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Mike Ghouse - A Profile Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker, Writer, Moderator and a Blogger on Pluralism, Interfaith, civil societies, Terrorism, Peace, Islam, and India. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television networks offering a pluralistic perspective on issues of the day. His comments, news analysis and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website www.MikeGhouse.net Mike is a Dallasite for nearly three decades and Carrollton is his home town. He can be reached at MikeGhouse@gmail.com Over 700 Articles and essays on the above subjects have been published in the Newspapers, Magazines, Blogs and websites across the globe. Mike is a Pluralist, a conflict mitigator and a goodwill nurturer. The theme is consistent in his speeches, writings and workshops he conducts. He is blessed to have initiated and continue to lead events that bring people from all faiths, races, ethnicities, cultures and other uniqueness's; The annual thanksgiving celebrations & Awards night since 1993, The Annual Unity Day USA, a 9/11 unifying effort is on since 2005, and the Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides was commemorated for the 2nd time in 2009. Mike hosted a Radio program called "Wisdom of Religion, all the beautiful religions" from 2004-2006, where he explored the essence of every faith as well as Atheism and the natured based traditions like Wicca. Over 100 hours of learning was presented with experts, pastors, Rabbis, Imams and Pundits from every tradition. As a hobby Mike initiated the Radio Programs for the Asian Americans in 1993 which has blossomed into two Desi Radio Stations in Dallas; Fun Asia Radio on 700 AM and the Salaam Namaste Radio on 104.9 FM. Mike is perhaps the first Asian American Radio talk show host in Texas and the microphones was open to all points of view. He believed if a nation has to make a decision on any issue, all points of view must be heard, no matter how liberal or conservative they may be. Mike also published a News paper called Asian News, which was renamed as Asian American Journal from 1993- 2000, it was a journal of the Subcontinentians, i.e., the people of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. MIKE'S MISSION My Mission is to promote Religious pluralism and work on developing models for Pluralistic forms of Governance. And personally promote goodwill amongst peoples of different affiliations, be it religious, nationalistic, race, ethnic, linguistic or any other uniqueness. If we can learn to accept the otherness of other and respect the God given uniqueness of each one of the 7 billion of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. I believe knowledge leads to understanding, and understanding to acceptance and appreciation of people with a different point of view. PERSONAL COMMITMENT I am committed to Pluralism in all walks of life and will be providing Media and the world leaders with insights on, and policy solutions to effectively managing the multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multicultural societies. It is my commitment to defend the divinity of every religion. COMMITMENT TO PEACE I am committed to peace; my words and actions are geared to reduce conflicts and nurture goodwill amongst people of different affiliations. I walk the middle path and get to work with the radical right wingers as well as the ultra-left. My work for peace and co-existence is reflected through the workshops, radio shows, speeches, discussion forums and writings. Much of it is in expressed in the websites and the related Blogs listed on the panel in the right column; BORN & RAISED I was born and raised in Yelahanka, a suburb of Bangalore, India. My father’s inherent disposition to treat people with dignity has influenced my life a great deal. He was a freedom fighter and the Mayor of the Town of Yelahanka [1952-53]. Recently I discovered the pluralistic aspect of my mother and am simply inspired by her values. Her death in 2001 had the greatest impact on me as she tied all the loose ends and was ready to go, indeed she wrote a note three days prior about it and left a handwritten will for the family. I reached her four hours after she passed. I sat by her not knowing whether to smile or to cry, I chose to smile all the way until after she was buried and cried when I visited her three days later. I smiled because she led a good example of bringing conclusions to every thing and cry because I won't see her again. I grew up enjoying and celebrating Hindu, Muslim, Jain and Christian Festivals. Thanks to my Dad for the exposure he gave me. My family has come to believe that all festivals are there to celebrate and share the joy with the people you know. FAMILY
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INITIATIVES
FREEDOM I consider myself “ a free person ” and enjoy the God given boundlessness of my life. God has blessed me with a mind that simply does not allow any prejudice to crawl into my heart towards his creation. This is the wealth we will find in our discoveries of truth, Zero prejudice brings Salvation, Mukti, Nirvana, Moksha or Nijaat; it is indeed true freedom, try it, it is priceless. WHOLEHEARTEDLY Over the years, I've learned that “No matter what you do in life, do it wholeheartedly.” as it brings joy to oneself and the others who will consume the work. I thank God for blessing me with the passion to do everything with my heart and soul in it. My life has become Pluralism in general and Religious Pluralism in particular. I would be happy to offer my services to speak at any educational, religious or civic organization on Pluralism, Religious pluralism including multiculturalism and Indian Culture” MY INSPIRATION The lives of Prophet Mohammad [pbuh], Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Gautama Buddha, Jesus Christ, Rama, Martin Luther King Jr., my father Abdul Rahman, my mother Khairun Nisa and my maternal grand father Shaikh Hussain have profoundly inspired me. President Obama may become my Mentor as well, as I connect with him and his thought process. However, I still have to watch him how he deals with the world in bringing justice to every life. My Kids Jeff and Mina have excited me with their fresh perspectives on life and God. All my inspirers have frequently helped me see the world from another point of view, i.e., respecting all creation and "live and let live" point of view. My intuitive pluralism and ZERO prejudice has it's origins in Islam, Hinduism, Jainism and Christianity, many consider me to be a Baha'i. I was pleased to hear some one called me a Jew as well. Thanks to my father for unlocking me from a singular cell and opening multiple windows of knowledge for me. I have always cherished Abe Lincoln's statement "with malice towards none", practicing this gives me peace. A good Muslim is a good Hindu, is a good Christian, is a good Jew and is a good human being, the truth of goodness is the same. Reading Lincoln is my next project, as Obama is a follower of him. The people who continue to impart wisdom to me are; Dale Carnegie, Mahatma Gandhi, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Karen Armstrong, Jiddu Krishnamurthy, H.H. Dalai Lama, Martin Luther King Jr., H.H. Aga Khan, Reverend Moon, Allama Iqbal and Rabbi Gordis. Let me clarify this, the simple reason for these particular names is my exposure to their work. I am open to learning from every possible source. The ultimate in learning is when you become Brahma, to borrow from the Hindu philosophy, whence you do not have a barrier between you and what surrounds you. That is precisely what Qur'aan means when it asks you to submit to the will of God, Krishna means, surrender to him or Jesus, when he says follow me, you cannot go wrong with their advice and the wisdom of all other beautiful religions. Each one of the holy books nourish me in my quest for the truth. It is quite inspiring to open each book and draw an enormous amount of wisdom from it. Discussions with my teachers during my college days have formed the foundation for my outlook; the calm Shia-Sunni discussions between my father and Hussain Ali, or Shaikh Hussain my grand father and Hussain Ali, and the passionate Hindu faith of A. Ramachandra, my English teacher; the irresistible logic of Mohamed Fakhru, my weaver friend. And interacting with wise people in Dallas have enriched me tremendously. The open mindedness of Swami Nityananda Prabhu of Hare Krishna Temple; the comprehensiveness of Imam Yusuf Zia Kavacki of Dallas Central Mosque reinforces my belief in how God is assessed and in the last few years, my friendship with Imam Zia Shaikh is nothing but a joy. Each one of them is all about affection for life, Non-discriminatory caring, non-favoring one over the other for the heck of it other than good deeds, which Prophet Muhammad [pbuh] described as the good you can do to other beings, the goodness you bring to God's creation. MY FAITH I believe, each one of us is created by the same creative process, with a singular source [GOD] for such creation. I believe that respecting each one of its creations is the best form of praising, worshipping and honoring that divine creator. I believe knowledge leads to understanding and understanding to acceptance and appreciation of people with a different point of view. If we can learn to accept and respect the God given uniqueness to each one of the 6 billion of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. I have freed my God from religious confinement and believe that the divine's presence belongs to every one, and he/she/it is anywhere and everywhere. I see God's greatness in every which way and in every place of worship. I don't like to lock up God in any singular spot or limit him into a form. No one owns Jesus, Krishna or Mohamed: "Ram is not the property of Hindu's, he belongs to all, Christians don't own Jesus, and Mohammed and his message belongs to all". I feel that none of us should bottle up the great teachers into small cells, their teachings are universal and they belong to all. "Don't let prejudice stop you from learning all the good you can learn from all religious teachers”. I believe Learning about other faiths simply enhances one’s search for the truth. I am a Muslim and blessed to be one and I pray every one feels the same about their individual faith. My faith connects me with my Creator and answers the purpose of life, death, accountability and results. The Islam I know is what the majority of Muslims practice around the world, it is universal, all embracing and pluralistic. I relate with every faith and see the same essence and beauty in them as I see in Islam. I am comfortable with every beautiful way people have come to worship the divine. We do not have to undermine other faiths to make our faith better, faith is beyond comparisons. Faith brings humility to oneself and not arrogance. I believe that the connection with the Creator is inversely proportional to the ego. Greater the ego, (arrogance); lesser the connection. On the other hand, greater the humility, greater the spirituality. I am grateful to that the creator has helped me learn to respect and honor all faiths, and my faith teaches me never to denigrate other beliefs. Islam is my path and am honored to travel on it. As beauty is in they eyes of the beholder, religion is in the heart of the believer. Each faith is beautiful to the believer and we should honor that. To be a Muslim is to be a peacemaker, one who seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for peaceful co-existence. God wants us to live in peace and harmony with his creation; that is indeed the purpose of religion, any religion. Please read our Mission statement I honor cherish and respect every which way people have come to praise and worship the almighty, including but not limited to the Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jain, Judaism, Sikh, Wicca, Zoroastrian and several indigenous systems of belief. I am committed to defend the divinity of every faith with no exception and it is in no conflict with my faith, which is Islam. RELATIONSHIPS I have been exposed to and have been a part of many a World Cultures, and have developed the sensitivities and skills to understand and appreciate the uniqueness of each individual. No matter where you are from, you'll feel right at home with me. My inclination to provide thorough information and facilitate decision-making is appreciated by the people I serve in my business. COMMUNICATIONS One of my talents is communicating precisely what needs to be done each step of the way. I believe in writing down every thing for clear communications. My thoroughness, simplicity and a calm focus inspires peace of mind and assures a clear sense of direction for the people who come in contact with me. BUSINESS THE MANAGER. Mike has earned a reputation in taking on a project and turning it into a successful venture with an efficient operational structure for both business and non-profit organizations.
FIRST CITY HOMES The experience of helping over 2500 families fulfill their dream of American Homeownership in the last two decades in the Dallas Metroplex in fulfilling. I am a second generation home builder and now manage the business for First City Homes. My commitment to home building industry runs deep. Throughout my career, I have been involved in every aspect of Real Estate industry and have served as a Director of Sales and Marketing Council of Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas, and have served in Government Relations, Education and other committees. I am one of the founding members of the Green Building initiative of the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas and am committed to serving the industry for years to come. An M.B.A. in Business Management, an M.Com in Cost Accounting and a Bachelors degree in Banking with extensive management and real estate experience. At First City Homes, We are committed to setting the new standards in building your home. We have undertaken to follow the Green building practices; quite simply, green building is building more energy-efficient, healthier and environmentally-responsible homes. We are committed to advancement in building homes with the latest in science and technology. You will find our standards edge on the technological breakthrough employing the most advanced amenities in the homes we build. Indeed, we are setting the new standards in home building. It is our passion to build the best home value in the market for your money incorporating architecturally pleasing styles with practical living space and energy efficiency that will save you monies for years to come. Creating homes of enduring value is simply our mission. FULL ATTENTION As a customer or a client, you will get Mike's full attention. You'll benefit from his rich experience in finding solutions to your real estate needs. Whatever he does, he will do it wholeheartedly and will dedicate his time to you and expect the same commitment from you, one Customer at a time. PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENT As a commitment to his profession, Mike devotes a considerable percent of his time to serve the Real Estate industry. He has served on the Board of Sales & Marketing Council, served in the Government Relations Committee of Home Builders Association and continues to be a part of it. Mike was one of the founding members of the DFW Mortgage Brokers Assn. and DFW Property Managers Assn. He has served or chaired Committees in several organizations including the Greater Dallas Assn. of Realtors, Greater Dallas Apartment Assn, Builder Realtor Council and Several Chambers of Commerce. COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE To provide excellent service to his customers and clients alike, Mike has devoted weekly time towards continuing education in Home Building, Real Estate, Appraisals, Leasing, Property Management, Home Loans, Insurance, Remodeling and Investments in Real Estate. He is one of the most informed real estate professionals in the business. He is always a step ahead of his competition. He has participated and sponsored Seminars by the National speakers like Tom Hopkins, Tom Richey, Dave Stone, Roger Butcher, Rick Willis, Rick Deluca, Dr. Baird, Nikki Joy, Roger Stewart and many a greats. WISDOM OF RELIGION - RADIO PROGRAM (2004-06) Learn the wisdom of all the beautiful religions of the World. It is broadcasted on weekdays at 6:00 AM on AM Radio 1150 KBIS in Dallas/Fort Worth and world wide you can log onto www.RadioSuno.com. More about Foundation please navigate to Foundation on the website www.mikeghouse.net . A website is in the making called www.FoundationforPluralism.com. All ideas are welcome. The Program will celebrate its' first anniversary at the end of July 2004. This program was however commenced in August of 1995 in 15 minutes segments on the Saturdays. Now we will be completing one full year with one hour program each. In this period of time we have done 52 Hours of Each - Christianity, Hinduism and Islam = 156 Hours & 12 Hours each of Baha'i, Buddhist, Jain, Jewish, Sikh, Zoroaster and interfaith = 7 x 12 = 84 Hours + 9 Hours of general conversation. I.e., a total of 259 Hours of wisdom of Religion. I missed 1 hour in the entire year.
The following schedule gives the specific dates.
Mike has made a commitment to dedicate his day very year to 911 and work on learning and sharing it's impact on the world from a moral, religious, economic and social points of view.
Played leadership role in Dallas on the day of September 1. 2001 Two competing radio stations invited me to man the radio stations, which were simulcasted from 10:30 AM thru 5:00 PM.
Spiritual leaders from all faiths joined the talk show ; Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islam, Jain, Jewish, Sikh and Zoroastrian. Area City Mayors, community and business leaders joined in an effort to bring a sense of direction. INDEPENDENCE DAY RADIO SPECIAL - 2002, 2003 & 2004. "Najma & Mike Ghouse wish a very happy Independence Day to all the Indian and Pakistani people of the DFW Metroplex. As a service to our communities, we are pleased to proclaim August 2002 as a month of Celebration for India and Pakistan. Desi Masala Radio is pleased to dedicate an hour to India and Pakistan. From Monday to Friday 8AM –to 9AM through out the month of August. Mike and Najma Ghouse will present the history, culture, and politics, economy, regional round up, City beat, movies and cuisine. A summary of where we are heading and Of course, studded with Patriotic Songs. A Radio special to celebrate July 4th - a 3 hours interactive talk show radio sharing what America is all about, what is beautiful about America, the spirit of volunteerism, the sense of fairness... and much much more intertwined with 17 patriotic songs. Radio KBIS 1150. A month long independence special was run on the Radio stations – again simulcasted on 910 AM and 1150 AM. Details posted on website u/Mike Ghouse Show in the years 2002 and 2003.Celebrating Freedom of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka – A Month Long program in August 2004 In this month long program, I will be presenting information about our civilization, history, culture, religions, customs, traditions, traditional and new forms of entertainment, foods, clothes, places to visit, politics, economy, regional round up, City beat, movies and cuisine. A summary of where we are heading and of course, studded with Patriotic Songs of both India and Pakistan. Showing the bigness of their heart, showing the pureness of their hearts - Indians have sung Pakistani patriotic songs on August 14th and Pakistani's have sung Indian Patriotic Songs. People are always show their goodness when the politicians are not around. August 1947 kicked off the freedom movement in the Subcontinent and colonialism was rapidly replaced by indigenous governance. More nations have become free since the independence of the Indian Subcontinent than any other event in the History of Mankind. This month long program focuses on the meaning, essence and knowledge of the Subcontinent. CRICKET The "Annual Cricket Tournament- the Mike Ghouse Gold Cup" was established in 1996, which has paved the way to year-round cricket. Mayor Kirk declared Dallas as "The Cricket City of America". Mike was instrumental in putting Dallas on the World Cricket Map and has a dream of bringing an International cricket game to Dallas before 2005. Mayor Evan's Proclamation.
MEDIA: PRINT/TV/RADIO/WEB The Dallas Media has given opportunities to me in the print, tv, radio and webs. I have given up on putting together the list, it is too many entries... and when I am on vacation, I will update it.
All the links will be updated as and when we get the time. SUBCONTINENTIAN The word Subcontinentian is coined by Mike and is making the entry into the dictionaries around the world. A portal is under construction "Subcontinentian.com" that hopes to become a complete social, cultural, religious and civic resource for the subcontinent. DALLAS DESI HISTORIAN I have undertaken this project to write the History of Dallas Desi Community. It will take years for me to complete it, but complete I will. Insha Allah. If you or someone you know has the historical pictures from the DFW Metroplex, and stories written up in the Dallas Times Herald, Fort Worth Star Telegram and Dallas Morning News, please email it to me to make it part of our heritage. I prefer typed versions thru the email. The period between 1916 and 1960 is relatively easy to write. One Mr. Amir Khan made it to Dallas in 1916 and I am researching the whereabouts of this man who built a 2 Story building in Dallas in 1926. A rare thing to have happened at that time as any one who is non-white was not allowed to own the property.
H. M. AMIRKHAN BUILT AD 1926 - A common practice at that time to put the date on all the buildings. Then came a couple Dr. Riaz and Khalida Khan from Pakistan in 1952 and have lived in Richardson since then. Some time around 1997, Najma and I entertained our Seniors "An evening with the Desi senior citizens of Dallas/ Fort Worth" that brought together Seniors from all communities. A few pictures were taken and I'll have to dig all those pictures out and identify some of the legendary seniors who were recognized that evening. Mr. Ike Sekhon is one of the most known Indians in our community who arrived in Dallas in 1956, he has initiated several things for the community - the first India exhibit with Neiman Marcus, the first President of India Association, the founding members of Cricket in Dallas and on .. [ write up will come soon - with more surprising achievements of our pioneers. Mr. Kumar Pallana came in 1946 to New York and made it to Dallas towards the end of 50's. Mr. Pallana has acted in many a Disney movies, and his latest release in July 2004 is the "Terminal". He was on my Talk Show Radio in 1996-97 sharing the history of Dallas along with Dr. Kapadia, Yousuf Ali, Dr. Amanullah Khan, Dilip Shah and Raj Sharma, all of them the pioneers of Dallas. Mr. Simon Sargon, who is retired from the Temple Emanuel as the cantor, left India in 1932. He was profiled in my news paper Asian News Magazine in 1995. Since then he made a nostalgic journey to Bombay, his mother town. He is a remarkable and well respected gentlemen in the Jewish community of Dallas. Then In the 60's came Dr. Hasan Bukhari, Dr. Kapadia, Dr. Amanullah Khan, Dr. Ghate.... and I need to complete this list, don't I? If you know some of the earlier Desi's, please send me an email. On my Talk Show Radio, I ran the history of Desi Dallasites, titled The First Desi's in DFW, then the First Hindu's, the First Muslims... the Indians, the Pakistani's...in a Series of shows in 1996-97, and quite a lot of it is on tapes. I will have to write all of that into History. This will be a nostalgic journey of the People of the Subcontinent…In Dallas
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These are some of the most profound statements that have
affected my deeply.
Ray Bradbury "Until one is committed, there is hesitancy... Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.… Whatever you can do or dream that you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now." The Bhagvad Gita adds to the idea "let not the fruits of action be thy motive; neither let there be in thee any attachment to inaction". I am not driven by results in my pursuits of life (except business), I know what needs to be done to keep that balance to surround you, you do it without worrying about results. The Bhagvad Gita " Finding the truth is one's own responsibility". This has been one of the most inspirational statements in my life. It has turned things around for me and I write " If your Parents, Rabbi, Imam, Pundit, Pastor or preacher sows the seeds of hatred towards others, or even puts others' faith down, he or she is wrong in the first place and secondly he is poisoning your serenity of life" It led me to do research on Qur'aan and was quite shocked to see how Qur'aan has been deliberately mistranslated by the crusaders and then by the Muslim kings for purely securing their kingdoms. Shame on them for maligning the religion. 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 ." Aware of what you do, and if you know it, he knows it. I BELIEVE That the purpose of all faiths is to spiritually connect the humans with the divine, simply meaning understanding existence, the beginning and the ending. This brings peace of mind [release from misery] to the individuals and order in the society. I strongly support the goodness of each Religion. The political motivations have deliberately ascribed the wrongs of the world to religions, it is my commitment to identify the individuals responsible for it and uphold honor of each faith. To be religious is to be a peace maker, one who mitigates conflicts and nurtures goodwill.
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