American Muslim Agenda - What is it?

What is that Americans Muslims want? How close are they to what you want? What can they do about it? What are your issues with each other? If you are a conservative, grudgingly, you'll see the value in this book, and if you are a moderate, you'll dance and sing along with joy.

You and I have a responsibility to create a world where, you, me, and our grandchildren can live without apprehensions. No matter we go, we should feel secure about faith, race, ethnicity, culture and our political and sexual orientation.

Would the book American Muslim Agenda bring attitudinal change among Muslims?  Yes, it will, it’s akin to planting seeds and nurturing it to give the beneficence to the next generation. I know most American Muslims will wholeheartedly subscribe to the refreshed understanding of Islam, we need to expand it to more Americans.

Some of the reservations we have about Muslims and Islam are based on what we have heard from our parents, teachers, clergy, favorite media people and others.  We need to find the truth on our own and find freedom from misunderstandings. It is a blessing to be free.

Muslims have shied away from confronting difficult issues about their faith, and most of them don't even have a clue about the essence of Islam, it was never articulated before in the history of Islam. 

A few medieval scholars have reduced Islam to rituals, five pillars, dhimmi, jizya, sharia, externalities, and enforcement of your rules on to others. That is not Islam, and most Muslims can recite verses that Islam is about free will. God uploaded free will into Adam’s DNA, and emphasized it in the Quran, the prophet practiced ‘freewill’ and established examples for it. Sadly, Muslims know the truth but were bullied into silence with fatwa bombs. All I have done is articulated what Muslims believe, but dared not say it. The book is the voice of the majority of ‘American’ Muslims.

This book is a product of twenty years of research and thousands of discussions in which Muslims, non-Muslims, and “Islamophobes” have participated in it, including debates on Fox News with Sean Hannity, Stuart Varney, Pamela Geller, Brigitte Gabrielle, Robert Spencer, Jamie Glazov, Raymond Ibrahim, Walid Shoebat, Wafa Sultan, and several others.  

Islam is about living your life and letting others live theirs. Islam is about building cohesive societies where all of God's creation lives with dignity and freedom. In God’s universe, we are merely a speck, and no one is more privileged than the other. If you are a moderate individual of any faith, you will find the book in tune with you.

It is time to go beyond the five pillars of Islam, and I hope the Imams and Muslim scholars who are free thinkers would appreciate the contents of the book. This book may indeed become a reference manual for teaching Islamic values that contribute to creating a better world for all humanity.

The American Muslim Agenda offers guidance to Muslims to be one with all, and it voices what Muslims believe and live with and empowers them to live their lives and let others live with free will.  The book opens the door to people of other faiths to shed their biases and join hands in creating a world of safety, security, and harmony for all humanity.

Islam is a public religion, and Muslims don't own it exclusively. You are invited to participate in discussions, including your faith.  The book is expected to initiate conversations about the nature of Islam and fellow humans. I welcome your criticism (after reading the book).

You can get the book by calling 1-888-795-4274 x 4528 or get it from Amazon online or a book store. You can find the talking points at www.AmericanMuslimAgenda.com.

Dr. Mike Ghouse is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. His new book, the “American Muslim Agenda” is about everything you wanted to know about Muslims. The book is available at Xlibris and Amazon. Mike is a public speaker, author, interfaith wedding officiant, and the executive director of the Center for Pluralism in Washington, DC. More about him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeghouse/

Press Release : Anti-Sharia rally challenged by the Center for Pluralism

PRESS CONFERENCE

Websites: www.CenterforPluralism.com | www.ShariaLaws.com 
Contacts:

Mike Ghouse, (214) 325-1916, Mike@CenterforPluralism.com  
Sam Madden, (214) 842-9715, Sam@CenterforPluralism.com | Dallas
Ali A Fateh, (845)213-7375, Ali@CenterforPluralism.com | New York 

Anti-Sharia rally challenged by the Center for Pluralism

Washington, DC, June 5, 2017 -- Brigitte Gabriel, a frequent combatant with Mike Ghouse on the Sean Hannity show at Fox News is organizing nationwide Anti-Sharia rallies on Saturday June 10^, 2017.   Her organization, ACT for America is recklessly determined on pitting one American against the other, whereas the Center for Pluralism is committed to bring Americans together under one flag as one nation under God for the safety and security of Americans, all Americans.

No Americans needs to be afraid of the other, we are a free people and we will fight with the negative forces to keep our land free from fears and ill-will. 

Event: Press Conference about Anti-Sharia Rallies on June 10
Date: Thursday, June 8, 2017 between 6-7 PM
Venue: At the foot of the US Supreme Court
Address: 1 First St NE, Washington, DC 20543
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/anti-sharia-rallies-are-a-waste-of-time-press-conference-tickets-35163309405

Mike Ghouse, president of the Center for Pluralism said, “I urge Ms. Gabriel to consider withdrawing this gratuitous act and join us in a civilized conversation on Sharia in a symposium we are planning. Let’s stay focused on peace and prosperity instead of flaming conflicts and confusion.”

First, let’s get the position of American Muslims out of the way. As Muslims, they uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our constitution. Their faith reinforces the idea of one nation with liberty and justice for all.

Secondly, they and their institutions are not seeking or asking for the type of Sharia that ACT for America is imagining and opposing.

Lastly, the Center for Pluralism is committed to bring knowledge to Americans to allay their fears about Sharia. A series of articles will be published in the newspapers, or at least our website www.CenterforPluralism.com and Dr. Ghouse will be available to discuss Sharia.

# # #

Sharia Week :: Anti-Sharia rallies are a waste of time!

On June 10, 2017, ACT for America is organizing  anti-Sharia rallies in 23 Cities across America. Given that Muslims have not asked for it, it is a waste of time. We are offering a symposium to clarify once for all – all the doubts, fears and question fellow Americans have about Sharia. This week a series of articles on Sharia and declarations will be made on this website; www.CenterforPluralism.com.  We are offering solutions and in the wake of that these rallies are a waste of time. I will be contacting Brigitte this week.

ACT for America is hell bent on pitting one American against the other creating chaos and confusion, where as CFP (Center for Pluralism) is committed to building  a cohesive America where no American has to live in apprehension or tension.

Included below are the Press Release and the Action Plan
We hope to organize a press conference on Wednesday June 7 at 6:00 PM
Please note the date and time, and the place will be announced right here
http://centerforpluralism.com/anti-sharia-rallies-are-a-waste-of-time-mike-ghouse/

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Mike Ghouse
email: Mike@Centerforpluralism.com
website: www.CenterforPluralism.com
Phone: (214) 325-1916 – Washington, DC

Anti-Sharia rally challenged by the Center for Pluralism

Washington, DC, June 5, 2017 — Brigitte Gabrielle, a frequent combatant with Mike Ghouse on the Sean Hannity show at Fox News is organizing nationwide Anti-Sharia rallies on Saturday June 10,2017.  Her organization, ACT for America is hell bent on pitting one American against the other, whereas the Center for Pluralism is committed to bring Americans together under one flag as one nation under God for the safety and security of Americans, all Americans.

No Americans needs to be afraid of the other, we are a free people and we will fight with the negative forces to keep our land free from fears and ill-will.

Mike Ghouse, president of the Center for Pluralism said, “I urge Ms. Gabriele to consider withdrawing this gratuitous act and join us in a civilized conversation on Sharia in a symposium we are planning. Let’s stay focused on peace and prosperity and not flame conflicts and confusion.”

First, let’s get the position of American Muslims out of the way. As Muslims, they uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our constitution. Their faith reinforces the idea of one nation with liberty and justice for all.

Secondly, they and their institutions are not seeking or asking for the type of Sharia that ACT for America is imagining, cooking and opposing.

Lastly, the Center for Pluralism is committed to bring knowledge to Americans to allay their fears about Sharia. A series of articles will be published in the newspapers, or at least our website www.CenterforPluralism.com and Dr. Ghouse will be available to discuss Sharia.

# # #

Action Plan against Anti-Sharia Rallies

On Saturday, June 10 2017 – Brigitte Gabriele’s ACT for America is organizing 23 Anti-Sharia rallies across America[i](Link) . What are we going to do about it? I am pleased to offer what we have done in the past events like this, and our action plan.

We have a choice to exhaust our vocabulary by throwing epithets like “right wingers, Islamophobes, Neocons, enemies of Islam…..” or follow the non-violent path laid out by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Mother Teresa once reflected, “If you want to make peace with your enemies go talk with them.” It is as simple as that and it has greater chances of working out than cursing them. Non-Violence works!

Pastor Jones wanted to burn 2998 copies of Quran – we stepped in and pulled the entire county to work with us – We levied no condemnation against Pastor Jones but acknowledged his right to free speech. It is one of the successful stories of Muslims engagements with fellow Americans to bring a positive change. Funds permitting, and encouraged by the Department of State, we are considering making a documentary in resolving conflicts,   respecting freedom of speech and honoring what is sacred to people. It will be another feather in Muslims cap. Full story at: http://quranburningpastorterryjones.blogspot.com/

Pastor Robert Jeffress desecrated Islam, Prophet and Quran and called, “Quran is a false book written by a false prophet “creating a mess in Dallas, Texas. My approach was, “Pastor Jeffress, I am not blaming you for what you said, but I am asking you to check the veracity of the source of information you have about Quran and Islam. You probably have read the deliberately mistranslated Quran, I am pleased to offer a good translation and we can discuss it right here in your church. We owe the truth to our congregations. We responded kindly and it ended up in a Quran Conference that successfully changed the minds of fellow Americans towards Islam. This special site has full of videos, stories and events – www.Quraanconference.com

We also dealt with 9/11 Ground Zero Mosque controversy; I was the sole defender in its first week against Pamela Geller and Sean Hannity. If Imam Feisal had entered the scene earlier the situation would have been different.   Much of which is chronicled in this special purpose blog – http://groundzeromosque.blogspot.com/

Peter King Hearings and other issues are chronicled in full blogs dedicated to the topics.

In October 2015 armed protests were planned in front of 15 mosques. Muslim organizations did not want to deal with it, I challenged them and they accepted to keep the mosques open and offer water and snacks to the protestors. This was an opportunity for Muslims to present themselves as to who they were – a hospitable people and not what Fox News portrays them to be. Thanks to Dahlia Mogahed for seconding the proposal. We wrote a press release and published in 80 newspapers – the protestors backed off.

Now, I want to make a similar effort and it will take employing a lot of time, resources and funding in the next few days.

Countering Anti-Sharia demonstrations.

Let’s handle this situation in the most civil manner while acknowledging and honoring free speech by ACT for America group.

1. A series of Op-eds will appear in the next few days informing fellow Americans about the non-existent public Sharia in America, and the unproductive nature of Anti-Sharia demonstrations.
2. It will be a full blown education week about Sharia. I urge Muslims to spend their time on writing positive articles rather than pulling other Muslims down.
3. We will hold symposiums on Sharia in the coming months to address the concerns of fellow Americans.
4. I will personally urge Ms. Gabriele to consider withdrawing this gratuitous act and join us in a civilized conversation in a symposium on Sharia.
5. I hope to appeal to common sense of the people on National TV – Urging Muslims to show their hospitality, supply water bottles to the protestors and let them know that we respect their right to protest. We have to win hearts and minds and let them see we are good Americans, and not what they have heard about us on Fox News.
6. We owe it to fellow Americans to allay their fears about Sharia. Our goal at the Center for Pluralism is to create an environment where no American feels apprehensive or fearful of a fellow American.
7. Let’s stay focused on peace and prosperity and not on conflicts and confusion.

Click this link and donate:
https://www.paypal.me/AmericansTogether

Mike Ghouse
Center for Pluralism
www.CenterforPluralism.com
Washington, DC 20002
(214) 325-1916

REFERENCES:
ACT for America Site – http://www.actforamerica.org/rally

Rallies to be held in 23 Cities  http://imagine2050.newcomm.org/2017/05/22/anti-muslim-march-against-sharia-planned./

SHARIA LAWS, NOT IN AMERICA

The intent of the Sharia laws was to construct a complete justice system with fairness to all members of society. Peace and a sense of security are the products of justice in a given society. The violations of justice and the rule of law are found in every faith, culture and political system, to varying degrees. In this respect no community is free of blame and no one can cast the first stone against another community.

American Muslims have placed their trust in the American justice system and will continue to oppose Sharia laws as they are currently applied in many places across the globe. I will be one of the first ones, if not the first one, to stand up against it. The Muslim majority in America is happy with the American system and does not want to have Sharia law here in America.

Continued - http://www.opednews.com/articles/Sharia-not-in-America-by-Mike-Ghouse-110622-556.html

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a speaker, thinker, writer and a frequent guest on Hannity show and nationally syndicated Radio shows and Dallas TV, Radio and Print Media. Over 1000 articles have been published on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, India and cohesive societies. Two of his books are poised to be released this fall on Pluralism and Islam. He is available to speak at your place of worship, work, school, college, seminars or conferences. His work is encapsulated in 27 blogs, four websites and several forums indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/.