Michael Ghouse, World Muslim Congress leader, to speak at Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh Muslim University | www.WorldMuslimCongress.com
Aligarh Muslim University has organized a two day International conference with the theme -“Intellectual Crises of the Muslim Ummah: Rethinking Traditional Solutions.”
Center for promotion of Educational Advancement of Muslims in India. Click here.
Leader of the conference – Prof. Rashid Shaz. Click here.
The speakers from around the world will speak on a variety of subjects focused on the theme and Mike Ghouse with the World Muslim Congress, a think tank will be presenting a paper on “Does Islam need a Reform or we just need new interpreters? He will be participating in a few other panels, including “Can Muslims lead a conglomeration of faith communities?And is United Islam Possible?
Mike Ghouse added, “I am pleased to see the efforts of Muslims in India, United States and elsewhere to hold these conferences and advance the idea of an inclusive world, where all of God’s creation is respected as members of one family. We all came from a single couple Adam and Eve, and were made into many communities and nations, as the Abrahimic religions put it, and the Dharmic traditions have its equivalent wisdom in Vasudhaiva Kutumbukum” meaning the whole world is one family.”
Ghouse defines pluralism in action as “if we can learn to respect the otherness of others and accept the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge to create a cohesive world, where no human has to live in apprehension or fear of the other.” Mike plans to release soon on YouTube a 45 Minutes video on Pluralism and Islam.
Mike has written over 2500 articles on Pluralism in religion, politics, society, work place and Islam. Readers can Google search “Pluralism speaker”, “Interfaith speaker” or “Muslim Speaker” for his articles. Dallas Morning News has published over 225 articles and Huffington post over 125 pieces with publication in myriad of other news and media outlets, including The Indian Panorama.
Presentations by Mike Ghouse
Can Muslims lead a conglomeration of faith communities? Implications of Kalmae siwa
Muslims can lead a willing conglomeration of faith communities if they start believing in being Mukhlooqul Aalameen, representing the interests of all humanity. It is an extension of their belief in God as Rabbul Aalameen and prophet as Rahmatul Aalameen.
Was Islam ever meant to be a religion for Muslims? Indeed the message of Islam was for those who submitted to the idea of oneness of humanity, universe and its creator, and further believed in accountability of their actions in preserving the harmony of the universe.
God has set himself up as a God of universe – the very first verse in the first and last chapters of Quran declares “Rabbul Aalameen” and “God of humanity” and throughout the Quran the theme is the same.
Quran is not for Muslims, and by making it exclusively ours, we are reducing God to be our property and denying him to others and thus creating a Muslim specific God, as if others have their own.
Implications of 3:64and 3:85 God is advising to be truthful, state your belief and acknowledge the otherness of other’s belief (109.6) , but come to common terms and figure out how to work together. The best ones among you are the ones who learn about each other. Knowledge leads to understanding and understanding to acceptance and appreciation of another point of view.
We have an obligation to lead the world in creating cohesive societies where no one has to live in apprehension or fear of the other.
Does Islam need a Reform or we just need new interpreters?
Reform is one of the most detested words among Muslims. On the one hand the academics see the corrupted versions of Islamic interpretations and rightfully want to fix it, whereas, the firebrand religious leaders take it as an attack on their tradition and willing to shed the blood to defend it.
And how do we bring the change? The key is communicating the intent (niyya) and a need to understand the issue without pulling the rug from underneath their feet.
Justice is one word in Islam that wraps balance, harmony, fairness, mercy and equity together for the society to function cohesively, where no one has live in fear of the other but God. Without it, things will degenerate into a dysfunctional society.
In the last decade the pristine Islam we knew has been mangled up, and it is our duty to restore it.
Sharia is central to all this, which was designed to offer complete guidance to personal and public behavior of a Muslim, and justice to humanity. However, due to human management Justice was not served.
We have identified a few problems in “applications” of the Sharia laws that undermine the principles of justice in dealing with apostasy, blasphemy, rape, divorce, dhimmi, separation, marriage, child custody, and inheritance, interfaith and other issues.
We need to fix the laws without it a large swatch of population becomes rudderless. In the Indian context, we may want to go with UCC as it’s’ intent is Justice and is enforceable.
Mike Ghouse, World Muslim Congress, Dallas | Washington (214) 325-1916 [email protected]
Is United Islam Possible?
United Islam is not a reality, nor do Muslims have an appetite for it. Given the unwillingness to acknowledge the otherness of others, a deep chasm has developed and pushed the denominational plates too far apart. However, we should pursue alternatives and strengthen ad hoc federations as a part of existential needs. One Islam is a pipe dream.
Human division is purely based on the God given uniqueness to each one of us. Quran advises in 49:13, “you have been created into many tribes, communities and nations from a single couple” and in another place it tells us that “had God willed, he would have created all of us alike.”
So, what is the alternative to a united Muslim community? God knows that our uniqueness generates conflict, and as we continue to seek security for our space, fight for sustenance and defend our nurturance, he offers the solution; the best ones amongst you are those who know each other. Accepting diversity is very Islamic and that is the guidance found in Quran.
Prophet Muhammad understood that Islam is a reflection of human nature, and said that his followers will divide themselves up into 72/73 tribes – an elusive number to indicate many. Indeed that is story of all religions.
Everything God has said in Quran is demonstrated by the actions of the prophet. When we become Amins and respect the otherness of others and accept the God given uniqueness to each one of us then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.
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