In this issue

1. Fake Saviors of Hinduism
2. Hindu Americans score big in educational attainment
2. Muharram, the Muslim New Year
3. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New year
4. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi
5. Congratulations to Anshdeep Singh Bhatia
6. Happy Paryushan – a Jain Festival
7. 9/11 My Personal Journey
8. Israel Palestine Mutual Democracy video
9. Mistakes Muslims have made
10. Busting Myth about Hinduism and Islam
11. What do we do at Center for Pluralism
12. Please donate

This 5778th year of Jewish Calendar begins on September 11, 2018.
Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates in the Yom Kippur holiday, also known as the Day of Atonement. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the two “High Holy Days” in the Jewish religion. More at https://centerforpluralism.com/the-spirit-of-rosh-hashanah/

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Happy Ganesh Chaturthi

Among Hindus, there is a beautiful tradition of invoking that aspect of God which removes barriers and paves the way for a smoother life. The icon that represents this aspect of God is known as Ganesh, Ganesha, or Vinayak depending on the region, most Hindus around the world invoke Ganesh before they start anything in life from starting their day, to opening a new business or wearing new clothes or starting a social ceremony. More at https://centerforpluralism.com/spirit-of-ganesh-chaturthi/

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The Center for pluralism welcomes the induction of Anshdeep Singh Bhatia, the first turbaned Sikh to be included in the US President Donald Trump’ security team. Pluralism is inclusion and respecting the otherness of the other; we are on the right track with occasional detours. More at https://centerforpluralism.com/congratulations-to-anshdeep-singh-bhatia-the-first-sikh-in-trump-security/

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Paryushan is an annual festival that Jains celebrate all around the Globe, it is either seven or nine days celebration depending on the sect; Swetambra or Digambra, they observe fasting for seven days or 9 days and conclude it on Dus laxan. Throughout the days they observe the fast, they abstain from ill-will, ill-thought, and ill-actions, just as Muslims do for a month in Ramadan. It is a beautiful way of refreshing our souls on an annual basis.  More at https://centerforpluralism.com/paryushan-a-jain-festival-of-forgiveness/

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Over 100 civic, business, religious and community leaders from Dallas/ Fort Worth on my Radio show that day- Here is the live video – https://www.facebook.com/Dr.MikeGhouse/videos/10160928389970249/?t=6

Dallas, Texas. About 10:00 in the Morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, I was called in by AM Radio 1150 to address the situation; and 950 AM also joined in to simulcast the program. The great tragedy had left everyone speechless and had frozen everyone from doing anything. I was shaking but was committed to make sense out of the chaos and bring coherence to the day, and pave the way for relevant actions, among them are – donating blood, holding interfaith prayers and donating funds to the victim’s relief.

9/11 is one of the most significant days of my life, and I have made a lifetime commitment to dedicate this day, every year to serve my nation by bringing Americans together for the safety and security, and peace and prosperity of America.

As a Muslim, I am deeply committed to America, the land of the brave and the free with liberty and justice for all.

 

Unity Day USA is about re-affirming our faith in the goodness in humanity, and the longing for harmony and co-existence. The rituals include but are not limited to Native American, Atheist, Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Earth-traditions, Hindu, Muslim, Jain, Jewish, Sikh, Wicca and Zoroastrians; thus it is an all-inclusive event.

As Americans, we uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our constitution. Our faiths reinforce the idea of one nation with liberty and justice for all.

Full story at – https://centerforpluralism.com/9-11-unity-day-usa-my-story-is-your-story/======================

I am pleased to share a lengthy but meaningful video by Josef Avatar, President of the non-profit organization “Israel Palestine Confederation” of which I am one of the Board Members.

The peace process is not an easy one – in the last 25 some years that I have been actively involved in the community building, I have found extremists on both sides of the issue and along moderates among us, not in Israel or Palestine, but right here in America.

Reuven Rivlin, the President of Israel, likes the ides of the Israel Palestine Confederation and has talked about it in several of his speeches.

Full Story and Video at – http://israel-palestine-dialogue.blogspot.com/2018/09/israel-palestine-mutual-democracy-video.html

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Mistakes Muslims have made 

I will finish writing the book this weekend, thanks to Hurrican Florence for keeping me in. The book lays out the mistakes Muslims have made and how to fix them.

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We are still working on the program, a few Hindus and Muslims are not ready to face the ugly side of us, they don't even to talk about it. But I believe in the moderate majority of Hindus and Muslims who want to face things, talk about it, clean their minds about each other and move on and hand a clean platter to the next generation, so they can live tension free.

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What do we do at the Center? 
https://centerforpluralism.com/what-do-we-do-at-center-for-pluralism/

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