Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Interfaith picture of the month - a Monk and a Hijabi

Interfaith Pictures Monk and Hijabi | InterfaithSpeaker.com 

Tuesday, February 9, 2016, Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., --
As I was walking from the Jefferson Library of Congress towards my office on Maryland Avenue, I saw a unique activity happening on the road in front of Capitol Hill.

A Muslim Hijabi (scarf over head) girl was taking picture of a Buddhist monk; I thought that was unique, as the Monks usually refrain from taking pictures. I guess America does it to everyone; Supreme Court was behind in the picture.  I grabbed my cell phone, and took a quick shot of it. 

As I walked closer to them, the role was reversed, and now the Monk is taking the picture of the woman in scarf. 




It is common for tourists to stop the person walking by to ask him/her to take the picture.  A monk and a Hijabi girl together?

I walked up to them and told them how unique it was to see those taking pictures of each other. She was from Indonesia and he was from Burma.

Burma?  The image that comes up is the extremist violent Buddhist Monks who are raping and pillaging the local Rohingya Muslims, and the other image is the Protest they held some ten years ago, tens of thousands of them walking in peace to protest against dictatorship. These are two contrasting images and I have written about both the incidents at TheGhousediary.com

This has been my fight all my life – not to stereotype people. In every community, every neighborhood, you will find the good, bad and ugly behaviors.

Mike Ghouse
Text or Talk at (214) 325-1916

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on PluralismInterfaithIslampolitics, terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net for his writings at TheGhousediary.com and several blogs listed there in. 

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Experiments in religious understanding

Experiments in religious understanding

Baptized Muslim Mike Ghouse in Jordan River

Baptized Muslim Mike Ghouse in Jordan River
I was blessed to be baptized in River Jordan last year in the same spot where Jesus was baptized. It was an enriching experience to me, particularly feeling the symbolic transformation. Jesus is my mentor, a true pluralist who had no barriers between him and humanity, as a Muslim I felt the affirmation of that thought; of being boundless. Article and pictures at http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/04/happy-easter.html

Interfaith Experiments

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TALK TOPICS

  • Ultimate Interfaith dialogue
  • Experiments in truth
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  • God does not sign exclusive deals
  • Purpose of Religion
  • Psychology of Prayers
  • Arrogance and Humility
  • Wisdom of Religion

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Interfaith experiments, public understanding of other religions

Interfaith experiments, public understanding of other religions
Religious leaders representing different religions were asked to share about their religion in three sentences, then towards the end of the program audience was randomly given to read (other than their own religion) a 100 word summary of each one of the religions. It was an eye opener for the people to see the difference in what the media and the politicians say, and the holy books of the respective religions say. You have to read it yourselves the whole paragraph or chapter and not a sentence to get a fuller picture.

Interfaith Solidarity; standing up for the Gazans and the Israelis.

Interfaith Solidarity; standing up for the Gazans and the Israelis.
We have to stand up for the rights of all people, joined in at the Gaza Rally protesting the killing of Gazans and led the Pluralism Prayer for the wellbeing of the people of Gaza and Israel at North Haven United Methodist Church. Love and Prayers are the positive energies that prevent your heart from contamination of ill-will, malice, hate and prejudice. We have to be blind when it comes to justice and not appease or pander to any one.

Arab Imams on Interfaith

Arab Imams on Interfaith
I thank God for presenting limitless opportunities to talk about the Pluralistic values embedded in Islam and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) being an interfaith dialoguer. I have been a small part of the interfaith dialogue movement in Saudi Arabia, which began in 2003 in Dallas. In 2010 about twelve Arab Imams visited Dallas and I hosted the luncheon to talk about Interfaith in Islam. I can sum this up in one sentence, “those imams were ahead of us in pluralism in Islam, for every sentence I uttered, they produced Prophets Sayings and verses from Quraan.” God willing one major good is going to come out of it; stopping the printing and distribution of mistranslated Quraan by Muslims; Al-Hilali translation.

The Prestigious Slater Award

The Prestigious Slater Award
Mike Ghouse was honored with teh prestigious Slater Award as the Religious communicator fo the year.