2013 Ramadan - Join us to visit a Mosque a day, and every denomination

My fasting and my prayers are my business, and I am accountable for my own actions and not others', none whatsoever.  Here is my schedule for Ramadan this year, the fourth year with an intention to visit every possible Mosque and every possible denomination.However, to encourage understanding of others, I am writing this Blog with the intent of developing Intra-faith relationships. Each one of our denomination sticks to its own folks, and that is just fine, but unless we know about each other, we will always live in myths, distrust, and fear of others, other Muslims in this case. 

Islamophobia is a great example, Muslims know very well that the Neocon fears have no basis, but they simply get hyped up. Phobias do exist, and that is what makes them say stupid things. Aren't Muslims guilty of the same?

The rifts created by a few religious leaders among different Muslim denomination is disgusting, do we need to continue to subscribe to it or cut it out, right now?

If the leaders cannot unite us for doing good, they should not divide us either. Look at the non-sense propagated between Shia, Sunni, Ahmadiyya and others... 

Knowing each other does not imply that you  jump in and do what others do, or denigrate their others practices, it simply means you learn about others and accept them as they are. 

God has created each one of us and asks us know and learn about each other. Knowledge leads to understanding and understanding to acceptance of a different point of view and respecting the otherness of other amounts to honoring God, for it is he who created diversity intentionally. Indeed, knowing each other mitigates conflicts and nurtures goodwill resulting in peaceful societies. (Reference Quraan 49:13).

True fasting is self-purification; and from this, a rich inner life brings about values such as justice, generosity, patience, kindness, forgiveness, mercy and empathy - values that are indispensable for the success of the community.Consciousness of behavior and vigilance over action are the most profound dimensions of fasting: the fasting of the heart focuses on the attachment to the divine.

That is when Ramadan really becomes a source of peace and solace, just as Christmas goes beyond the rituals to bring forth kindness, charity and caring. For fasting to be truly universal, its benefits must extend beyond the fraternal ties of Muslims and must extend to forging a common humanity with others. Fasting is meant to impart a sense of what it means to be truly human, and its universality is reflected by its observance in Bahai, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Sikh, Wiccan, Zoroastrian, other faiths and importantly the native traditions.

This year again,  Insha Allah I will visit different Mosques. Mind you, each mosque within each denomination has slightly different practices, we have to have a big heart to respect their practices, if not what is the difference between you, me and a bigot? 

Alhamdu Lillah, I have been blessed to pray in all the three holy place of Muslims; Mecca, Medina and Aqsa, as well as the dome of the rock, and am looking forward, Insha Allah to visit all the holy Places of Muslims (not necessarily Islam, the religion).

You are welcome to join me by texting or talking at (214) 325-1916, at least an hour before iftaar, as I intend to shut down the phone.

HERE IS MY TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
============================


01. Tuesday, July 9 | 5:07 AM - 8:38 PM - Richardson Mosque
02. Wednesday, July 10 | 5:07 AM - 8:38 PM  
03. Thursday, July 11 | 5:08 AM - 8:37 PM
04. Friday, July 12 | 5:08 AM - 8:37 PM - 
05. Saturday, July 13 | 5:09 AM - 8:37 PM
06. Sunday, July 14 | 5:10 AM - 8:36 PM

Ramadan day 18 - office

Title - Ramadan day 18 - office -no write up today

Date - Monday, August 6, 2012 | Ramadan 18, 1433

Mosque - Office

Address - 2665 Villa Creek Dr, Suite 206, Dallas, TX 75234

Website -  http://www.WorldMuslimCongress.Org

Experience different traditions daily at:  www.RamadanDaily.com

Today�s Pictures:   No Pictures
 Iftaar Time today: 8:21 PM CST

Recommended reading listed below the note

Link to this piece:  

The Spirit of Ramadan - Eid Mubarak

Rituals signify the mile stones of our daily life. Every significant moment of the day is a ritual. It is an unwritten way of measuring our progression; a memory pattern to bring discipline to our actions.

From the moment we are born to the last rites of our life and every moment in-between is laden with rituals, though some of us may deny it. Whether we go to the gym, eat our food; go to sleep, wear clothes, drive some place, in our intimate moments, or picking that phone up, we follow rituals.

Discipline is necessary to do things on time, managing personal relationships, driving to a destination or keeping within budget to achieve the goals; the result is worth the discipline to most people. When joyous, whether we are a theist or not, we have to express that sentiment, otherwise a sense of incompleteness lingers in our hearts.
The Spiritual masters have captured the human gravity for rituals and have molded it with the art and science of self-discipline in their respective religion. The noble purpose of each one of them was to bring a balance in our lives and a balance with things that surround us; life and environment.

The Spirit;

Every faith is composed of a set of unique rituals to bring discipline and peace to human life. Fasting is one of the five key rituals that Muslims around the world observe.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is generally observed with a ritual precision; it is an annual training or a refresher. It requires one to abstain from food, drink, intimacy, ill will, ill talk, ill actions or any temptations from dawn to dusk, every day for a month. One has to rise above his or her baser desires. Islam gifts this month to its followers to inculcate discipline to bring moderation in their daily lives. Twenty five hundred years ago, Buddha, the enlightened one taught that human suffering is caused by unrestrained desire to own and had recommended a middle path, and the same recommendation was made by Prophet Muhammad fourteen hundred years ago.

Although Ramadan is popularly known in the West for its culinary delicacies and fancy Iftaar (ceremonial breaking of fast at sun down), the spirit and intent of Ramadan lies in a human transformation in a month long inner spiritual journey of finding oneself in tune with spirituality.

God has no need for the hunger or thirst of someone who hurts others, violates their dignity or usurps their rights, said Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The fasting of the stomach must be matched by the fasting of the limbs. The eyes, ears, tongue, hands and feet all have their respective fasts to undergo. The tongue's temptations, for example - lies, backbiting, slander, vulgarity and senseless argumentation - must be challenged and curbed to maintain the integrity of the fast.

Consciousness of behavior and vigilance over action are the most profound dimensions of fasting: the fasting of the heart focuses on the attachment to the divine. That is when Ramadan really becomes a source of peace and solace, just as Christmas goes beyond the rituals to bring forth kindness, charity and caring.

True fasting is self-purification; and from this, a rich inner life that bring about values such as justice, generosity, patience, kindness, forgiveness, mercy and empathy - values that are indispensable for the success of the community.

Knowing about hunger is different from knowing hunger. Empathy is not an intellectual equation; it is a human experience. Our hardness of heart often springs from our distance from the human condition of others. The poor, sick, disenfranchised, oppressed - we rarely walk a mile in their shoes, not even a few steps. "Rest assured," cautioned one teacher, "if you do not taste what it feels like to be hungry, you will not care for those who are."

For fasting to be truly universal, its benefits must extend beyond the fraternal ties of Muslims and must extend to forging a common humanity with others. Fasting is meant to impart a sense of what it means to be truly human, and its universality is reflected by its observance in Bahai, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Sikh, Zoroastrian and other faiths.

Ramadan will come and go with such stealth that we cannot but be reminded of our mortality. What is it that we value and why? Habits, customs, even obsessive behavior like smoking can be curtailed with relative ease in the face of a higher calling.

More:
Politics of Ramadan - http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/2011/08/politics-of-ramadan-on-moon-sighting.html
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Rituals of Ramadan - http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/2010/09/traditions-of-ramadan.html

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Spirit of Ramadan http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/2011/08/spirit-of-ramadan-eid-mubarak.html  
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Mike Ghouse is President of America Together foundation and is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day to the media and the public. He is a speaker thinker and a writer on the topics of pluralism, cohesive societies, Islam, interfaith, Justice and Peace. He is available to speak at your place of worship, work, school, college, seminars and conferences. Mike's work is reflected in 4 websites and 27 Blogs indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/ and his current writings at www.TheGhousediary.com

Iftaar food

Most of us go to the Mosques for iftaar (for breaking the fast) out of sheer feeling of a sense of community, food is secondary.

Most of this Ramadan, I have been visiting one mosque or the other, the food was great in general with a few exceptions; the food served seems to be something one dumps on the needy and not feed personal friends.

What is the need to serve food? If you are going to serve, serve it right, let it be out of love rather than for earning the elusive brownie points. In reality the love smothered food actually buoys one up than the dumped food. God knows and God sees it all, more than God you are accepting less than the deserved joy.

The best alternative is to serve dates, fruits and water. I would rather go and eat out as I have done frequently than share the meal that is less than good.

Mike Ghouse

8th day of Ramadan at Office

8th day of Ramadan,
Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Although I did not schedule to go any where today, I was thinking of going to the Richardson Mosque for Iftaar, I didn't, I stayed in the office and did the work to get ready to go.

Tomorrow, I will not be able to write as I will be on the plane towards Tel Aviv via Frankfurt, will do the Iftaar in the plane, I will have to calculate the sunset, it my be even visible from the plane.

God willing, I would break my fast at the AlAqsa Mosque on Saturday or Sunday, will update from Israel and Palestine.

Mike Ghouse

Third day of Ramadan, Carrollton again

Friday, August 13, 2010

3rd Day of Ramadan.

I decided to visit 29-30 Mosques this month for Iftaar, per my schedule I was to go to the Ahmadiyya Mosque in Allen this evening. While driving to Allen, I spoke with Mohammed Malik, the PR man for the Mosque in Allen, Texas and had an exchange with Dr. Jari Khan, president of the Center and moved the schedule to Sunday to attend their Dars (lecture), iftaar and the prayer.

I called Marzuk Jaami and Imam Shakoor to go to the Warith Deen Mohammad Mosque - they were out of town and the Public Iftaar is set for tomorrow. I guess, I will go there next week.

Then I was going to go to the Momin Center in Irving, the Shia Mosque, my friend told me that they will have the Iftaar after the evening prayer, that is almost an hour later. I thought of going to Madinah Masjid, in Carrollton, but instead due to time constraint, I went back to Carrollton Mosque for the 2nd time for Iftaar, really third time as I was there for the Friday prayers as well. At least 40 people attened the iftaar (breaking of fasting) with Dates, Water Melon and then later on enjoyed the Chicken Biryani (chicken fried rice).

Women from Nigeria and Somali wore colorful clothes and the eight of us from yesterday were part of the 40 some people today. Azhar Aziz, president of the Carrollton Islamic Council said Obama was hosting the Iftar at the white house tonite.

I see a lot of commonalities in my writings and Obama's speeches, indeed, prior to the elections and a month after that - I wrote the blog, a few days later he spoke the words, identical to mine. I feel good about it.

Here is the Obama Video and Speech, you appreciate his Pluralism

http://groundzeromosque.blogspot.com/2010/08/obama-supports-ground-zero.html

Second Day of Ramadan, Carrollton Mosque

2nd Day of Ramadan

August 12, 2010

I took this picture for the sake of Dr. Amina Wadud and Mona Eltahawy. Amina is writing a Blog on Ramadan, and she mentioned about a side entrance door for women where she went to pray. In this picture at the Mosque both the doors are at the front. The one on the right is for women. This picture was taken at 8:15 PM Local time just before breaking the fast.

During Ramadan, I make a point to go to just about every mosque in the Dallas/Forth Metroplex. This mosque is located away from everything as a result it remains busy on the weekends and literally a few during the weekdays.

There were about 8 people at the Mosque for Iftaar tonight, Thursday, August 12, 2010 at the Carrollton Mosque. I resisted taking the picture for the diversity it offered; A Bangladeshi, Somali, Pakistani, Mexican, Caucasian and the Indian (me) with two other kids, could not figure where they were from.

First day of Ramadan at Fox Studios

First day of Ramadan - August 11, 2010

I walked into the Fox Studios at 7:30 PM at 1201 Main, Dallas, Texas. It was on the 24th Floor and the Cameraman offered me a glass of cold water, which I kept on the table in the waiting room.

At 8:05 he got me on the seat and did all the audio video checking... powdered the forehead to cut down the shining.

I was carrying the bottle and set it on the table next to me. He kept looking at it, and offered another bottle if the water was not cold. I told him the water was fine but I was going to take a sip around 8:20 PM... I saw the puzzled look on his face, then I explained to him about the month of Ramadan and fasting. He was cool.

At 8:20 I took the sip and broke my fast for the day. Got back home and went straight to Taco Cabana to eat my dinner.

Mike Ghouse is a speaker on Islam and Pluralism offering pluralistic solutions to the media and the public on issues of the day. His blogs and sites are listed at www.MikeGhouse.net

My iftaar Schedule

RAMADAN 2012 SCHEDULE - III YEAR

My fasting and my prayers are my personal business, and I am accountable for my own actions and not others', none whosoever.

However, to encourage understanding of others, I am writing this Blog with the intent of developing Intra-faith relationships. Each one of our denomination sticks to his own folks, and that is just fine, but unless we know about each other, we will always live in myths, distrust, and fear of others.

Islamophobia is a great example, Muslims know very well that the Neocon fears have no basis, but they get hyped up, and phobias do exist, and that is what makes them say stupid things. Aren't we guilty of the same? Look at the fear of Iran and Saudi Arabia among themselves.

Knowing each other does not imply that you  jump in and do what others do, or denigrate their others practices, it simply means you learn about others and accept them as they are. 

God has created each one of us and asks us know and learn about each other. Knowledge leads to understanding and understanding to acceptance of a different point of view and respecting the otherness of other amounts to honoring God, for it is he who created diversity intentionally. Indeed, knowing each other mitigates conflicts and nurtures goodwill resulting in peaceful societies. (Reference Quraan 49:13).

True fasting is self-purification; and from this, a rich inner life brings about values such as justice, generosity, patience, kindness, forgiveness, mercy and empathy - values that are indispensable for the success of the community.Consciousness of behavior and vigilance over action are the most profound dimensions of fasting: the fasting of the heart focuses on the attachment to the divine.

That is when Ramadan really becomes a source of peace and solace, just as Christmas goes beyond the rituals to bring forth kindness, charity and caring. For fasting to be truly universal, its benefits must extend beyond the fraternal ties of Muslims and must extend to forging a common humanity with others. Fasting is meant to impart a sense of what it means to be truly human, and its universality is reflected by its observance in Bahai, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Sikh, Wiccan, Zoroastrian, other faiths and importantly the native traditions.

Last year, I had invited a people of diverse religions to my house for Iftaar, this year, Insha Allah I will visit diffrent Mosques. I have not sought permission from the Ismaili Jamaat Khana and the Bohra Mosque and I do hope I get the permission to break the fast with them.

Alhamdu Lillah, I have been blessed to pray in all the three holy place of Muslims; Mecca, Medina and Aqsa, as well as the dome of the rock masjid. 

During the weekdays, I will hit most of the same denominations, for example on the weekends, I will visit all the denominational mosques, and during the weekdays, the other Mosques of the same denominations.  You are welcome to join me by texting or talking at (214) 325-1916, at least an hour before iftaar, as I intend to shut down the phone.

2012 RAMADAN SCHEDULE

July 20 - Friday, Carrollton Mosque
July 21 - Saturday, Richardson Mosque
July 22 - Sunday, Plano Mosque
July 23 - Monday, 
July 24 - Tuesday, 
July 25 - Wednesday,
July 26 - Thursday,
July 27 - Friday, 
July 28 - Saturday, River Road, Mosque, Louisville
July 29 - Sunday, Mosque in Louisville, 
July 30 - Monday, 
July 31 - Tuesday,
Aug 01 - Wednesday, 
Aug 02 - Thursday, 
Aug 03 - Friday,  Ahmadiyya Mosque, Allen
Aug 04 - Saturday, Bohra Mosque, Irving
Aug 05 - Sunday, Shia Mosque, Irving
Aug 06 - Monday, 
Aug 07 - Tuesday, 
Aug 08 - Wednesday, 
Aug 09 - Thursday, WD Deen Muhammad 
Aug 10 - Friday, Sufi Mosque, Murphy
Aug 11 - Saturday, Tarrant County Mosque
Aug 12 - Sunday, South Lake Mosque
Aug 13 - Monday, 
Aug 14 - Tuesday, 
Aug 15 - Wednesday, 
Aug 16 - Thursday, 
Aug 17 - Friday, Watauga Mosque,
Aug 18 - Saturday, 

========================================================

2011 SCHEDULE
Need to copy it from the Archives 

========================================================

2010 SCHEDULE I YEAR

http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-iftaar-schedule.html

Aug 11 - Fox Studios, Dallas
Aug 12 - Carrollton Mosque, Carrollton
Aug 13 - Ahmadiyya Mosque, Allen,
Aug 14 - FunAsia and friends, Richardson,
Aug 15 - Shia Mosque..., Carrollton,
Aug 16 - Deen Mohammad Mosque, Dallas,
Aug 17 - Irving Mosque, Irving
Aug 18 - Undecided
Aug 19 - Airport/Frankfurt
Aug 20 - Mosque/ Tel Aviv
Aug 21 - Al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem
Aug 21 - undecided
Aug 22 - Mosque, Jerusalem
Aug 23 - undecided
Aug 24 - undecided
Aug 25 - New York
Aug 26 - Richardson Mosque
Aug 27 - Ismaili Jamat Khana, Plano
Aug 28 - Bohra Mosque, Irving
Aug 29 - Madina Masjid, Carrollton
Aug 30 - Makkah Masjid, Garland

And on September 11, if Ramadan still continues, Insha Allah, I will break the fast across the Church in Florida, where they are burning the Quraan and pray for Pastor Jones good will. Can some one go there and do the right thing? Or I will be happy to make the pilgrimage, does any one has miles that can buy me the ticket to go to Florida - in the afternoon, and hope to return right back or first things Sunday Morning to do the Unityday progam in Dallas on 12th - http://www.unitydayusa.com/

About Quraan Burning:
http://mikeghouseforamerica.blogspot.com/2010/08/quraan-burning-church-and-solutions.html

The politics of Ramadan

Friday, August 13, 2010

The politics of Ramadan
Fasting begins for Muslims; the politics of Ramadan
This article is published at Washington Post Washington Post as, "The essence of Ramadan is to become
Humble"http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2010/08/the_essence_of_ramadan_is_to_become_humble.html

Muslims around the world will begin fasting from Wednesday, August 11, 2010 and for a whole month thereafter, however, for some it will begin only if the moon is sighted.

Since the beginning of Islam, there have been debates as to what constitutes moon sighting. Some interpret that there has got to be a minion to declare that they have seen it themselves with their own eyes, where some others do not accept it unless they have seen it themselves. In the United States there is an organization that monitors moon sighting called the Hilal committee. At one time it was acceptable if the moon was sighted elsewhere, but now, each group has to have their own moon sighting.

Politics runs deeply in our communities, be it a Temple, Synagogue or a Church, Mosques are no different. A few scientifically-inclined-Muslims have adopted NASA�s calculation, believed to be precise. However, four different traditions are operative concurrently; i) Strictly Calendar, ii) NASA and iii) Sighting with bare eyes and iv) Sighting by others in the community.

The NASA-oriented and the Calendar-group misses out the fun, joy and exhilaration of waiting and watching the needle thin moon on the horizon. The whole family gets out on the roof tops, or higher grounds, some even climb electric poles, and a few will drive out where they can see the sky without obstacles, kids would climb up on parent�s shoulders, and a few run from place to place shouting in excitement, did you see? It is like the belief in Santa Claus, Angels and other myths, each tradition fulfills one�s emotional needs and every one becomes sentimental. After all, if celebration does not have the excitement, it is less of a celebration.

America�s spirit of freedom touches every soul, no matter what religion or tradition they follow. American Muslims are no different, they prefer to have a pre-set date to start fasting and the celebration called �Eid� pronounced as Eeed as in Eeel. The idea is for them to take a day off from work or get an optional day off for their children from the schools. Always, the joy multiplies when the family and friends celebrate it together. They prefer not wait for the moon to show up to the bare eyes.

The conflict is the same every where on the earth. Each group subscribes to one of the four systems mentioned above. America is no different; you will find celebrations on one or three different days in any given city, the Sunnis, being the largest group has the greater division within, while the Shias, Ismailis, WD Mohammad, Bohra and Ahmadiyya follow the pre-determined dates. The consensus may be attributable to having central spiritual leadership in all groups except the Sunni. However like the American Public wishes to see the Republicans and Democrats drop the party lines and focus on what is good for America, the Muslims also wish they could celebrate the Eid on one single day. It ain�t going to happen, it is human to differ.It is against the spirit of Ramadan to denigrate, diminish and devalue other practices. The essence of Ramadan is to become humble, simple and free from ill-will, anger, meanness and hate. Let�s fill our hearts with goodwill and honor Ramadan by saying �Eid Mubarak� or Happy Eid to every one who celebrates on a different day in the same town. The essence of Ramadan is joy and let�s not prick any one�s bubble; God has not signed a pact with any one behind others back, let�s rejoice the differences of interpretations. If you want to celebrate every day, go to every celebration.

In the spirit of Ramadan, I pray that Ramadan gets into our hearts and minds and make us embrace all factions of Muslims without undermining their tradition and further pray that we treat every human on the earth with dignity, respect and care.

That is indeed the wisdom expressed in 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 God, is the best in conduct. God Knows and is Aware of everything you do."

The Next article is �The Rituals of Ramadan� followed by the �Spirit of Ramadan�.Ramadan Mubarak.

Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker and a Writer on Islam and Pluralism and is a frequent guest at Media offering pluralistic solutions to the issues of the day. His work is listed on 22 of his blogs and two websites listed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/