T19:41:00.000-06:00Dear halozcel: "*75% of Muslims in the world live ...Dear halozcel: <BR/><BR/>"*75% of Muslims in the world live in democracies*<BR/>Would you please to write those *Democratic Muslim Countries*"<BR/><BR/>Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, India, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Nigeria, Thailand....USA, UK, Australia, France, South Africa to name a few,( I’m not sure about Afghanistan and Iraq yet) that sums up close to 75%.<BR/><BR/>"To me, correct word should be *Does Muslim know what Democracy is*" <BR/><BR/>The answer is yes! You may want to take time to study on your own rather than believing what is dished out there.<BR/><BR/>"*Religiously all women have their rights*<BR/>Yes, correct. Woman in Islam has right to open her legs, nothing else."<BR/><BR/>The issue about women is not religion but men; it is about those ugly insecure men found from America to Zimbabwe, Atheist to Zoroastrians, Blacks to white and every one in between.<BR/><BR/>Women suffer the same in all groups, even in America there is pay differential, accepting women in leadership roles. Yes many guys beat up their women and kill about the same number of women as others. Look at the global stats on violence against women. Yes men in some of the Islamic societies find an excuse to push their ideas on women, it is bad, and so do the ugly men all over the world in one fashion or the other.<BR/><BR/>It is wrong to paint it as Muslim thing, it is THE MEN. Our media likes to label other killings with a religion, where as our killing as violent men. <BR/><BR/>History;<BR/><BR/>"-Bloody Mary/Mary Tudor was Queen of England in 1553 and Elizabeth I in 1558.<BR/>-Margot was the Queen of France in sixteen centuries (She is one who slept all men in the Palace)<BR/>-Catharine, Queen of Russia. German Girl who said *I begot three children and none of them from my husband*(oooovvvv).Pedro (King of Russia and her husband) you are the greatest."<BR/><BR/>I appreciate the above info. Razia Sultan also ruled India in the 11th century, and there were a few more in Egypt and elsewhere. <BR/><BR/>My friend, the problem is the individuals, not the religion. Get to the source to solve the problem, and you will. Aiming at religion is a useless activity; religion is not a tangible thing to knock down.<BR/><BR/>Mike Ghouse<BR/>www.WorldMuslimCongress.comMike Ghousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462242975774901312.post-44638755361291753422008-08-13T19:18:00.000-06:002008-08-13T19:18:00.000-06:00Dear Jon;I have taken a stand againt part of the p...Dear Jon;<BR/><BR/>I have taken a stand againt part of the public Sharia, which is about relations between oneself and the others; whereas private Sharia is about the relations between the creator and humans, it is how one connects with the lord.<BR/><BR/>I have not condemned the book publication either. I wish you taken the time to at least read this thread, or learn about others before you make the comment about them. You have made too many assumptions.<BR/><BR/>This particular thread is about the book. Why was it pulled, censorship or profitability?<BR/><BR/>Your comment saddens me, we the moderates (of all faiths) have a lot of work to do; to mitigate ill-will and nurture goodwill. I forgive you, by the way God loves the ones most, who forgive.<BR/><BR/>I ask God to free you from prejudice, once you achieve that you will be the happiest man on this earth and I want you to be happy. It is contagious<BR/><BR/>Mike Ghouse<BR/>www.WorldMuslimCongress.comMike Ghousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462242975774901312.post-34622535512540517482008-08-13T19:16:00.001-06:002008-08-13T19:16:00.001-06:00Extremism and ignorance is the common enemy of man...Extremism and ignorance is the common enemy of mankind. Not the religion, any religion for that matter.<BR/><BR/>The Extremists wearing religious labels have nothing else to do than frightening the people to falsely feel safe that they have enough people on their side. It is time for the majority to speak up, An overwhelming majority (above 90%) of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and others are moderate folks who believe in living their lives and letting other live theirs. The “moderate majority” is getting tired of the extremists and will speak up and pacify the extremists not to fear and have hopes, a tough job to do. <BR/><BR/>If Pew or some one else conducts a survey, framing the questions to determine one’s moderation, you will find out that we are a nation of moderate people, don’t gloat on it yet to find wrong with others, that will be the result even in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Russia, Ireland or any where you go. <BR/><BR/>We have to figure out the best possible way to co-exist, annihilation of others has never worked nor will it ever work. <BR/><BR/>Mike Ghouse<BR/>www.Foundationforpluralism.comMike Ghousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3462242975774901312.post-26217996479390841582008-08-13T19:16:00.000-06:002008-08-13T19:16:00.000-06:00The topic is about the censorship of the book, if ...The topic is about the censorship of the book, if we can stick with the topic, we can go somewhere.<BR/><BR/>How we can we deal with ignorance? The fanatics among Christians match the fanatics among Muslims and Jews. Fortunately they are just a few. Each one assumes that his belief is the standard to denigrate the other, as if they are in the business of denigration.<BR/><BR/>Neither Jews nor Muslims deny Jesus Christ, they have another point of view as the Christians do. God has not signed a deal behind others back to favor one over the other, that kind of God will cheat you too and that is no the quality of God.<BR/><BR/>No sir (as ma'ms are not fanatics) God is about love, justice and fairness. He loves all his creation whether you go through the teachings of Jesus, Mohammad, Moses, Krishna, Zarthustra, Bahaullah, Buddha, Mahavir, Nanak or any of the spiritual masters. <BR/><BR/>All paths will lead one to become a better being and no one will go to hell. <BR/><BR/>Mike Ghouse<BR/>www.WisdomofReligion.orgMike Ghousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com