Pluralism News, April 8, 2018

Originally Published at: http://centerforpluralism.com/good-news-from-the-center-for-pluralism-april-8-2018/

Pluralism is an attitude of “Respecting the otherness of others” and “accepting the God-given the uniqueness of each one of us.” You are who you are and I am who I am, neither one of us has to compromise the uniqueness of our faith, race, culture, nationality, and language.  Our purpose is to acknowledge the differences and live with least conflicts.

We are a non-profit organization and your donations are appreciated. http://centerforpluralism.com/donate/

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR | QAWWALI KI RAAT

The Center for Pluralism appreciates the community for their support in working its goals of integration, where each one of us feels included and safe. We appreciate the community for their support in working its goals of integration, where each one of us feels included and safe.

• Saturday, June 16, 2018, Washington DC
• Saturday, June 23, 2018, Dallas, TX

Most of you have enjoyed the Qawwalis, a South Asian tradition of group singing with audience participation.  This unique program will start out with the most popular Qawwalis, followed by QawwalIs to reflect Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Christian, Muslim, and Secular traditions. We are finding the Qawwalis for other traditions as well.

Date and time is set, please RSVP https://www.eventbrite.com/e/appreciation-dinner-with-qawwali-entertainment-tickets-44958694666

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INDIA: ELECTIONS AND CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRACY – OPEN DISCUSSION

Speaker:      Dr. S.Y. Quraishi, The 17th Chief Election Commissioner of the Union of India
Where:         (XXX) The Capitol,
When:          Wednesday, May 2, 2018, 11:00 to 11:30 Remarks. 11:30-12:30 Q&A

The foundation of a democracy rests squarely on voting, the basis to ensure free choice, and if this can be handled all other things of democracy fall in place.  Managing the elections is one of the biggest responsibilities in a Democracy.

India has the largest electorate in the world. In the 2014 general elections, a whopping 814 million people were eligible to vote.  A total of 8,251 candidates contested for the 543 Lok Sabha seats. The average election turnout overall in nine phases was around 66.38%, the highest ever in the history of Indian general elections.  The counting exercise was held at 989 counting centers.

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/election-challenges-to-indian-democracy-tickets-44958465982

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HATE A MUSLIM DAY

April 2, 2018, Washington, DC – A handful of misguided individuals are expressing their hate for Muslims by organizing a day with multiple names like Punish a Muslim, Hate a Muslim, Hurt a Muslim. They said, wherever you see a Muslim, be it a child, senior citizen or a woman, hurt them including ripping the head scarf off a woman. That is their plan for Tuesday, April 3, 2018.

I believe in positive engagements and wore a sign that said, “ I am a Muslim, can I get a hug?” and walked around on Pennsylvania Ave, Constitution Ave, Independence and in front of the Supreme Court – it restored my faith in humanity. Lots of hugs, and lots of kisses on the sign – lipstick marks on the sign –  thank God, I don’t have a wife.  It was a great experience, I went nuts with it and will do it again if need be.

Full Press Release: http://centerforpluralism.com/hate-a-muslim-day-april-3-2018/
Full Video Message: https://www.facebook.com/MikeGhouse/videos/1866050610081467/?t=1

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POLITICAL PLURALISM

Securing Safe Zones for Refugees, a new Paradigm

Washington, DC, April 3, 2018 – Mike Ghouse with the Center for Pluralism presented a summary on “Securing Safe Zones for Refugees, a new paradigm.” Ambassador for religious freedom, Sam Brownback presided the meeting at Dirksen Senate Office building on Capitol Hill and about 100 individuals representing various organizations supporting religious freedom attended.

We need a drastic change in our policies; if we keep absorbing refugees elsewhere in different lands as they are forced out of their homes, we are essentially legitimizing the oppressors to throw anyone out without consequences.

What we need to do is create safe zones for the affected people and then work with the affected parties to restore sanity and harmony and build cohesive societies. It is not only cost-effective and preserves the social equilibrium of each nation but upholds the most cherished values of humanity, their dignity.
God willing, we will be working with Republican and Democratic congressmen to introduce the bill. It will be a bi-partisan bill. We hope to take this forward to bring about a positive change in the world. Someday in the future, no human will be evicted from his land.

If your group wants to hear the full story, I will be happy to discuss it.

http://centerforpluralism.com/securing-safe-zones-for-refugees-a-new-paradigm/

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FESTIVALS OF THE WORLD

This week: Cherry Blossom Festival

On Thursday, I was driving in a joyous mood towards home, the Doctor said, everything is stable! As I was passing passed thru Tidal basin in Washington thousands of people were walking around with happiness written all over their faces enjoying the bloom of cherry Blossom... damn, it was so uplifting!  You feel like singing and jumping unnecessarily… if you have not seen cherry blossoms in DC, you were not born at all.  

Here are two videos, they are ok. Next time, I’ll take them myself capturing the mood, smell, fragrance, the essence and the joy of being there. It’s a euphoric experience one should not miss

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGHS2SDTvTk
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq0BRilAqqY

04/08/18 – Passover Seder

This major Jewish festival lasts eight days and commemorates the liberation of the Children of Israel and their Exodus from slavery in Egypt. The highlight is the Seder meal, held in each family’s home at the beginning of the festival, when the story of their deliverance is recounted, as narrated in the Haggadah (the Telling, or the Story). Matzah, (unleavened bread) is eaten throughout the festival, as are other foods that contain no leaven (yeast). There is a significant spring cleaning in the home shortly before the festival to ensure that no trace of leaven is left in the house during Pesach. Coconut pyramids and matza balls (which are put in soups) are foods that might be eaten at this time. http://centerforpluralism.com/a-passover-seder-haggadah-supplement/

04/12/18 – Yom-HaShoah
A day of remembrance when Jewish people remember the six million Jews, including one and a half million children, who were victims of the Nazi Holocaust. Memorial candles are lit and special services are held. The date is chosen as the closest date (in the Jewish calendar) to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Images_HolocaustDay/HMD2006_ProgramReport.asp

04/12/18 – Baisakhi 

In 1699, on Vaisakhi, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Order of the Khalsa. Five men, who later came to be known as the Panj Piare (Five Beloved Ones), offered their lives when the Guru asked for volunteers. The ‘Five Ks’, the outward signs of Sikhism, were made obligatory and Sikh men took the name ‘Singh’ (lion) and women ‘Kaur’ (princess). The Order of the Khalsa was founded and the initiation ceremony, amrit, was introduced. http://centerforpluralism.com/happy-baisakhi/

04/13/18 – The Night of Meraj

This festival celebrates the journey of the Prophet Muhammad, in the tenth year of his Prophethood, from Makkah to Jerusalem, and through the heavens to the presence of God, all in one night.  Thank God, Muslims have accepted two versions of the story – one is literal and another one is the essence of the journey.

Festivals of the world

When we live as neighbors, we might as well learn about each other. The best way to build cohesive societies is for its members to understand each other’s sorrows and joys, and festivities and commemorations. Wouldn’t it be nice if you know a little bit about your neighbor’s festival and perhaps invite them to your celebrations to start safe neighborhoods by understanding each other? Every human and every religious group celebrates something or the other in their way, each one is different, but the essence is same; celebrations and commemorations. A simple language is used for most people to get a gist of it. Details are in the links.

A list of April Festivals, each week you will find a summary of the festivals of the week – http://centerforpluralism.com/festivals-of-the-world-april-2018/

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WHAT DO WE DO AT CENTER FOR PLURALISM?

It is all in a Summary form at http://centerforpluralism.com/what-do-we-do-at-center-for-pluralism/

Pluralism is an attitude of “Respecting the otherness of others” and “accepting the God-given the uniqueness of each one of us.” You are who you are and I am who I am, neither one of us has to compromise the uniqueness of our faith, race, culture, nationality, and language.  Our purpose is to acknowledge the differences and live with least conflicts.  Pluralism News is the weekly publication of the Center for Pluralism.  You can access this anytime through www.PluralismNews.com.  We will be happy to speak to your congregation, students, friends. We can conduct a workshop in building a cohesive community, workplace or a society.  Pluralism does not mean compromise or appeasement; it is simply a development of an attitude for living with others with least conflicts.  Please email to Mike@CenterforPluralism.com

We are a non-profit organization and your donations are appreciated. http://centerforpluralism.com/donate/

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RELIGIOUS PLURALISM

Hate a Muslim/ Hurt a Muslim Day

April 2, 2018, Washington, DC – A handful of misguided individuals are expressing their hate for Muslims by organizing a day with multiple names like Punish a Muslim, Hate a Muslim, Hurt a Muslim. They said, wherever you see a Muslim, be it a child, senior citizen or a woman, hurt them including ripping the head scarf off a woman. That is their plan for Tuesday, April 3, 2018.
Our Video Response: https://www.facebook.com/MikeGhouse/videos/1866050610081467/?t=1
Press Release: http://centerforpluralism.com/hate-a-muslim-day-april-3-2018/

Atheism – Number of Americans with no religious affiliations is rising

Exclusion is one of the items that break the societies. Once, I was denied membership in a multi-faith organization; they did not have a pigeon hole for me, an Atheist, in 1996. That’s when we formed the Pluralism organization to include every human except Cannibals; we would add them if they don’t us before we bring them aboard.  http://centerforpluralism.com/atheism-number-of-americans-with-no-religious-affiliation-is-rising/

Adivasi Religion, Government Body Cans Philosophy Meet

The right-leaning groups among Hindus have tried to impose their stamp of Hinduism on to those who do not consider themselves Hindus. One reason could be the RSS view that Adivasis are essentially forest-dwelling Hindus, or ‘Vanvasis’ and that their belief systems should not be treated as something independent of Hinduism. Indeed, to the extent to which Adivasi religious practices – especially in central India – do not conform to the Sangh’s idea of Hinduism, the organization has been using its network of schools and other organisations to ‘Hinduise’ them. https://thewire.in/education/objecting-to-papers-on-adivasi-religion-government-body-cans-philosophy-meet
Queen Elizabeth is related to Prophet Muhammad, so what?
So what if Queen Elizabeth is related to Prophet Muhammad, how does it matter?  Neither one gets elevated. In Islamic tradition, all are born equal, no one is superior to the other.  Even the notion of Royal blood is anathema to Islam, there is no such thing as Royal Blood or any blood to claim superiority of one over the other. http://worldmuslimcongress.org/queen-elizabeth-is-related-to-the-prophet-muhammad/

CULTURAL PLURALISM

Cultural Pluralism and Persistence in the Colonial Sierra Sur of Oaxaca, Mexico: Three Case. Studies. Stacie King … Sierra Sur, people in Nejapa and Tavela were already accustomed to making strategic choices about how to engage. … States, the islands of the Caribbean, and the continent of South America.  http://www.saa.org/Portals/0/SAA/Meetings/esymposium/Stacie_2018.pdf

Interfaith Marriages

Marriage is indeed an expression of a commitment to s relationship between two individuals.  The men and women who take the bold step to become one regardless of their origins, faiths, races, and ethnicities must be applauded. They are setting an example of how to live in harmony despite their differences.  Interfaith marriages are becoming the new norm of the society. In a few years, one out of two marriages would be of interfaith. Yes, this is across the board, whether you are a Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Baha’i, Atheist or the other. According to the Pew survey, 40% of people of faiths will be marrying a person of another faith; it is higher among Jews, it is 50%. Details at – www.InterfaithMarriages.org

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DONATE
We are a non-profit organization and your donations are appreciated. All that work takes time and we have to pay for the same. Please donate http://centerforpluralism.com/donate/ 

Mike Ghouse
Center for Pluralism
Washington, DC

Pakistan - Inculcating values of tolerance in society

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Greater efforts sought to inculcate values of tolerance in society

Courtesy - Daily Times

KARACHI: The first ever teachers’ expo, held under the aegis of ‘Badal Do’ initiative, concluded on Saturday with calls for collaboration to improve the sector education sector.

Speaking on the occasion, former federal minister Javed Jabbar said it was high time education departments of provincial governments were linked up with academic reform initiatives of the private sector so that their impact could be multiplied.

Teachers and students associated with government-run school systems, particularly those of the Sindh Education Foundation, should be made part of initiatives like ‘Badal Do’.

He said such initiatives were needed to inculcate values of tolerance, diversity, pluralism and civic responsibility among teachers.

The first panel, moderated by Rumana Hussain, was on the theme: ‘Is education all about textbooks and examinations?’

Educationist Saleem Mughal, Sheema Kirmani of Tehreek-e-Niswan, social activist Qurrat Mirza and Sana Barni of SABAQ were the panelists. They stressed the use of creative techniques as part of education and character building measures during schooling.

Another panel discussion was moderated by Afia Salam on the following theme: how well do students understand the world they live in?

Humaira Bachal of Dream Foundation Trust, Farieha Aziz of Bolo Bhi, Nazia Hasan of I Am Karachi, senior journalist Wusatullah Khan and Tasneem Ahmer of Uks Media and Research were the panellists. They highlighted that disparities in the education system of the country were preventing many students from realizing their full potential. However, they said how those who remained focused could still break down barriers, provided an enabling environment was provided to them.

Alongside these panel discussions, Badal Do Expo also featured graduation of the over 400 teachers based in Karachi in the first phase of a training. The participating schools were awarded shields by Shahnaz Wazir Ali, former special assistant to the prime minister and ex-chairperson of Higher Education Commission

Speaking on the occasion, she said the initiative had rightly targeted school teachers as they were the most effective agents of change in the society.

The expo showcased the work done by teachers during the training. Senior journalist Zubeida Mustafa inaugurated the exhibition of photographs taken during the training, reflecting on their perception of diversity and plurality. The photographic exhibition featured some of the best historical, cultural, and heritage sites of Karachi.

The short films made by them on social messages were also screened at the exhibition.

In the next phase, the ‘Badal Do’ initiative plans to target a broader community engaging the entire system of schooling including the management, teachers, and students, as well as parents, guardians and other community members, through involvement of 5,000 teachers in 300 schools of the city.

At the event on Monday, there were performances by Zambeel Readings, Tehreek-e-Niswan, Sounds of Kolachi, and The Sketches band, besides story telling sessions for children, and stalls by educational publishers and educational tools companies.

The expo ended with pledges by many schools to become part of the Badal Do way forward.

They all demanded for calling collaboration between government and citizens-based initiatives in the arena of education especially to improve school learning methodologies.

Published in Daily Times, February 27th 2018.

Pakistan - Discovering the True Meaning of Pluralism

Pakistan Pluralism

A few years ago, I received calls from Multan and Karachi about Pluralism, then we had three delegations from Pakistan as Department of State's guests with whom I spent half a day each sharing what Pluralism means and how the interfaith activities are carried forward here in the United States.

In September 2016, Syed Yaqoob Shah of Karachi, Pakistan and I worked on conducting seminars on Interfaith in Pakistan, my health did not permit me, but Shah Saheb made it happen and now he has taken interfaith activism to new heights and hosts a weekly show on Facebook. When Diwali was celebrated, he invited key Muslim religious leaders and we talked about eating the Prasad - food blessed in the name of God. For Hindus is it divine, for Muslims, it is just good tasting food given with affection and caring. Allama Muhammad Ashsan is another Aalim who is in the forefront of the Interfaith movement in Pakistan.  

Now in the last few months, there is a burst of activism in Pakistan about Pluralism, some great articles have been written about it. They are all here at the Center for Pluralism site which you can also access as www.PluralismNews.com - It is about Pluralism in religion, politics, society, and culture across the globe, particularly in places where there are more than two or three religious, political parties and ethnicities exist.

Mike Ghouse
Center for Pluralism

Courtesy of Wire, February 26, 2018
BY SAMEER SHAFI WARRAICH

In the rest of Pakistan, the Thar region is often shunned and ignored as the ‘other’.

A local chai dhaba on the Tharparkar highway

It came as no surprise that I found myself completely oblivious to what Thar had to offer. The images I had of the ‘other’ turned out to be a mere fragment of my own imagination.

I had heard stories of inter-religious harmony and pluralism bequeathing the region and always wondered, why has this become such an exception? Why does the rest of Pakistan choose to treat this sense of diversity as exotic? And why has one side of the border chosen to estrange itself from Thar while the other has embraced it? I wanted answers.

The quest began some 1,500 km away from my hometown, Rawalpindi, which used to be home to over 350 mandirsbefore Partition, but now has only one. I hoped this long journey to the desert wasn’t going to be a repeat of an illicit memory of the past. Hindus forgotten and disowned, in the land of the ‘pure’.

Sindhi trucks are slightly narrower and have a higher clearance than a usual Bedford truck, found in the rest of Pakistan. The truck art, however, is similar all over.

Thar Desert, or Tharparkar in Sindh, for millennials, is a name synonymous with horrific images of drought and famine. Many Pakistanis detached from Thar often think of this land as an anomaly when compared to the rest of the country. Alongside poverty and malnutrition, this desert invokes a sense of alienation amongst many citizens.
With a majority Hindu in population, still imbued with the deeply-rooted caste system, and frankly, ‘too close to India’, we have quite conveniently chosen to detach ourselves from this region that is a little obscure for an Islamic Republic.
This rather “impure” desert, known for infatuating locals with Morr, Mosiqi and Mahboob, has for long survived climatic hardships, numerous takeover attempts from warlords such as the Talpurs, a gruesome Partition and two wars between Pakistan and India. Surely, it can’t be disintegrated, in the religious sense, as easily as the rest of the country?
Similar to venturing into the unknown, Thar’s golden dunes of sand are akin to waves of an ocean, where one must delve into their depths to truly fathom the lure of this place. As I approached the region and started to interact with locals, I realised that beneath this sand lies a land with a rich history, immense pride and warm hospitality.
Stretching from the cradle of civilisation, the Indus Valley, to central India, the Thar is regarded as the only fertile desert in the world. It’s a region not only fertile for vegetation, but also for religious and cultural harmony.

One of many mandirs in Mithi, tucked behind old wooden doors and labyrinth streets.

My first stop, Mithi, where about 80% of the population is Hindu, is the commercial hub of Tharparkar. It doesn’t take long for one to notice the Hindu influence in the city, with houses adorned with ‘Om’s and colourful mandirs with deities perched on top of their entrances – a very different sight from the sacrosanct “MashAllah” emblem on every other house in Rawalpindi.
This bustling city, along with the succeeding towns of Islamkot and Nagarparkar, has been home to Hindus, Muslims and Jains for centuries, and witnessed large-scale migration both ways after 1947.
During my journey along the Tharparkar highway, I got glimpses of how the state has made concerted efforts to isolate itself from this place. There were periodic check posts, despite being more than 150 km away from the border. Occasional security officials, baffled as to why I would travel more than 1,000 km to see dilapidated mandirs, would often ask “Kia karo gey mandir dekh ker…masjid dekho, ziyada khoobsurat hai (What will you gain by touring mere temples, go visit the mosques, they’re prettier).” But we’re all used to this by now.
Even in major metropoles, a Muslim isn’t allowed into some of the gurduwaras and mandirs until prior permission has been granted by the Aukaaf Foundation. These checks have become routine, and never have I appreciated my career as a teacher more than in such instances. Play the history teacher card, put on my spectacles, throw in a sentence or two about embracing diversity and move on.
Despite the political confrontations 70 years ago and its dire consequences, Thar has continued to harbour inter-faith harmony. External influence has been minimal, partly due to the geographical remoteness and partly because of our decision to label the place and its people as ‘others’.
The more you explore, the more convinced you are that indeed it’s the people that make this place truly unique – the landscape is only secondary. After all, this, perhaps, is the only place in Pakistan where Muslims refrain from selling beef in the open, and where Hindus abstain from eating publicly during Ramadan, both out of mutual respect.
While the rest of Pakistan yearns for this mutual respect, the people of Thar have learned to embrace coexistence despite harsh realities. From this place where the soil is barren and capital scarce, we, the rest of Pakistan, have a lot to learn. Continuing to neglect this region for what it fosters might deprive us of our only prospect to see this country slowly canter towards a pluralistic society. This ‘other’ that we have shunned for so long is, possibly, the only hope for all of us – the true embodiment of live and let live.

Sri Krishna Mandir, located in the commercial hub of Mithi, provides solace to many who wish to take a break from the daily bustle of the city. The compound has a more residential feel to it than some of the other mandirs.

Gori Mandir. Built in 1375 C.E., this ancient Jain temple features rich Gujarati architecture. Jain pilgrims from across the world continue to frequent this place despite its dilapidated condition.

One of locals showing us the underground tunnel inside the Gori Mandir premises used to flee when faced with enemy armies.

According to local sources, frescoes at the Gori Mandir are some the oldest existing Jain frescoes in South Asia.

One of the 52 domes of the Gori Mandir. Despite being more than 700 years old, the main entrance dome still has paintings from Jain mythology.

Some parts of the temple are still used for worship.

The main dome of the mandir – now home to bats who rest underneath the structure during the day and haunt the temple by night.

A local makeshift tire shop in Thar desert.

Musicians of Tharparkar singing Sindhi folk songs.

Lakhan Bharti Mandir at the edge of Nagarparkar.

One of the pathways in Karoonjhar Mountains, perched on one side of Nagarparkar. Nagarparkar was a trading post used to trade with Kutch and Gujarat before the Partition

Sardhoro Mandir complex. An annual Hindu festival attracts hundreds of devotees who bring ashes and bones of the dead and submerge them in the pool (not shown in picture). The water is said to contain powers that can easily dissolve the bones.

Inside the main compound at Sardhoro, settled on top of Karoonjhar Mountain.

Choorio, the last village before the Pakistan-India border. One can easily see military patrol cars during the day and the lit-up border fence at night. Here, the kids are standing on top of a boulder that serves as a natural roof for Kali Temple.

A desolate mandir at Nagarparkar. From the wild vegetation around it, one can conclude this temple is perhaps not visited by any locals.

Approaching the Nagarparkar Bazaar Jain Temple.

Sameer Shafi Warraich lives in Rawalpindi and is a teacher, story scholar and a scholarship trustee. He has an interest in exhibiting unchartered places of Pakistan.

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