First
let me address the myth about Sean Hannity, and application of the
Quranic verse "Don't let your bias make you unjust towards the other" in
this situation. Hannity is a defender of freedom and you would
appreciate him, when you grasp the full meaning of freedom in its
entirety.
In February 2013, Sean had called in 25 individuals for
his show that included Representatives Peter King, Louis Goehmert,
Ambassador John Bolton, and others including me, Mike Ghouse.
In
the middle of taping another segment, Sean asked me to join him on the
stage, while 23 others were sitting across on the bleachers. To
paraphrase him (short version), "You are the only Muslim friend I
know... and today I will do something for you that you have been asking
for in the last three years.... from now on I will not use the word
'Muslim terrorists' and instead call it Terrorists among Muslims, would
that make you happy?" Hell yes! I gave him a big salute while others
cheered on.
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrilgYRauZY
Muslims don't have to love him, but should not hold any bias against him. I am glad that topic came up today, though we did not elaborate, we touched up on it and here I am, writing about it. Just wanted to add, that CAIR team was vehemently opposed to my presence on Hannity and we had some fiery words about it, and finally Ibrahim Hooper had apologized to me. I have defended the need for CAIR, just as there are Jewish, Sikh, Hindu and others have their own CAIRS defending the civil rights of the respective groups. I will continue to do that despite their attitudes towards me. They simply do not understand the power of engagement.
Personally, it is a mission accomplished - we place the blame where it belongs; the individuals and not religion. We (Muslims) cry out loud to "see the change" and it won't happen unless we engage with people who differ with us. Mother Teresa had once said, if you want to make peace, go talk with your enemies; indeed Mother, you are right! Gandhi had said, if you want a change, be a part of it. Both are my mentors.
Listen to Hannity carefully, he is not against Islam or Muslims, but against the radicals among us, which all of us Muslims (minus radicals) are against but don't speak up in strong terms on a national or international microphone.
I would venture to say that, even the stance taken by Brigitte Gabriel, Pamela Geller, and others is not against Muslims, though their language is not palatable; they are activists and are outraged by lack of demonstrations by Muslims against the radicals, even though they have their own agenda. Unless I find information otherwise, I stand with my take.
The radicals among us are frightening not only to Muslims but to everyone else. I would go on to say that even Jamie Glazov's bias against Islam is not deep rooted, but stems from reading the wrong translations of Quran, and shamefully, beefed by the false assertions of radical Muslim scholars in the past which do not contribute to peaceful societies. As Muslims we have to fix the wrongs of Sharia Law and understand the Genesis of Sharia law to rebuild cohesive societies where no human has to live in fear of the other.
I would rather have many Hannitys in the world who keep every one on their toes than have sycophants who let the governments and groups become complacent and make mistakes to the detriment of the very public they serve.
This will be my 90th show with Hannity over a period of four years. Please remember, I am from Texas, and slow in responding to the fast pace of Hannity, but yet, I have always made a few points, and with humility I acknowledge that I was a disaster a few times and Hannity had beat me up, partly due to technical difficulties in the studios and partly my slowness. I will do well face-to-face with Hannity than via satellite, where I don't see any one of them but looking into the camera with no one to see, and when I don't see them, I don't get the cue.
I am getting a lot of hate mail since yesterday, and several of them have attacked me on Twitter and their own sites. "I hate this @MikeGhouse ....... @.... ! He spikes my blood pressure! Makes me clean and oil my rifle! It is a Norinco SKS." I feel sorry for them for not having the stomach for a different point of view.
Some others have jumped about my support (or lack of denouncement) of ISNA, as if that is the only problem they have, in which case it is not bad. Their charge is based on accusations of co-conspirators, which is not true, as it has been cleared by the courts. ISNA is a good clean organization. However, I do have a gripe with ISNA's priorities. Twice, I have submitted proposals to give presentations in their annual conference - "How to become a Mayor", "how to be participants and contributors towards the well being of America", that ultimately benefits all of us, and "what does it take for us to change", but it gets run down by their bureaucracy. I understand their priorities are different, but I would place my priority on what Prophet Muhammad taught, the very foundation of Islam; to be the Amins (the Jews, Christians, Pagan and other neighbors called him "Amin" for his truthfulness, kindness, caring and justness) of the society where he built relations with every one around him, that is how we build cohesive societies that function effectively, indeed that is the purpose of religion, all religions. Religion should not be barrier to be friends with neighbors. God emphasizes in the Quran (at least 18 verses) with a tag line - the best among you is the one who cares for my creation, and I know who cared for his neighbors.
I will however present a national proposal, hopefully in Huffington Post before Ramadan about what we can do, or if Sean wants to do it on his show, I will present the proposal. I hope they listen, if not, we have to get the grass root movement to pick it up the steam and go on with or without the support of National Muslim organizations. We have to be engaged, and we have to become major contributors towards the safety, security and prosperity of America, we have to do more than our share to be equals.
And now about the sparks
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