Festivals of the World: Essence of Christmas

Should Christmas be an exclusive Christian event? This Muslims' answer is no. We cannot limit Jesus to be exclusively owned by any group of people, nor can anyone monopolize his message. Jesus and his message belong to the whole of humanity. For Christians, he is the son of God, and for all others, he is a great man who brought the message of hope and peace to the world. Whether we believe in God or not, 

Continued http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/festivals-of-the-world-es_1_b_4492571.html#es_share_ended

Thank you
Mike Ghouse
...........................................................................................................
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in Standing up for others and a book with the same title is coming up. Mike has a strong presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington post; and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work through many links. 
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Muslims take Pastor Terry Jones head on about Quran Burning

10th Annual Unity Day USA – reflections on 9/11 tragedy and response to Quran Burning by Pastor Terry Jones at Mulberry Civic Center, Florida. 

You are cordially invited to be a part of a purposeful event, and join fellow Americans of different faiths, ethnicities and races to reflect on the anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. On this day, we will reaffirm our pledge to one nation under God with liberty and Justice for all. We will pray for peace, prosperity and security of our nation.

Event: 10th Annual Unity Day USA
Time: 8:46 AM – 10:46 AM
Date: September 11, 2013
Place: Mulberry Civic Center,
Address: 901 NE 5th St, Mulberry, FL 33860
RSVP- ConfirmAttendance@gmail.com
Full Details: www.UnityDayUSA.com
and at: www.WorldMuslimCongress.com 


Together as Americans we gather to:

- Express our gratitude to our Firemen, Police, defense, FBI and our civic leaders;
- Honor individuals who have contributed to the well being of Polk County;
- Appreciate the God given diversity of our nation; we are God’s own country;
- Rededicate our pledge to the peace, prosperity and security of America;
- A message to Muslims that we respect the Qur'an and our freedom of speech   

Please join us with your family and friends. Your presence is a valuable expression of unity. Along with our elected officials, civic, religious and business leaders, you help will fulfill our common values and aspirations. Your presence fortifies our commitment to a cohesive America, where no American has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of fellow Americans. It is an enriching positive experience you will fall in love with.

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. We honor the freedom of speech of every American.

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

Video Message to Pastor Jones and Muslims across the world - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsQq-tbJ89k&feature=youtu.be 

What will Americans and American Muslims will do on that day?
Visit www.UnityDayUSA.com 
More Details at: www.WorldMuslimCongress.com 

# # #

Contact: 

            Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916 – MikeGhouse@aol.com 
            Suzanne Carter-Moore (727) 479-5041- NotinMulberry@gmail.com 
            Butch Rahman (863) 585-6379 – ButchRahman@me.com

Quran Burning Video Message to Muslims and Pastor Terry Jones

The following Video at You Tube is about how Muslims will respond to Pastor Jones buring of 2998 copies of Quran – Koran
  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsQq-tbJ89k&feature=youtu.be

We are concerned about the violent reactions to Quran burning by some of the fringe elements among Muslims elsewhere in the world, the perceptions that get slapped on to Muslims for the actions of a few, and safety of fellow Americans and American Embassies.

As American Muslims, we plan to respond to pastor Terry Jones' planned burning of 3000 copies of Quran on September 11, 2013 with grace and dignity.  We honor the free speech guaranteed in our constitution for every American and have no intentions to criticize, condemn or oppose Pastor Terry Jones expression.  Instead, we will be donating blood and praying for the goodness to prevail.

We hope, our mercy based message will remind Muslims to follow the examples of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), a mercy to mankind to contribute towards a better world.  We believe it may also 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.

Our response would be to show unity and solidarity with fellow Americans and the fellow humanity – we will establish a system to respond to conflicts.  Americans of all traditions and religions will come together and express our goodness through fellowship and prayer, and rededicate our pledge to the safety, security and unity of our nation.

What exactly will Muslims do?
Details at: www.UnitydayUSA.com 

Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
. . . . . 

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in Standing up for others and has done that throughout his life as an activist. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington post; and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work through many links.

Quran burning, Pastor Terry Jones, and Muslim response

A PURPOSEFUL EVENT : 10TH ANNUAL UNITY DAY USA

It is a purposeful event to bring Americans of different faiths, races, ethnicities and other uniqueness 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 Quran Burning by Pastor Terry Jones in Mulberry, Florida.

Event: 10th Annual Unity Day USA
Time: 8:46 AM 
Date: September 11, 2013
Place: Mulberry Civic Center, 
901 NE 5th St  Mulberry, FL 33860
http://www.cityofmulberryfl.com 
RSVP- ConfirmAttendance@gmail.com Contact information - at the bottom

Press Conference: 8:00 AM

 PICTURES  INDICATE HOW IT WILL BE DONE IN MULBERRY, AS HAS BEEN DONE 

PICTURES FROM UNITY DAY IN DALLAS

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.

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. 

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 OUTLINE Event: 10th Annual Unity Day USA
Time: 8:46 AM

Date: September 11, 2013
Place: Mulberry Civic Center, 901 NE 5th St  Mulberry, FL 33860
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 

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 REMARKS

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

BLOOD DONATION

 

FUNDING FOR THE EVENT

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/ 

 VIDEO MESSAGE TO MUSLIMS AND PASTOR JONES

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

  

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

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

5. 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

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

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

 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 BORNhttp://911unitydayusa.blogspot.com/2011_12_01_archive.html

Unity day 2009

Unityday 2006

CONTACTS:

The Mulberry Unity Day USA Team

Suzanne Carter (727) 479-5041 
Linda Jezard 
Curtis Rahman (863) 430-7553
Lynn Broom (863-662-8511

Thank you.
Mike Ghouse 
www.MikeGhouse.net 
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
email: SpeakerMikeGhouse@Gmail.com 

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

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

Pastor Jones wants to burn 3,000 Korans in Polk County, Florida

Follow us: @myfoxtampabay on Twitter | FOX13TampaBay on Facebook

Posted: Aug 22, 2013 4:53 PM CST Updated: Aug 22, 2013 4:56 PM CST

By: Ken Suarez, FOX 13 Polk Bureau Reporter - bio
Follow us: @myfoxtampabay on Twitter | FOX13TampaBay on Facebook

Video at:  http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/23233567/2013/08/22/pastor-wants-to-burn-3000-korans-in-mulberry

 

From Muslims in America, a novel protest against quran burning

Courtesy: Times of IndiaWASHINGTON: In an effort to overturn the image of Muslims as fire-breathing, sword-slashing conquerors and avengers, a Muslim group in America will resort to a pacific response to the provocative burning of the Quran by a fundamentalist Christian evangelist. 

Pastor Terry Jones, the notorious Christian extremist who riled Muslims across the world with his inflammatory burning of the quran in 2011, has upped the ante by threatening to burn 3000 copies of the Quran on September 11, the anniversary of the terrorist attack on America that killed nearly 3,000 people. But instead of getting provoked, the so-called " World Muslim Congress" in the US said it will "reclaim the standard of behavior practiced by the prophet concerning scurrilous and hostile criticism of the Quran." 

It cited a quranic verse that says, "To overcome evil with good is good, and to resist evil by evil is evil," and said it is also strongly enjoined in the Quran in the same verse 41:34 that "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."

The Texas-based outfit said many Muslim organizations across America will go on a "blood drive" to save lives and serve humanity with kindness on the same day pastor Jones has said he will burn the copes of the Quran. 

"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," said Mike Ghouse, an Indian-American Muslim community leader who has been promoting inter-faith harmony in the US for several years. 

Ghouse said the organization hoped that the blood drive event and the message will remind Muslims elsewhere in the world 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," a statement from the organization said. 

Jones's Quran burning capers have caused universal revulsion, including in the United States, and also led to sporadic episodes of reactive violence in some countries. US government officials, from the federal, state, and local levels, have repeatedly condemned his antics. 

"It's regrettable that a pastor in Gainesville, Florida with a church of no more than fifty people can make this outrageous and distressful, disgraceful plan and get, you know, the world's attention," former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said when Jones first announced his provocative move in 2010. 

But Jones has kept at it despite universal condemnation, including promoting a movie called the "Innocence of Muslims" that vilified Islam and conjuring up September 11 as "International Judge Muhammed Day." Although dismissed as a wingnut in the US, he still gets enough attention to rile up some Islamic extremists. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/From-Muslims-in-America-a-novel-protest-against-quran-burning/articleshow/21982162.cms

911 Memorial, Florida, Koran Burning, Mirza A Beg, Mulberry City, Muslim Speaker Mike Ghouse, Pastor Terry Jones, Pluralism, Quran burning, Tampa Bay, Times of India, UnityDay, World Muslim Congress

A proper response to an inflammatory act

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20130821177617Last updated: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 10:10 PM

Tariq A. Al-Maeena
 

 REMEMBER the contentious Pastor Terry Jones out of Florida, who rose to fame back in 2010 with his controversial declaration of burning a copy of the Qur’an, an act that was surely meant to inflame passions within Muslims the world over?

Well guess what? He is now planning something on a much bigger scale. On Sept. 11, 2013, the pastor and his disciples will carry out an “International Burning of 2,998 Qur’ans” to “send Islam a very clear warning.”


The 2,998 figure is meant to signify the number of people who died during the World Trade Center (WTC) attacks.

In a message he said: “On September 11, 2013, to remember those who were murdered by radical Islam, and to send Islam a very clear warning that they will not get their foothold in the American Constitution as they have done in Europe, we will be holding an International Burning. The radical hand of Islam shows itself with violence against anyone who dares to stand up and speak the truth. … We will not be silent.”

This time around an American and his associate have decided to counter the pastor’s intended inflammatory actions with a carefully executed response that smacks of ‘turning the other cheek.’

Mike Ghouse, a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work and social settings is spearheading a move to meet the pastor’s response head-on with a worthy response. Mike, who is zealous toward building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day is planning “to respond to Pastor Terry Jones' planned burning of 2,998 copies of Qur’an on September 11, 2013 in positive terms.”

In a press release, Mike and his associate Mirza Beg speaking for the organization
(www.worldmuslimcongress.com) said: “Our response — we will reclaim the standard of behavior practiced by the Prophet concerning “scurrilous and hostile criticism of the Qur’an. 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 3,000 copies Qur’an 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 (pbuh) 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 the 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.”

Thank you for your commitment towards a peaceful solution, Mike. It is the media who should thank you for your commendable cause.


— Tariq Al-Maeena can be reached at talmaeena@aol.com and followed @talmaeena

Muslim Group Will Protest Quran Burning

Muslim Group Will Protest Quran Burning

By Suzie Schottelkotte
THE LEDGER
Published: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 4:31 p.m.

http://www.theledger.com/article/20130820/NEWS/130829938?Title=Muslim-Group-Will-Protest-Quran-Burning-

MULBERRY | As a Florida pastor plans to burn 3,000 Qurans in protest at a home near Mulberry next month, members of the Dallas-based World Muslim Congress are planning a counter demonstration of their own.

 

Mike Ghouse, the organization's president, said he hopes his group's peaceful gathering in Mulberry will stand in contrast to Terry Jones' burning of the Muslim holy book.

 

 

“Everybody in the world is going to be watching what happens in Mulberry,” he said. “We want them to know violence is not a behavior that will be tolerated.”

 

 

The Muslim group is moving its Unity Day ceremony, held annually in Dallas since the 2001 attacks on the United States, and will stage the Sept. 11 event in Mulberry.

 

 

“We usually have about 500 people of all denominations at the ceremony,” he said today. “I don't expect that many people to come to Mulberry, but we're hoping people from the community will turn out.”

 

A separate group of residents in Mulberry already is planning its own protest to the burning. Suzanne Carter-Moore, a Lakeland resident who works and grew up in Mulberry, initiated a local effort upon learning of Jones' plans in July.

 

“I just don't want Mulberry to appear like we are condoning his actions,” she told The Ledger last week.

 

Jones, who couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday, is planning to burn the Qurans in Mulberry also on Sept. 11. He has said he plans to burn a holy book for every person who died in the 2001 attacks.

 

He said he chose the Mulberry area after a resident, Bill McKinney, offered his property for that purpose. Jones has sold the Gainesville property where his church, Dove World Outreach Center, was the setting for a similar burning in 2011 that sparked deadly riots in Afghanistan.